Movie Review: Unstoppable

INTENSE: An unmanned speeding freight train was more than fantasy for Frank Barnes and Will Colson, played by Denzel Washington and Chris Pine. Photo / Supplied

There is nothing complicated about Unstoppable.

It's basically Speed on an alternative means of transport, but with a hurtling pace, thunderous soundtrack and Denzel Washington at the controls there is intense action and heroics enough to make this more compelling than its simple premise suggests.

As an idea, an unmanned speeding freight train carrying highly explosive toxins and destined to derail in a densely populated city might sound like one contrived for the big screen.

As the credits reveal, though, the screenplay by Mark Bomback (Live Free or Die Hard) is inspired by a real-life event, which adds gravitas to the story and its heroes.

Actually, the giveaway that Unstoppable is based on a real event is at the start; there's no clever script device to explain why this train is on the loose. There's no bomb on board like Speed, just human error by a railway worker who couldn't be bothered connecting the air brakes and leaving the throttle on when he briefly hops off the train.

Initially, railway yard boss Connie (Rosario Dawson) thinks she's got a "coaster" on her hands, but as the train picks up speed the enormity of her problem unfolds.

Travelling at 70mph, half a mile long, and out of control, 777 demolishes everything in its path. Emergency services, the military, and the railway company are unsuccessful in their attempts to stop it, but fortunately calm, courageous Washington is on the job as railway veteran Frank Barnes who comes up with a crazy plan to stop 777.

Thankfully he's got Captain Kirk on board (Chris Pine as railway newcomer Will Colson) to help him give it a shot.

In an attempt to round out the drama, Bomback gives us a glimpse into the personal lives of Frank and Will and the internal bickering within the railway company as to how to deal with the situation, but none of this distracts us from the devastating path of 777.

Director Tony Scott (Top Gun, Man on Fire) keeps the pace frenetic with camera work that takes us right into the action, swooping and zooming up close to 777.

There are plenty of stunts and a typical fast-cut action edit. You might have seen some of these tricks from Scott before, and Unstoppable unfolds as you imagine it will, but once it gets rolling it's one heck of ride that should have you holding your breath until it's over.

Stars: 3.5/5
Cast: Denzel Washington, Chris Pine
Director: Tony Scott
Running Time: 98 mins
Rating: M (Contains offensive language)
Verdict: A straightforward, old-fashioned yet exhilarating action flick.

-TimeOut