Unstoppable

I was told going into this movie that it was like “Speed” except with a train. I agree with that comparison but unlike “Speed”, director Tony Scott gives this movie a much more realistic feel. One should note that “Unstoppable” is based on true events and not on a true story. Besides that, the action and intensity of the film create a very entertaining experience. The film has relation to a buddy picture, which I think is all to the good.

The actual incident was nowhere near as dramatic, thus the tag: “Inspired by True Events”. The real life accident took place in Ohio, the train was actually travelling at 47 miles per hour and the train was slowed from behind to 11 miles per hour so that one man only had to run along the train to the unmanned locomotive to shut it down. There also appears to be no elevated curve mentioned in the actual event. The film did stay true to many elements of the original story. The heroic locomotive was crewed by only a veteran engineer and a rookie conductor. The casting therefore is an example of life imitating art. Hollywood icon and two-time Oscar-winner Denzel Washington plays the experienced engineer while Chris Pine, who is new to the genre but also famous because of “Star Trek”, performs the rookie conductor. The two actors worked well together. I love Washington’s laugh when he finds out that he was right about the derailer. We believe Frank knows what he is doing because of Washington’s established persona. The film’s use of news footage is what gives it most of its realistic nature as does its Oscar-nominated sound editing.

I like the story of the film because the train lives up to the title of the movie. One of the best lines in the film describes the train as a missile the size of the Chrysler Building. The use of the other train with the children on it establishes the kind of close calls that we will see later on in the film. The editing during the scene when #1206 passes #777 is well done. As mentioned earlier, the film is like a buddy picture in that two guys who have issues between them have to work together to save lives. I like how the film takes time for the two main characters to get to know one another. When #1206 goes in reverse to catch #777, all we can do is wait and so the film has some character-building moments that are relatable and also humorous. I feel that this is a big reason why the film is like “Speed”. Another story element that adds intensity to the film is the conflict with those higher in command. Kevin Dunn persona from such films as “Godzilla” makes him a guy that you don’t quite trust unless more appealing characters are working with him. I like the cinematic zooming that happens throughout. Even though the zooms are small, their speed mark plot points and creates anxiety. Because the film makes us forget about Ned, his reappearance is the climatic ray of hope that concludes the film very well. The climax with the truck is well done and I love Washington’s celebration on top of the train as it begins to slow down.

I am a fan of Tony Scott because of his film “Enemy of the State” but I like how the script for “Unstoppable” had a little better use of language. The film has realism but also moments where our two main characters bond. There is action in the film but the level of intensity and anxiety is what entertains us most. The film took an actual event and raised its drama to a Hollywood level quite effectively.

4 stars