Unstoppable review, trailer

There is a run away train filled with loads of toxic chemicals headed for population centres in Pennsylvania. That pretty much sums up the scenario of director Tony Scott’s movie, “Unstoppable.”

Except that Chris Pine and Denzel Washington star as two working stiffs who are trying to stop the “unstoppable” train. It doesn’t seem like very much of a premise, but an action movie doesn’t need a premise, it needs action and this 1 hour and 35 minute stripped down thriller has plenty of action.

With the train barrelling along the tracks, thundering through crossings and smashing obstacles, the excitement is palpable. Credit Scott with having done a splendid job of shooting the movie in a way that makes it as fast moving as the train on screen.

Also credit Scott with making the train the star of the movie, as it steals most of the scenes from the animate players in the film. The film does make some commentary about the American workplace environment and the condition of the American worker, but it hardly takes a breath to do so. The clock racing speed of the movie gets you caught up in its wake and drags you down the tracks with the runaway train.

Scott seems to want to be overly precise with the geographic locations of towns and landmarks as the train flies along the track. This is director Scott’s second train movie. The first was “The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3.” He does better with this one. He does so well in fact that you will be on the edge of your seat from the moment the train starts rolling until it stops, if it stops.