MOVIE REVIEW - Unstoppable

The new action flick Unstoppable opens this weekend, and it does not disappoint.

Unstoppable is the runaway train movie you've heard about, based on true events a couple of years ago. Human error somehow gets a locomotive complete with a ton of cars attached running unmanned down a main line in rural Pennsylvania. As it heads towards more populated areas, the 70mph train of course becomes seemingly "unstoppable." How will they get this under control, without huge loss of life, and real destruction?

Denzel Washington stars as the 28 year veteran engineer, and Chris Pine is the rookie, and they fall into the middle of the plot to be our heroes and get this train stopped. There is a real fine performance too from Rosario Dawson, as the Yard Manager, and the rest of the supporting cast is unknown and adequate.

But Unstoppable is a real nice. exciting movie with a story that isn't told every day. This movie gets you right in the middle of it, without making you wait 30 minutes for them to develop some kind of ancillary story line. They get right to it, and deliver what you paid to see. Wonderfully filmed, with some real breath taking action, and some heart pounding and heart breaking scenes. Plus, it takes us to places we seldom could go. In the pulse center of a rail yard, and in the cab of a speeding 10 million pound train.

Unstoppable is not perfect. There is some real poor dialogue, and it's a bit campy at times. Also there is this focus on the news media and their coverage of it. And in and out, the reporters in the movie act as narrators, and that really doesn't work. Bad choice. Also, a bit too much "good guy, bad guy" too, but it's not a deal breaker. Unstoppable says you're going to see some really well done, real life action, and you do.

Washington has really reinvented himself recently as a "thinking mans" action hero, and I like it. He's solid here and easy to watch. And he is the glue. Unstoppable is solid, but just as The Book Of Eli did, Unstoppable needs Washington to succeed. And both do.

Unstoppable. Exciting and very well done. Go for the ride!