Unstoppable

Unstoppable is neither a subtle nor a complicated film. In fact, its recipe is rather simple and well-used: first take one destructive force, say an out of control, unmanned train. Then have it smash things at regular intervals to show its threat, throw in its path some complicating factors and something to be threatened - say a cargo of deadly chemicals, a large population area and a a trainload of schoolkids heading the other way. Next add a load of corporate suits to make all the wrong decisions whilst worrying about the stock-price and throw in some failed attempts to stop. Finally have a couple of heroes, preferrably from the mismatched buddy tradition, to save the day. How about one knowledgeable, proud veteran who's training a new recruit (who will need to have his own issues) to take his place as he's forced into early retirement. And that is pretty much it as far as this movie goes.

Except that even the most familiar recipe can be a tasty treat if you use the best ingredients. For example, you could pick a director like Tony Scott, the man behind Top Gun, Crimson Tide and Man on Fire, to name few. Subtlety is not his forte, but he certainly knows how to handle action and tension, pitching the camera and the audience right into the thick of things and really gets the adrenalin pumping. He also likes blowing stuff up almost as much as Michael Bay, including at one point flipping a police car for no apparent reason, but on the whole this works to serve the story rather than distract here.

Next you pick your stars carefully. For a figure of experienced, proud blue-collar America could you get a better fit than Denzel Washington. This is Washington's fifth collaboration with Scott, following on from the disappointing but similarly train-themed The Taking of Pelham 123, and to be honest its the kind of role that Washington can sleep walk through, and yet he is never less than a compelling presence here in every utterance and gesture. As for the younger star, you could do worse than the man who managed to successfully re-invent Captain Kirk. Chris Pine is an actor whose good looks probably count against him sometimes, distracting from some genuine talent and versatility. He may never match Washington's career achievements, but he's a good match for him here, creating a believable and not overdone relationship between then two men.

Finally and most crucially, don't overcook it or throw in too many unnecessary twists and turns. At just over and a half, this movie is probably about its perfect length to keep you gripped and engaged without having to throw in  too many distractions that would act against the main story.

Overall - 7.5/10 Don't expect to see any of the cast or crew on the stage picking up Oscars, but its an extremely well -done, thrill-packed, exciting, adrenaline-fuelled ride that will suck you in despite yourself.