Unstoppable

Let’s face it: trains are not that exciting. Sure, they play background roles, like in Mission Impossible or Harry Potter, but I’ll have to admit the time that Mr. Rogers took us on a field trip to learn more about trains this little tyke fell asleep. As soon as I heard about an entire movie devoted to trains and train incidents, I immediately decided that it was not worth the time; however, when names like Denzel Washington and Chris Pine are thrown in the mix, things tend to get a little more exciting.

Pretty much the idea behind Unstoppable is that Will (Chris Pine) is a newly stated conductor working with a 28-year experienced engineer, Frank (Denzel Washington), who happens to loathe how the fresh blood are taking the jobs from the older generation. Frank spends the day critiquing and criticizing Will and Will obviously doesn’t take it well. Meanwhile a fat dullard of an engineer, Dewey (Ethan Suplee), makes the mistake of leaving a slowly but surely moving train in order to pull a switch on the tracks. While he is pulling the switch a lever on the train slips, sending the train onward while gaining speed. This train surprisingly has thousands of gallons of molten phenol (which is some product used in glue) and is highly toxic. See the fun part yet? Rather large moving train outta control? You add molten phenol into the mix and you have yourself a movie...ish.

Washington and Pine do a great job portraying Frank and Will, even if the characters are a tad one dimensional. The movie tries to have a back story with both main characters but it really does not pan out. What makes this movie great is the fact that it is actually based on a true story concerning a runaway train in Ohio that also had the phenol problem. Obviously this movie exaggerates many parts from the actual story, but the main plot is the same: stop da train before it destroys a town full of people. Many attempts are made (which drastically fail) and in the end it is up to Frank and Will (what a shocker). I’ll admit I was very skeptical when this movie first came out, yet it truly delivers the goods. It was also good to see Frankie the Enforcer (an old Boy Meets World character) reprise his role as a lumbering fat guy with little sense. There are enough action scenes and dramatic sequences situated in the movie to keep you on the edge of your seat. Most of all, knowing that it sticks very close to an actual event that took place and has a great ending should be enough to get you in the theaters. This reviewer gives Unstoppable 4 out of 5.

Content Advisory

Sex/Nudity

Not too bad. The most that happens is that Chris pine has only boxers on in the opening scene. Thankfully he adds clothes instead of taking them off.

There are scenes at Hooters where Frank’s daughters work. Although these scenes are quick, there are some skimpy clothes that them womens wear.

Violence & Gore

Surprisingly there are not too many scenes of violence or gore. There are some shocking scenes in which people are injured or killed, yet this guy can’t go too in depth without spoiling the movie. Just be prepared, even though it isn’t too extreme.

Profanity

Language is bad at times. Let’s just say they try to get as much in that can be warranted under PG-13. The f-bomb is dropped and some birds are flipped, so to speak. Other uses have God as an adjective, which clearly makes this an adult movie.

Frightening/Intense scenes

Again, there are very suspenseful scenes in the movie that make it worthwhile. It cannot really be described without spoiling the movie itself (as these scenes are not plentiful but are intense). There are exploding trains, train jumping, and even gunfire (which is comical at the same time). Nothing too far with the intensity but you may leave your seat with sweaty palms and finger imprints in the chair.