Rating: PG-13
Starring:
Denzel Washington as Frank
Chris Pine as Will
Rosario Dawson as Connie
Ethan Suplee as Dewey
Kevin Dunn as Galvin
Kevin Corrigan as Inspector Werner
Kevin Chapman as Bunny
Lew Temple as Ned
T.J. Miller as Gilleece
Jessy Schram as Darcy
David Warshofsky as Judd Stewart
Andy Umberger as Janeway
Elizabeth Mathis as Nicole
Meagan Tandy as Maya
Directed by Tony Scott
Special Features:
Audio Commentary with Director Tony Scott
The Fastest Track: Unleashing Unstoppable
Other Info:
Widescreen (2.40:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Spanish and French Languages
Spanish Subtitles
Running Time: 98 Minutes
The Details:
The following is the official description of the film:
“Hang on for the ride of your life as Oscar Winner Denzel Washington and Chris Pine (‘Star Trek’) team up for the year’s most electrifying action-thriller. A runaway train, transporting deadly, toxic chemicals, is barreling down on Scranton, Pennsylvania, and only two men can stop it: a veteran engineer (Washington) and a young conductor (Pine). Thousands of lives hang in the balance as these ordinary heroes attempt to chase down one million tons of hurtling steel and prevent an epic disaster. Helmed by visionary director Tony Scott (‘Man on Fire’), this story inspired by true events delivers excitement and suspense that are – Unstoppable!”
“Unstoppable” is rated PG-13 for sequences of action and peril, and some language.
Mini-Review:
As far as action movies go, “Unstoppable” is a pretty entertaining one. A runaway train is a compelling set piece for an action-adventure and director Tony Scott takes full advantage of it. You get all sorts of dramatic shots of the train barreling through vehicles on the tracks, people trying to jump on board to stop it, and speeding views from helicopters. The fact that the train is loaded with highly explosive chemicals increases the tension of the scenes. While the movie does take a bit of artistic license, it’s something that could easily happen in the middle of any community next to a railroad track. And this is based on actual events which makes it that much more compelling.
It helps that Scott has an excellent cast that makes you care for the characters. Like he does in every movie, Denzel Washington dominates the screen as Frank. He’s a man that’s very good at his job and when everything hits the fan, his skills combined with determination are what is needed to save the day. He’s partnered with Chris Pine as Will, a rookie train conductor. Pine isn’t as dynamic as he was in “Star Trek,” but he holds his own with Washington. And while Rosario Dawson isn’t in the middle of the action with the boys, she still plays a critical role as Connie. She guides the efforts to stop the train from her command center. The cast is rounded out by favorites like Ethan Suplee, Kevin Dunn, and T.J. Miller.
As you watch the movie, you can’t help but start to think of ways they should try and stop the train. You think, “Shoot out the gas tank! Jump on it from a speeding truck!” “Unstoppable” addresses some of these ideas but not others. The more you pick it apart, the less fun it is. You pretty much have to turn your brain off and go along for the ride. But that’s awfully hard to do as the movie has a rather anticlimactic and kind of silly ending. When it happens, you think, “What? That’s how you stopped the train? Why didn’t you do that 45 minutes ago?”
If you’re looking for a fun popcorn flick, “Unstoppable” is well worth checking out. But leave your analytical mind at the door as you start watching it.
At first glance it doesn’t look like there are all that many bonus features on this DVD, but the main featurette included covers quite a lot of material. It’s about half an hour long and covers the filming of the train action in great detail. They discuss how they found locations, the helicopters used to film the movie, the train wreck scene, and more. About the only thing they don’t discuss is the actual event the movie was based on. Interviews with the cast are also a tad sparse, but fans of “Unstoppable” should be pleased with this featurette. An audio commentary is also included.
