In 2001 an unmanned train began a 66 mile journey though northwest Ohio with no one at the controls. This was all due to the engineer’s error of leaving the train to switch the track and not setting the controls properly. This true event was the basis for the story of the film Unstoppable, a wonderfully written fast paced action film that is well worth every second of your time.
Unstoppable storyline however it does not take places in Ohio as the real story does, instead taking place in Pennsylvania. Two men, Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington) , a veteran railroad engineer and Will Colson (Chris Pine), a young train conductor are on a routine train ride taking box cars loaded with cargo to their next destination. Meanwhile, in a train yard miles away, a rogue train carrying toxic chemicals gets away when its engineer leaves the train to switch the track and sets the controls wrong. The train company goes into damage control right away. The train is traveling at 70 miles per hour, and the fear is that if it reaches Scranton PA, where there is a dead man’s curve in the track, that it could potentially destroy the city by hitting the fuel tanks that are right next to the tracks. When all attempts to stop the train fail, the problem falls into the hands of Frank and Will. The two men detach the engine car from their train and in reverse head towards the deadly runaway train in an attempt to stop it.
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!!!! That pretty much sums up this movie in a nutshell. This has got to be the best action film of 2010, hands down. It has a great dynamic, yet simple story that was evenly paced and hit all the dramatic strong points just enough to keep the tension levels high and your heart pumping. The script is great. It’s one of those storylines where you feel for all the characters. You love some of them, and you hate some of them. It’s one of those films that just grabs you and never let’s go.
The production value for the film is top notch. Everything from the sets, locations action sequences, explosions and stunts are remarkable. The performances in the film shine as well. Denzel Washington is, as always, great. Chris Pine is perfect in his role and the supporting cast of Rosario Dawson, Kevin Dunn, Lew Temple, Ethan Suplee and Kevin Corrigan round out the great cast.
The Blu-ray disc comes with a digital copy of the film as well. The special features on the disc include audio commentary with Director Tony Scott, and a few featurettes such as The Fastest Track: Unleashing Unstoppable, Derailed: Anatomy of a Scene, Hanging on the Train: Stunt Work, On the Rails with the Director and Cast, and Tracking the Story: Unstoppable Script Development. There is also the BD-Live feature with live lookup on IMDB.com and Live Extras. Pocket Blu is also available to transfer the film to your mobile device.
Unstoppable is a fantastic film. I cannot give it enough praise. It’s one of those films that I stayed glued on my couch and didn’t get up until the credits were well over. It is an intense 96 minutes of adrenaline filled fun. In my opinion it’s the best action film of 2010 and I highly recommend renting, if not buying this disc. It’s well worth it.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
