Unstoppable (2010) User Reviews

Solid as a rock.

[drapertron · 8/10 · 8 November 2010]

So, here we are. Tony Scott and Denzel Washington's latest collaboration is pretty much the definition of high concept - a runaway freight train loaded with thousands of gallons of diesel fuel, eight carriages of a highly toxic chemical and a worryingly curvy track ahead of it, versus two train operatives armed with little in the way of stopping impending disaster bar a one-car locomotive and their vivid imaginations.

It's not without its faults, but Unstoppable is a brisk, solidly entertaining thriller from start to finish. Scott has little time for characterisation or back story, preferring instead to kick things off via a pair of laughably incompetent rail yard employees roughly five minutes in, and then letting his leads fill in the blanks as we go along for the ride.

Washington and Star Trek's Chris Pine play it straight for the most part - their characters are the reluctant Johnny Everymen found in most films that rely on extended peril for thrills, and they've both nailed the mixture of brooding intensity and occasional comic relief that typifies movies of the genre.

Enough about the acting though - when you're watching a film of this nature, you want the action sequences to impress rather than worry too much about the story, and on this front Unstoppable delivers. Scott's track record in the field puts him in the perfect place to deliver the goods, and there's very little of the distracting, overdone camera-work that has plagued his recent output.

There's perhaps a little too much ShakyCam for my tastes but for the most part everything is shot with enough scope to be extremely impressive. The near total lack of CGI means the film looks suitably gritty and the pace is utterly, utterly relentless - there's no time to breathe here, just set-piece after set-piece with only brief conversational respites to quickly set up the next danger faced by our blue-collar heroes.

This type of film never goes down too well with critics and you can predict the reviews already - yes Unstoppable IS cheesy, it IS forced, it IS derivative and has all the depth of a puddle, but if you want to switch your brain off for 100 minutes and sit back for a magnificently enjoyable slice of escapism, you couldn't do much better. Highly recommended.

An unstoppable ride

[Gordon-11 · 9 February 2011]

This film is about the attempts to stop an unmanned train full of dangerous chemicals travelling at high speed, endangering the lives of thousands of people living along the tracks.

"Unstoppable" gets right to the point, action already starts ten minutes into the film. After that, the thrills get better and better. As a result, the film keeps you glued to the screen with increasing intensity.

Early on in the film, I wondered if there was enough to fill the screen time, but there was actually enough to make it action packed, without slow, pacing scenes to interrupt the action. "Unstoppable" is a good action film, relatively free from blood and violence which is rather rare for an action film these days.

Suspenseful and believable runaway train flick, but lacks the depth of "Runaway Train"

[Wuchakk · 7/10 · 17 October 2015]

Released in 2010, "Unstoppable" is about a runaway train in Pennsylvania carrying toxic chemicals and the engineer and conductor who try to stop it (Denzel Washington & Chris Pine). Rosario Dawson plays the yardmaster that assists from headquarters while Jessy Schram plays the separated wife of the newbie conductor.

The movie's based on the real-life CSX 8888 Incident, otherwise known as the Crazy Eights Incident, which involved a runaway freight train in northwestern Ohio in 2001. Locomotive #8888 was pulling 47 cars, including some with hazardous chemicals, and ran unmanned for two hours and 66 miles at speeds of up to 51 mph. (***Don't read the rest of this paragraph if you don't want to know how the real-life incident ended before seeing the movie***). Attempts to derail the train using a portable derailer failed, as did an attempt by police to shoot at an emergency fuel cutoff switch, which didn't work because the button has to be pressed for several seconds before the engine shuts down due to lack of fuel. A northbound freight train took succor in a siding area where the crew released its locomotive and waited for the runaway to pass. Like in the movie, they had a crew of two: Jess Knowlton, an engineer with 31 years of service; and Terry L. Forson, a relative neophyte conductor. They proceeded to chase the runaway train and successfully locked on to the rear car of the runaway, then slowing it by applying the dynamic brakes or their locomotive. Once the runaway had slowed to 11 miles per hour, trainmaster Jon Hosfeld ran alongside the train, jumped on, and shut down the engine.

While the movie starts somewhat bland it quickly picks up momentum for a realistic non-stop thrill ride. The realism is refreshing in this day and age of cartoony action blockbusters and their multiple "yeah, right" action scenes (not that there's anything wrong with those movies, as long as you're in the right mode). Washington and Pine make for good protagonists and you start to care about them as the story progresses. Moreover, the movie doesn't overstay its welcome at a mere 98 minutes.

The film was shot in numerous locations extending from central Pennsylvania to eastern Ohio, which serve up a nice rolling hills backdrop with the occasional river. Minor note: You'll observe a woodchuck scamper across the tracks in one scene where he/she thankfully DOESN'T become ground chuck.

BOTTOM LINE: "Unstoppable" is worthwhile as a believable disaster thriller. While it lacks the potent subtext and overall greatness of 1985's "Runaway Train," it makes up for it with its realistic and kinetic tone, not to mention the fact that it's based on a true incident.

GRADE: B

Unstoppable - thank you Hollywood for putting out an action movie that works

[mdtscoates · 7/10 · 15 November 2010]

Unstoppable plays out like a basic action thriller that keeps us engaged the entire time. With the train as the center of the story, in a way we get transported back to the days of great entertainment, where the storyline is simple, characters pure, and the dialogue isn't overdone. Here is an action film that stays on track and keeps you glued to the edge of your seat until the high-intensity climax is over. It operates at gut-level mode, as we get to follow all the twists and turns of the main character, runaway train #777. Unstoppable is a summer movie action blockbuster released in a winter spot that doesn't pause for a breath as it picks up steam, and most likely you won't either. It's one of those mindless thrillers that was made so well you probably will miss a lot of the detail as the movie literally sweeps you away, which is what a great action movie will do.

Unstoppable is based on a true story that comes out of Ohio where we have a low-level employee who fails to set the air brakes on a train while changing tracks and the issues that ensue as a result. The director Tony Scott, no newcomer to the action genre, sets the stage for the high-octane second half by letting us get to know the 2 main characters: Rookie conductor Will Colson (Chris Pine) and veteran engineer Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington). The two both have their share of family issues, which adds to the difficulty of being able to work together initially. Another dynamic we discover is that the company is forcing employees to be laid off, as evidenced by the fact that Barnes is being replaced by younger engineers such as Colson. The 2 characters provide solid low-key performances and we see the tension that initially exists turn into mutual cooperation to work together for a solution, and then at the end, respect.

Solid performance also given by Rosario Dawson, who is both the eye-candy and sounding board for our heroes, planted where she can see all train activity.

As the movie progresses, we come to find out that this runaway train laden with toxic chemicals is headed towards heavily populated areas, and our stomach starts to sink about the devastating possibilities that may occur should everything go wrong. The plan? to link up to the phantom engine from the back and pull it the other way, coming to a full stop.

It is fascinating to watch the failed attempts to stop the train, which seems to add to the power, giving the audience a realistic idea of how "unstoppable" this train truly is with it's 10M pounds of force going full-steam ahead.

In the end what we are left with is ordinary men putting on extraordinary acts of courage. Where there might be chest-pounding there are a couple of family guys doing what they felt should have been done by anyone in that situation, and a humbleness that brings a more realistic quality to the movie.

I'm glad that the sensationalism was toned down so that the thrills that the movie had to offer truly thrilled me. As others have stated already, Unstoppable is truly a "Speed" on tracks and definitely one of the year's finer action movies.

7/10 stars

Unstoppable Action

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 30 September 2015]

In Pennsylvania, one engineer is maneuvering a train in the yard and accidentally leaves the train operating without the pneumatic brakes engaged. The operation department initially believes it is a coaster but soon the operators realize that the unmanned train is running on full power. Further, it is carrying dangerous chemicals and diesel in the cargo wagons. There are many unsuccessful attempts to stop the runaway train and the veteran engineer Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington) and the young conductor Will Colson (Chris Pine) decide to take the chance to reduce the speed of the train with the most unlikely operation.

The farewell of the brilliant director Tony Scott is a thriller with non- stop action inspired in a true event in Ohio. The screenplay is engaging and the dramatization is adequate to the story. The great cast with Denzel Washington, Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson completes this excellent entertainment. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Incontrolável" ("Uncontrollable")

Top of the line feel-good action thriller that stays on the rails and doesn't go off track

[bobkuhl · 7/10 · 12 October 2013]

This is an excellent movie in almost all respects. The cast does a very good job. The two leads play off of each other very well together and project good chemistry. The supporting cast is good as well and the movie even does a good job with providing some character depth (to the extent you can in this type of movie)- you do wind up rooting for them. The director has taken a good story, and matched it with excellent, I mean excellent, cinematography and takes us an every faster roller coaster ride. The movie is well paced, it keeps you engaged from the start & doesn't let you go until its over, and was just a lot of fun to watch. I highly recommend it.

Simple, Thrilling, and Very Entertaining.

[patrickmbrame · 9/10 · 10 February 2011]

Simple, Thrilling, and Very Entertaining. Unstoppable never tries to be anything more than it is. It follows a runaway train that occurred in Pennsylvania and the two men that try to stop it. First off, I gotta five Tony Scott credit for making a film about trains, that in itself is pretty interesting. How many people know about and use trains regularly? Then take that and turn into one of the most suspenseful, entertaining films of the year culminates into a really good time. The film's opening credits starts with how the train was lost and runs away, so right off the bat you know that it's not going to be a dull film. Before any of the main characters are brought into the story the antagonist and therefore the action get underway. Your then introduced to Will, played by Chris Pine, and Frank, played by Denzel Washington. Will is the rookie conductor that is placed under the veterans Frank's wing. Then you have Connie, played by Rosario Dawson, as the head of all the trains currently running, basically a conductor that oversees all operations, who is in charge of finding a solution to the runaway train, while also dealing with the corporate suits, mainly Oscar Galvin, played by Kevin Dunn, who are more interested in stock prices and money losses then the overall safety and physical damage the train could cause. So, after some failed attempts to stop the train, Denzel comes up with a plan to stop it, and this is where Will and Frank become involved with the runaway.

Tony Scott does a pretty good job of making the runaway train look menacing, almost like a monster that no matter what you do always keeps coming for you. The majority of special effects and stunt work were done realistically with very little CGI being used, which for me is always a plus. With it being based on a true story he definitely uses a lot of tactics to make it feel less like a film and more like your actually watching the action happen presently. There's a lot of bird eye shots of the trains making it feel like a news helicopters are shooting it, while also cutting to news broadcasts following the runaway train through the majority of the film creating a more realistic view of the whole story. He also filmed on location in Pennsylvania, which was pretty cool living in central PA and having the opportunity to talk with some of the crew.

As for the characters, the first half of the film, is where the majority of the very little character development comes into play. Will and Frank bicker back and forth at each other, when unsurprisingly they find a common bond through broken families with their wives and children. There are also many conversations, which mostly turn into arguments, between Connie and Oscar about how to stop the runaway train and the potential problems it could cause. Yet, due to the pacing and strategic place of key conversations you end up caring about the characters and are pulling for them to get out of this disaster alive. The most important and character revealing dialogue occurs during the more explosion filled scenes with the train.

Overall, it's a pretty fun time, and never has a boring moment. Just when you think the dialogue may be getting a bit to breathy and boring, Scott crashes the runaway into some object causing a major explosion. It's one of those no brain activity films that you can just sit back and enjoy. The characters are there and Scott makes sure not to fill the runtime up with too much dialogue, but with just enough to develop Frank, Will, and Connie into people we want to see succeed. Lastly, it doesn't try to be anything more than it is. It's a film about a runaway train and the people trying to stop it, that's it. Unstoppable is a thrilling ride and a guaranteed enjoyable viewing.

Exciting

[nicolechan916 · 8/10 · 30 June 2016]

Though this film has a pretty simple and straightforward story, it is still exciting to watch. It does well in establishing the normality of the lives of these railway workers and the rhythm that they work in. Scott does well in setting the tone of the film early on, and with the music accompaniment, the tension slowly rises.

Pine and Washington are good in their roles, and work well together. Perhaps it is because their characters do not get along well, which may be easier to portray. Anyway, their delivery and chemistry with each other fit the film. Dawson does well in roles with a sense of urgency to them. I vaguely remember her being an FBI agent somewhere else, and with this character, she is able to portray how intense a situation they're in.

I especially liked the cinematography and editing in this movie. With a high speed train moving through various landscapes, the numerous wide angle and aerial shots give a good view of the surroundings. The quick jump cuts, and juxtapositions between the various characters on screen also helps to keep the audience well informed.

One thing that I felt was a bit forced, was the family angle. I guess being characters, the filmmakers felt that they needed to incorporate family values, so put that in there. I didn't care much for the drama of Pine's life though. I was intrigued a little at what may have happened, but Pine's character didn't really fit the drama.

Overall, quite an exciting but simple film.

Loud fun

[griffithxjohnson · 7/10 · 16 October 2023]

Formulaic & predicable yet triumphantly inspiring with great intensity. Straightforward & tight writing that just worries about the essentials. The score & lead actors build a fitting tone. Nothing new but lots of fun.

. .

. Formulaic & predicable yet triumphantly inspiring with great intensity. Straightforward & tight writing that just worries about the essentials. The score & lead actors build a fitting tone. Nothing new but lots of fun.

. .

. Formulaic & predicable yet triumphantly inspiring with great intensity. Straightforward & tight writing that just worries about the essentials. The score & lead actors build a fitting tone. Nothing new but lots of fun.

A simple but effective 90 minute rollercoaster ride

[IonicBreezeMachine · 7/10 · 12 April 2021]

Set in Pennsylvania, AWVR Train #777, a train hauling hazardous chemicals, goes out of control after an oversight but the engineer leaves the cab unoccupied and stuck at full throttle. Now 28 year railroad veteran Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington), untested rookie, Will Colson (Chris Pine), and yardmaster Connie Hooper (Rosario Dawson) must try and stop this out of control train before it crashes with disastrous results.

Released in 2010, the movie is actually based on the CSX 8888 incident (aka Crazy Eights) where a train carrying phenol also went out of control. Various details from the real event are used (such as the police's attempt to shoot the fuel release button) but while some details are kept there's a number of details inserted for dramatic effect. The movie is notable for being the final film of Tony Scott before his suicide and fifth collaboration with Denzel Washington. While Unstoppable isn't Scott's best movie, it is still an entertaining ride from start to finish.

The movie is actually fairly unique in terms of blockbuster action movies in that its setting in the rust belt areas of Pennsylvania and a smaller scale story involving working class people who aren't typical guns blazing devil may care action protagonists makes the film feel fairly grounded for a movie of this type. Tony Scott efficiently and effectively introduces and sets up the scenario, characters, and relationships but doesn't leave anything feeling rushed or under done. When the movie starts, not unlike the train it doesn't stop until it's stopped. The movie views the train from every possible direction, be it the boots on the ground, the managers tracking the rail systems, the regional directors, and even the high level executives who are busy golfing as this goes on. We also get some well utilized viewpoints from the community and local news covering the action from multiple angles.

There's really not all that much in the way of "substance" with unstoppable, bor is there much depth to it either. The movie does try to shine a light on ageism in working environments with Washington's character Barnes having been forced into "Retirement" with half benefits and it makes a good point for Washington and Pine to bounce off each other and they have really good chemistry, but it's not lingered on too long as the movie is more concerned with matching the speed of the runaway train than doing any in depth character analysis.

Unstoppable knows what it is and doesn't try to be anything else. It's an above average disaster movie that gives its audience likable protagonists who rather than relying on choreographed stunts or expensive fantastical gadgets need to rely on their prowess and ingenuity to save the day.

Thrilling and as advertised

[Floated2 · 7/10 · 3 December 2021]

Great film that has a slow build up then once the plot kicks in becomes highly thrilling. Similar to Tony Scott's other directed film the Taking of Pelham 123, Unstoppable has a more realistic feel. The acting from both leads are great and this film is quite as good as advertised.

Unstoppable is a "speed" driven adrenaline ride packed with suspense and gripping tension from beginning to end.

[blacklist-1 · 7/10 · 30 November 2010]

When it comes to films from Tony Scott, you always know what to expect, sure the script may be formulaic and cliché and there is little if any character development, which makes the characters as interesting as cardboard, but he damn knows how to make an action movie. Unstoppable is no different, basically set as a true story, one engineer, called Frank (Denzel Washington) and a young conductor Will (Chris Pine), who meet on Wills first day of work and at first have a mutual, mild dislike for each other at first until they get caught up in trying to stop a runaway train (that a engineer let go because he left the air brakes on) number 777 from crashing into a populated town called Stanton,which will explode as there are explosive toxins as cargo on board.

From a cliché script and little character development Washington and Pine give adequately decent performances with some nice chuckles as their relationship starts from mild dislike and moving onto understanding, trust and finally respect at the end of the movie as they have to work together to stop the runaway train. Also the supporting performance by Rosario Dawson as Connie was good and she deserves to be mentioned.

Scott as I say may give little in terms of depth about the character's life, but at least he tries as Frank's two daughters aren't talking to him and Wills wife has put out a restraining order against him and is threatening to take their son away. What does matter with this film is that Scott makes you care about these characters as they don't glamorise them as heroes. He makes an interesting point that they are just two ordinary men who have jobs and want to make their way in the world for the people they love, but commit an extraordinary act of courage and risking their own life's to save hundreds of thousands. Scott stylishly shots this with some jump-cuts and blur outs at the start, like in his remake of The Taking of Pelham 123, but wisely tones it down and sticks to the method of conventional editing and camera work that authenticates the movie by sticking to the gravity of the two ordinary characters who become heroes. There are also some excellent stunts particularly as the film reaches it's climax and the pacing on the film never flags.

As I reiterated before this film isn't perfect with an ending that was also predictable and a bit abrupt, but there is no denying this is an entertaining and action packed ride that had suspense and tension from the start to the finish and is enough to satisfy anyone's need for a shot of action pumped adrenaline for the week.

'Training Day'

[colinrgeorge · 7/10 · 16 November 2010]

With a capable cast and the right script, Tony Scott has made terrific movies. Lately however, he's taken on a string of lousy screenplays and contributed little to them. In "Unstoppable," it isn't initially clear whether he's working for or against us—irksome stylistic choices threaten to derail his momentum at every turn. But like Triple Seven, a ghost train towing a half-mile of hazardous chemicals, the breakneck energy he builds vaporizes any obstructions in its path. "Unstoppable" is a fun, effective film.

Anchored by charismatic performances by Denzel Washington and Chris Pine, Scott's latest is refreshingly straightforward: a seasoned engineer (Washington) and his trainee (Pine) are on a routine delivery when they unwittingly become the last, best hope to stop an unmanned locomotive from jumping track in a highly populated Pennsylvanian town. Silly though the characters' transitions from blue-collar workers to action stars might be, the premise is simple and stays that way, and the plot builds not in scale but in intensity. Of course, there's plenty of railyard jargon and engineering exposition peppered throughout to create a veneer of complexity, but "Can't stop the train" is about all you'll ever need to know.

And what more do you need to know? "Unstoppable" is one of the most viscerally exciting Hollywood spectacles this year, and a welcome relief in the action spectrum from the ceaseless deluge of military and mercenary films. An action movie sans combat is all but unheard of in this day and age, but never fear; Scott squeezes in enough explosions and speedometer-snapping trucks, helicopters, and trains to keep even the most attention deficient spectators docile. That he does so without relying on conventional violence is just the icing on the cake.

Still, "Unstoppable" is a far from perfect film, and the fun had comes only after a mandatory adjustment to Scott's ugly shooting style. His carousel dollies, unmotivated snap zooms, and bland color palette are all major distractions. Either Scott doesn't care whether his images have an independent artistry, or he has terrible aesthetic taste. Even his coverage feels inadequate in certain instances—key moments are muddled because we aren't sure of Triple Seven's spatial relationship to its surroundings. For an action director, that's a significant oversight.

Yet ultimately, it barely matters. As ugly and unpolished as "Unstoppable" often looks, it's hard to deny the base effectiveness of the imagery. The sense of constant motion is no accident, and that the photography manages to vilify Triple Seven as our inanimate antagonist is an accomplishment in itself. The integration of faux newscasts into the narrative is an interesting choice as well, though does little to elevate it on a visual level.

"Unstoppable" is an unambitious action film, but one that succeeds beyond its own meager expectations for itself. It's a goofy, gimmicky movie that will likely play on basic cable years from now, watched and enjoyed by its audience simply "because it's on." There is a certain timeless appeal it shares with the likes of Scott's own "Top Gun," and "Unstoppable" does for trains what it did for jets.

Tony Scott is rarely the sole determiner of his successes, and the stars aligned for "Unstoppable." A marriage of performance, material, and realization, the director has hit his first Triple Seven in years. The effectiveness of the equation was audible; even in a half-full screening, the crowd gasped and applauded at all the right moments.

If you don't have the opportunity to see this worthwhile thriller theatrically, fear for your evenings when "Unstoppable" makes its way to basic cable.

1 million tons of steel. 100,000 people at risk. 100 minutes to impact.

[moviewizguy · 7/10 · 14 November 2010]

An unmanned runaway train is carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals. An engineer and his conductor find themselves in a race against time. (Firm Films)

UNSTOPPABLE is what you would expect a film to be with this title: It's a nonstop thrill ride, once it gets going. Director Tony Scott and actor Denzel Washington team up for the fifth time and it turns out that this is one of their better films. Yes, the Scott-editing style is still here, with the flashy/blurry, late-time reaction as if someone overdosed on cocaine (I wouldn't know), as well as the cinematography constantly swerving around every actor in almost every scene, but I didn't mind them much here. The techniques are more appropriate this time around.

There's also a great, if flawed, script and strong characters, albeit not the best development in film history. Denzel Washington is excellent as always, although playing the exact same character in his previous works with Scott. Having Chris Pine play alongside him puts a fresh spin in the situation. He's also really good in his role. I also liked Rosario Dawson, but I loved her in everything she was in so take that with a grain of salt.

I don't know if people will agree with me, but I liked the fact how the film relied heavily on human errors for it to keep going. Honestly, the characters try almost every way possible to stop the train but there's always a small mishap that just ruins the plan. I also liked how the news media played a huge role in the film, to explain to the audience what is happening and to simplify the situation for us. It's much easier to digest than the train/railroad jargon the characters in the film discuss with each other. The lack of CGI and reliance on practical effects also is a huge plus because it makes everything so much more realistic, gritty, and intense.

Overall, UNSTOPPABLE has a great cast, good script, and nail-biting tension throughout. The SPEED comparison is inevitable so I'll just say it's as good and as entertaining as SPEED. If you like a fast paced thrill ride, UNSTOPPABLE is the film for you.

Amazing casting and performances with non-stop action!

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 8/10 · 4 April 2022]

Mark Bomback's writing was outstanding in using his 98 min runtime to squeeze in the perfect amount of character development, tension, suspense, and action. All casting and performances were excellent and Denzel and Chris Pine's chemistry was spot on. The S/VFX were amazing, as was the score. My big issue was the annoying and seizure-inducing fast zoom-in/outs director Tony Scott chose to use. Thankfully they became less frequent as the film progressed. It' an 8/10 from me.

An intriguing and moving film about a runaway train with thrills , tension , emotion and spectacular scenes

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 4 September 2020]

This Scott's final film in the director's chair Unstoppable (2010) is set in Pennsylvania , there one careless engineer (Ethan Suplee) is maneuvering a train in the yard . Then he leaves negligently the train operating without the pneumatic brakes engaged and it results the freighting transport stands unmanned . As the out-of-control train with no brakes and nobody driving puts a veteran engineer called Frank (Denzel Washington) and his young but hardened conductor named Will (Chris Pine) in a race against time . They are alone and speeding toward certain disaster and the barrels are out of control . They're chasing the runaway train in a separate locomotive and need to bring it under control before it derails on a curve and causes a toxic spill that will decimate a town, and along the way making daring feats .1,000,000 Tons. 100,000 Lives. 100 Minutes . 1 million tons of steel. 100,000 lives at stake. 100 minutes to impact.1 million tons of steel. 100,000 people at risk.

An overwhelming and suspenseful movie with a nail-biting premise : a runaway half-mile-long freight train barreling toward a city , carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals and 100 minutes to impact and cause a catastrophe . There are several thrilling and breathtaking scenes using real locomotives with impressive special effects , as the train connection sequence between the grain car and the train engine . The picture is well based on actual events , in fact the engineer who chased after the unmanned train in the real incident , eventually to climb aboard and stop it , collaborated as a technical adviser . Although predictable the picture is pretty well with full of chills , thriller , intrigue tense and impressive feats . As our two protagonists : Denzel Washington and Chris Pine giving nice interpretations while race against the clock to prevent a disaster . And both actors , Pine and Washington , mostly performed all of his own stunts , though were also added some CGI . Other important secondaries appearing and delivering decent acting are as follows : Rosario Dawson playing yardmaster Connie Hooper, Kevin Dunn as her superior chief , Ethan Suplee as the negligent engineer who left accidentally his train , Kevin Corrigan as Inspector Werner, Jessy Schram as Will's wife , among others .

It contains a rousing and stirring musical score by Harry Gregson-Williams . As well as a colorful and adequate Cinematography by Ben Seresin . The motion picture was competently directed by Tony Scott' , being final film before his death by suicide on August 19, 2012 . He was a good filmmaker whose works received some great reviews , his first big hit happened when was asked by producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer to direct Top Gun (1986) starring Tom Cruise . He would work again with Cruise on another high adrenaline film Days of thunder (1990) , which proved less successful . He followed the success of Top Gun with the sequel Beverly Hill cop II (1987) with Eddie Murphy, which was well received . In 1993, he directed the cult movie True Romance (1993), which was written by emerging director Quentin Tarantino but Scott had a lot of control over the film . This Unstoppable (2010) was Tony Scott and Denzel Washington's fifth and final film collaboration. The others were Red tide (1995), Man on fire (2004), Déjà vu (2006), and Pelham 123 (2009) all of them got big successes . Rating : 7/10. Well worth watching . The picture will appeal to Denzel Washington and Chris Pine fans .

It works on the principles of late afternoon escapism and it's an efficient nail-biter.

[TheUnknown837-1 · 8/10 · 7 December 2010]

Even though I did not care whatsoever for the fates of any of the stick-figure characters that populate Tony Scott's new movie "Unstoppable" and despite the fact that I still have some qualms with his directing style, I must confess that this new runaway-train movie won me over. It works on the principles of late afternoon escapism and it's quite efficient as a nail-biter. Kicking off to big bursts of kinetic action almost right from the beginning and lasting for a taut ninety-eight minutes, it proved itself as one of the more wholesomely entertaining action movies I've seen in the last half of the year.

The movie is based (loosely) on the CSX 8888 incident of 2001, in which a freight train ran amok and unmanned across the state of Ohio for two hours. Here the setting is switched to Pennsylvania and it's running at such high speeds that it threatens to destroy Stanton should it derail itself on an elevated railway and smash its toxic cargo. Of course, for the conventions of the action/escapism movie plot, we've got two troubled heroes who are just going through the motions of their not-so-happy lives when they assume the Superman personality and race against time to stop the train.

The train is the real star of the movie. More interesting than the people trying to control it. Director Tony Scott gives us several impressive and creative shots of the half-mile-long mechanical monster as it rampages around. Listen carefully to the soundtrack and amongst all the crashes and grinding sounds you'll hear noises reminiscent of the tyrannosaurus in Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park." The movie almost seems like a big-budget homage to Spielberg's early-career movie "Duel" in which you had an innocent man being pursued by a giant tractor-trailer.

The characters are modeled after Action Movie 101 Writing stereotypes. You know, the veteran and the rookie. One of them is splitting up with his wife, the other is having a hard time maintaining a relationship with his daughters. You've got the noble yardmaster wanting to save lives and the greedy, vulgarity-spitting corporate executive whose more concerned about how much dough he's lost. And, of course, it takes a major catastrophe in which lives are risked in order to glue everything back together again. And no, morbid as it sounds, I didn't care who lived and who died.

However, *however* the filmmakers are smart enough to play with this to their advantage. They do not waste any more time than they really need to with this flat caricatures and instead devote as much of the brief running time as they can to very gritty action sequences. I must commend Mr. Scott for his ability to coordinate his pyrotechnics crew. Although I still detest his overly extravagant dolly shots and irksome "quick zooms" (in which the camera inches in and out of people for no reason at all) he does hold your attention when letting loose a wave of inertia. The last quarter of the movie is consumed by an enormous, very intense action sequence that develops suspense and nail-biting tension reminiscent of "Back to the Future." Complications are thrown in and as they kept on coming, I gradually discovered myself nervously toying with the zipper of my jacket. He also does a fantastic job of balancing sequences with "Live Television" shots as news cameras record the incident.

"Unstoppable" is not a work of art, but heck, it's not trying to be. Movies are meant to be one of two things: art or escapism. "Unstoppable" is the latter. It achieves exactly what it is targeting: ninety-eight minutes of blood-pumping action, smart-alec dialogue, and a barrel of fun for all who participate. It's more fun (and less painful, for me) than any roller coaster I can remember being on at the fair. On the basis of it being a solid matinée thriller, I liked the movie.

Denzel Washington, as the wise old train veteran, is his usual self: sincere and convincing. Chris Pine is also in fine form as the goodhearted but troubled rookie whom he finds himself both bickering and laughing with. Rosario Dawson, an underrated actress, turns in another strong performance as the yardmaster supervising the disaster. And Kevin Dunn is sinister despite the two-dimensional character he's given to play. Supporting roles are played mechanically but well by Ethan Suplee, Meagan Tandy, Elizabeth Mathis, and Jessy Schram.

P.S., the movie almost shoots itself in the foot at the end, but just ignore that, as everything before it works just fine.

Unstoppable Guarantees Unstoppable Entertainment

[Supachewy · 6/10 · 17 November 2010]

The action film Unstoppable is directed by Tony Scott and stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, and Rosario Dawson. The film takes place in modern day Pennsylvania.

The film centers around how a train yard worker named Dewey does not properly secure one of the trains. Because of this the train travels along the tracks at a hazardous speed and over on hundred thousand lives are on the line if it is not stopped because according to the physics it will derail on the Stanton curve and go into explosive materials that will likely destroy the town. A veteran engineer (Washington), Frank Barnes, and a first day conductor (Pine), Will Colson, decide to take the task to stop the train even if they lose their own lives in the process. No one thinks they are able to do it from the company that manages the trains except Connie Hooper (Dawson), the yard master. Can Frank Barnes and Will Colson stop the train before it reaches its tragic destination? Or is it unstoppable? The screenplay from Mark Bomback is quite entertaining, even though it is also quite corny. It is the basic action movie where the protagonist must stop the antagonist (in this case the train) before the antagonist accomplishes its deadly goal. And like all those films this one is equally as predictable. There is not much character development throughout the film, it is basically at the beginning of the film Frank and Will don't like each other and as it goes on they start to like each other. During the leisure time on their ride to catch the train they tell about their family lives to add another layer of drama to the script and make the climax even more sentimental. On a more positive note the whole way through the film is very entertaining and will keep you satisfied during it, but in the upcoming days you may forget that you have ever seen it.

Tony Scott is a veteran director and this is his fifth collaboration with actor Denzel Washington. I really like a lot of the shot choices Scott employed, such as the many shots underneath the train. Another shot thought was very well done was when the train collided with the tractor that was on the train track, basically all the shots involving the trains were good. the performances that Scott was able to get from his actors are appropriate to the level of the film, he didn't really get any bad ones. Tony Scott is always a director worth watching because almost all of his films are entertaining and great to watch when you aren't looking for something tiring.

The strongest aspect of the film was probably the high pace editing by Robert Duffy Chris Lebenzon. It kept the excitement way up in a film which could have been quite boring. If it wasn't for their editing it would just be two guys following a train, but Duffy and Lebenzon added the excitement and flare to the film. I really liked the sounds they put in when cutting the Connie Hooper in the train headquarters and how it just went to talking, no time to wait, just like in the actual film.

The acting was mediocre in this film, which is disappointing because there are three very talented actors in the film. The first being the two time Oscar winning Denzel Washington who seemed like he was just on cruise control for this movie. He played the part but didn't add himself into it, there was no passion. When you watch Washington in a film like Training Day you can feel that he is going all out to be spectacular, but in this he does not have that type of drive. Chris Pine who became a success for his role in the new Star Trek gave a fine performance but nothing too great. So far in his career he has not really proved that he is an acting force even though he does have a very likable charm to him, hopefully in the future he will give a strong performance that shows how he deserves to be the lead in films. Rosario Dawson played her part as Connie Hooper just right as well, but it did not have much character in it so she could not really show off her acting ability. The supporting cast all did fine, no one really to complain about.

Overall I give this film a 6/10, it is a fun ride but is forgetful when you get home from the theatre. It does look like at the next family dinner Tony Scott can go to his brother Ridley and laugh how people like his latest movie unlike Ridley's latest Robin Hood. If you are looking for something not too serious head to the theatre now to give this a watch, especially if you are as big of a Denzel Washington fan as I am.

Slow down. Look out. Here it comes.

[karlcharlotte-1 · 7/10 · 7 November 2010]

Unstoppable / Rated PG-13 for peril, language and destruction Unstoppable is a runaway train chase movie. Cut to the chase. Not a lot of time spent doing character development other than what the characters talk about once the chase starts. The film is very loosely based on a real life incident that happened in 2001 when a runaway train ran away. 66 miles later the running ended. No injuries or damages. They took the basic idea and ran away with it. Runaway train movies can only end in 1 of a few ways. The train runs its course and stops. Not much to see here. Or it can derail, crash and cause lots of damage. Or it can cause lots of damage but not derail and crash. I can't giveaway what happens but how many people would go to a movie called Stoppable? Denzel Washington (fresh off another train move "The Taking of Pelham 123") is the engineer of a train that doesn't runaway. Chris Pine, better known as the new Captain of the Enterprise in the future, is the newbie conductor. Rosario Dawson is the lady in command at the local train center. The original real life story took place in Pennsylvania and much of the film was shot there. When the star of the story, namely train 777 gets moving you best stay out of the way. Moving along at 70 MPH and towing a ½ mile of cars this is one big, fast demon of destruction. For extra jeopardy the train has a number of cars filled with toxic materials. For even more danger the train is heading for Stanton, PA where there awaits an elevated track directly over fuel storage tanks where the train speed limit is 15 MPH. UHOH. Most of the work done by DW and CP is in the cab of a train. Not much they can do there except look worried and learn about each others problems. A few jokes are told to fend off impending doom. The young guy learns a lot from the old guy. Meanwhile old 777 is whipping along and anything that gets in its way gets nuked. At least that's what it looks like. In the works since 2004 Unstoppable has apparently had a few production problems and delays. Many over who was getting the most money. The film is work man like and decently made. The usual scenes of nail biting relatives and friends watching the whole pending disaster unfold are included. There is also elation and cheering whenever any part of the pending doom is defeated by our heroes. Stoppable or Unstoppable. Which film would you go to see? Stop and think. Rated 2.5 out of 4.0 Great Locomotive Chases. Fess Parker version 1956 or Buster Keaton version 1926. Where are these guys when you need them?

It's a bird, it's a plane, no... it's Denzel Washington and director Tony Scott working together on their fifth film!

[movieswithmitch · 7/10 · 14 November 2010]

Mitch Hansch/ movieswithmitch.com It's a bird, it's a plane, no... it's Denzel Washington and director Tony Scott working together on their fifth film! They need to be faster than a speeding locomotive to save the day this time. Actually, it's a runaway speeding locomotive carrying a horrible toxic cargo that's heading for highly populated disaster. Oh no!!! Worry not good citizens, a bland script with not even enough character development to fill a mini-sized thimble is no match for Scott's visually highly-charged adrenaline train ride extravaganza that is "Unstoppable". Tickets please.

Seriously folks, if Tony Scott was a horse at the tracks, I would not be betting on him. His track record hasn't shown a decent film since maybe his first collaboration with Washington in "Crimson Tide". And their team-up last year for the "so what" picture, "Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" didn't amount to much so they decided to give the train film another go. Turns out they got this train movie right. With a minimalistic story, Scott stays focused on the escalating danger at hand, using all the tricks in his stylized quick-cutting, slow-to-focus bag. You can figure out the whole film in the first ten minutes but that doesn't end up being a fault due to the so-called inspired by true events tale that Scott tells with action that's big, brash, loud, and always showcasing the power of the runaway train.

You want story huh? Well... it's a day like any other day until a railway employee doofus (Ethan Suplee) leaves his moving train to switch the tracks and is unable to get back on the train, leaving train "777" unmanned and increasing it's speed up to 80mph. If you can make an effective heart racing action sequence with the portly typecast misfit Ethan Suplee, than you've really accomplished something. On the same track is the 28-year veteran Frank Barnes, played by Denzel Washington, who's always lackadaisical in hazard's way. Barnes is showing the ropes to Will Colson, played by the steely-eyed Chris Pine (better know as the new James T. Kirk). Mini sub-plots of the non-union Barnes losing jobs to the yellow-shirted union, as well as Colson and his spouse's drama are gradually faded out in lieu of the MUST STOP TRAIN portion that overloads and rocks our cerebral cortex.

Yardmaster Connie Hooper (Rosario Dawson) gives us all the rest of any exposition needed with her extreme dramatization of this calculus problem. If a runaway train leaves from point A at the speed of death and a rescue train on the same track leaves from point B with a speed of Denzel, how long will it take for awesome to collide? Not long. Tony Scott shoots actions scenes first and sometimes asks questions later. Using close-up shots of the terrorizing train, Scott portrays it as a conscious being that knows the evil it's about to perform, almost growling in the wind. The last hour of "Unstoppable" is truly that, unstoppable, making for a white-knuckled thrill ride that plays to our need for heroism and succeeds. By the end I was chanting U.S.A. under my breath.

By the end I was chanting "this" under my breath.  2 Samuel 23:8-39

A fairy tale for men

[bookworm1-262-643168 · 6/10 · 25 May 2020]

Not a realistic thing in this movie. Only the date of the person responsible for this accident is likely.

Off the Rails Excitement

[Uriah43 · 7/10 · 18 July 2019]

This film begins in a northern Pennsylvania trainyard with a railroad employee by the name of "Dewey" (Ethan Suplee) disregarding advice by climbing down from a running locomotive with 39 attached cars in order to pull a railroad switch a little further up the line. Although he sets the independent air brake to keep the train from gaining speed, what he doesn't realize is that under the current situation the exact opposite would happen and before he realizes it the train has sped past him before he can reboard. To make matters worse, not only does this runaway train have some cars which contain a volatile chemical that would cause massive loss of life should the train derail near an urban population center, but with it's current rate-of-speed this is exactly what is predicted to happen when it reaches a bend in the tracks known as the Stanton Curve. Meanwhile, rather than listening to the advice of the yardmaster "Connie Hooper" (Rosario Dawson) to derail the train in a rural area, the arrogant Vice-President of Train Operations "Oscar Galvin" (Kevin Dunn) chooses a plan with a greater degree of risk but one which will also save the company from losing millions of dollars if successful. The problem is, that as the train gains even more momentum, he continues to resist all advice to the contrary-and a derailment at the Stanton Curve becomes even more certain. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that, although this film was "inspired by true events", the actual facts were clearly embellished to a great degree as well. But that's Hollywood for you. Even so, the action and suspense was definitely compelling and combined with the acting of Denzel Washington (as "Frank Barnes"), Chris Pine ("Will Colson") and the aforementioned Rosario Dawson the movie itself was quite entertaining.

Denzel Washington delivers yet again in "Unstoppable".

[jtncsmistad · 6/10 · 4 February 2017]

Denzel Washington time and time again elevates the caliber of any film he touches. To employ the vernacular, "The guy really classes up the joint". His portrayal of Frank, a no-bullsh-- veteran Train Engineer in 2010's "Unstoppable", only serves to perpetuate this career-spanning capacity.

Washington is equal parts compelling and believable in this "based on actual events" story as an ordinary man thrust headlong into extraordinarily volatile circumstances as he struggles to stop a runaway and pilotless train of tankers filled with explosively flammable cargo. Frank is somewhat jaded and cynical, yes, and with fair reason in light of the unseemly politics and the for-crap management he has wrestled with over his decades of rock solid service. It is consistently captivating to witness this fellow grapple with both the enormously stressful situation at hand and the incompetents who inhabit positions of leadership at his Railway Freight company.

Chris Pine is just fine as the new kid Engineer, Will, working his first day on the job with Frank. However, for my money it isn't anywhere near the authentically impressive performance he generates in the Oscar-nominated movie of last year "Hell or High Water". In that role Pine is REALLY good, clearly far more mature and evolved as an actor. Here he merely more or less occupies a run-of-the-mill stock function.

And props are due Rosario Dawson, as well, who is staggeringly beautiful as always in a helluva turn as a tough-a-- chick who bucks authority to do what is right rather than what most satisfies the corporate bottom line. Dawson's character of Connie is strong, smart, savvy and, again, aesthetically stunning.

"Unstoppable" is a notch or two above your standard Popcorn Thrill Ride flick. But it almost certainly would not have been even this good were it not for the inimitable contributions of the wondrous Washington.

Movies are great.

All aboard for a thrill ride !!

[colin_coyne · 8/10 · 15 November 2010]

Loosely based on a true story from 2001, UNSTOPPABLE is a tension packed, heart-racing juggernaut of a movie … about an unmanned, runaway train carrying a payload of highly flammable fuel and toxic waste that is heading straight for the densely populated of Stanton, Pennsylvania at 70mph.

Several human errors by an incompetent train driver Dewey (Ethan Suplee – "Randy" from My Name is Earl) and his colleagues allows the out of control train to leave the depot without air brakes and security cut out systems … and from then on, the race is on to try and stop this out of control half-mile long train "bomb" from devastating a city.

After several attempt fail … train driver Frank (played by double Oscar winning Denzel Washington - Training Day, Man on Fire, Malcolm X, Cry Freedom), and rookie conductor Will (Chris Pine - Star Trek) find themselves isolated as the last resort to try and prevent a disaster of epic proportions

Ably directed by Tony Scott (who has something of a history with trains and Denzel Washington – Taking of Pelham 123, Man on Fire), UNSTOPPABLE features some really good camera work, low ground shots, blur in movement, close-up action … and a very imaginative use of sound and music … (this film can be really loud in parts) – are things that really emphasizes the feeling of locomotive power, speed and imminent destruction … I could swear that my seat was shaking as the train speed increased …

Throw in some human drama, agitated animals and a train load of school kids in peril … not to mention the annihilation of a whole city … and you have all the ingredients required for an edge of the seat action thriller

There are very good acting performances also by the supporting cast, namely Rosario Dawson as Connie Hooper the senior train dispatcher who does an admirable job in keeping the tension up and she is the "glue" that holds all the dialogue, characters and plot lines together … Kevin Dunn as Oscar Galvin as Hooper's boss and Kevin Corrigan as Inspector Werner – a train safety inspector.

UNSTOPPABLE is very recommended and is a film that really needs to be watched on the big screen in a cinema that has really good surround sound to get the full benefit of the camera work and soundtrack.

UNSTOPPABLE is 98 mins long, is an 12A certificate and will be on general release from Weds 24th November 2010

A simple, solid, and very intense thrill ride from start to finish.

[dvc5159 · 8/10 · 5 November 2010]

It would not be much for me to say that above, having Denzel Washington re- teaming up with his frequent collaborator, director Tony Scott, on yet another movie involving a train very soon after last year's "Pelham 123". Comparisons, no matter how many people try to avoid it, is futile. One is always going to end up better than the other.

Fortunately, "Unstoppable" is better than "Pelham 1 2 3". The main reason is that while "Pelham" works as more of a crime thriller, "Unstoppable" like the title suggests, is an action film. It has exhilarating action sequences laced with heart-stopping suspense and white-knuckle thrills the moment that train is let loose. It is cliché to say it, but it's terrific edge-of-your-seat entertainment. For those who are short on thrills after bland after-summer borefests (here's looking at you, "Takers"), this movie is for you.

Is it going to win any Oscars? With a movie like this? No, of course not. This isn't "There Will Be Blood". It's not exactly intelligent, but it is mostly believable. Inspired by true story, writer Mark Bomback's ("Live Free or Die Hard") script is fueled on one simple, very basic premise - a runaway train of doom (complete with highly toxic and explosive material packed in the last of its carriages). There are no human villains, just human heroics, stupidity and carelessness, plus a speeding and out of control giant bullet that can cause certain doom for many people. Those human qualities are what gives this film a realistic and believable edge.

The heroes are just everyday guys like you and me - Denzel Washington especially proves himself adaptable to every role assigned to him; in fact you can say that Washington plays himself in many his films, with that friendly smile and gentleman-like charm. He is tense, and worried when the role requires him to, and you feel for him and root for his character all the way.

But Washington is not alone in trying to stop this missile-on-wheels. Chris Pine here shows star power, and he has many heroic moments. I'm not saying that all looks, no substance. The guy shows, like Denzel, emotions when he needs to. The chemistry between him and Denzel is great, the buddy moments were there as well.

Both of them are the two main characters, but others are busy trying to stop this giant behemoth (most to useless effects). Rosario Dawson, Kevin Dunn and Lew Temple all give solid supporting performances as they try to stop the train at all costs.

Yes, the script could use some reworking, especially in the cliché- filled dramatic parts, but Mark Bomback's script is ultimately an extended chase sequence that doesn't relent the moment it starts. The aforementioned dramatic moments take place during the action, so the film's pace is about as tight as a bullet. It's short, simple (we're talking bare-bones simple here, don't expect any hidden meanings to be unfurled like the vastly superior "Runaway Train" by Andrei Konchalovsky), and straight to the point. And perhaps that is why "Unstoppable" works - it has a very nice touch of simplicity, with an easy to understand plot and like-able, everyday guys who have no choice but to save the day before pandemonium breaks out.

Technical wise, it is outstanding. All of the films action sequences are filmed with REAL trains and REAL destruction and mayhem, making it perfect eye candy for action junkies drained of an adrenaline rush. Twisted metal and explosions are (almost) always a joy to watch, ESPECIALLY if they are real - but in this film some may cringe with the action sequences, knowing that it may destroy a town - the danger is there. Not a tinge of CGI (perhaps only the sparks?) is seen throughout the film. The production design - the setting of the film which takes place in rural Pennsylvania, is calm, serene and kind of homely (most of the film is set outdoors, for obvious reasons). The cinematography, thankfully, is bright, lively, and crisp - thus allowing the audience to see the scenery as well as the action sequences in all their glory - the shaky-cam is sparingly used, and even so, you can still see what's going on as the shaky-cam is used from a distance. The editing is also very fluid, Chris Lebenzon has definitely learned and improved from his dizzying and messy hatchet job on "Pelham", but this is also due to the intervening of other editor Robert Duffy, a frequent collaborator of avant-garde filmmaker Tarsem Singh. Frequent Scott collaborator Harry Gregson-Williams also composes a tense, if not unoriginal, orchestral score that gives tension to scenes when it needs it.

Last but not least, director Tony Scott himself. Here is a man who knows how to make an action film. Having made many action films for nearly three decades, age has certainly done nothing to slow his signature style down. The direction is kinetic and focused, and Scott delivers the action goods in spades. I think, due to the friendship and frequent collaboration with Denzel Washington (this film marks their fifth collaboration overall) that Scott continues to be an in-demand action film director, and this film contributes to that winning streak. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Take this - anybody can describe the film's plot in just two words: runaway train. If people want to see a movie about a runaway train, they certainly got it in the form of this film. It's what they pay for. See it with friends, especially in a big theater hall with a nice sound system. Glad to see a movie that works entirely without flashy CGI and 3D visuals, and still manages to be a terrificly entertaining crowd- pleaser.

Overall rating: 70/100 (Good)

Edit: R.I.P. Tony. Such a shocking end to a marvelously kinetic career. You and your films will be missed. Condolences to Ridley and the Scott family.