Unstoppable

This is director Tony Scott's fifth collaboration with Washington, so at this point, we know what to expect when the two work together: explosions, intense action sequences, and Washington chewing up the scenery. UNSTOPPABLE, which is based on real events, is actually much simpler (there's no real villain, just a mildly greedy train corporation and the train itself), less violent (the body count stops at one), and funnier than previous Scott/Washington outings (Suplee and a couple of other supporting actors provide much-needed comic relief). As Washington ages (his character here is being forced to retire), it only makes sense that their films should mellow a bit too, and it works.

At first Washington and Pine seem to have no real chemistry, but as the movie lurches forward and the dramatic tension is set up, they start to play off each other well. And it's always a pleasure to see two such charismatic actors (although Pine, like in the film, is definitely the novice to Washington's master craftsman) spar and then find common ground. It's also refreshing to see Dawson play a female leader in a profession where that surely isn't the norm; she proves once again that she doesn't always need to be the stereotypical leading lady to nail a role. This isn't one of those action movies anyone will be talking about in 10 years -- the way Crimson Tide remains one of the best submarine movies in film history -- but it's a decent nailbiter with exceptional actors.