Rampage

Movie review by Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Rampage Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Big, loud, occasionally gory game-based adventure.

PG-13 2018 107 minutes
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 33 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 57 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Rampage, which is loosely based on a classic 1980s video game, is a pretty gory action/adventure movie with some genuine gross-out moments. It will likely appeal to many tweens and teens thanks to star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who plays a renowned primatologist with an unusually close bond to a gorilla named George. A rogue genetic experiment (bolstered by an evil corporate lab) causes George and two other animals to grow to multiple times their size and strength; they then start rampaging through cities, causing massive destruction and casualties. Expect tons of violence, including a few cringeworthy, bloody scenes (people are shown eyeless and flattened into red goo) and life-and-death action. Johnson's character is injured multiple times (he's even shot), but as always, nothing keeps him from saving the day. There's also some flirting and fairly frequent strong language (mostly "s--t" and "a--hole") and a couple of crude jokes -- including a hand gesture by the gorilla. But in the end, the movie has messages about teamwork and courage, too.

Community Reviews

Angel M.
Angel M. Adult
January 21, 2023
age 14+

Christian Parents, Here's Your Heads-Up

I went through the checks before I sat down to watch this movie with my grandson and received great reviews. There is some bad language, the one that bothered me horribly was the use of God's name in vain and that was used 3 different times throughout this movie. This is a deal breaker for me and this is what I always try to check for when looking in the reviews. It seems like they can take an excellent movie and totally destroy it with these hurtful words. Just wanted to give a heads-up to anyone else that has a probably with the the use of God's name this way. Outside of the language the movie was great. Action packed and a little scary and with no nudity involved. I honestly do not understand why anyone would want to add God's Name In Vain to any movie. It's not going to help make the movie sell more tickets or DVD'S. Actually, that would be the total opposite. If I had known I would never have purchased this movie. I wish actors and actresses alike would refuse taking God's name in vain and maybe it would stop. Some ppl may not care but there are still a lot left that do. Because of the scary parts I would say 14+ unless the child is very mature with scary movies but because of using God's name this way I would not suggest it to be watched. I honestly wish someone would have written this information in one of the many reviews I read.

This title has:

Too much swearing
GREATREVEWS
GREATREVEWS Adult
August 11, 2022
age 9+

big big movie good aswell

rampage is a really good movie my 8 year old now 9 year old he wanted to watch it on his birthday. Great film and the only bad part is the mega croc biting wolfs head off. Really great story.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 33 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Based on a classic 1980s arcade game, RAMPAGE tells the story of what happens when genetic modification research conducted in space crashes into Earth and alters the DNA of three animals: a gorilla in a California wildlife center, a wolf in Wyoming, and a crocodile in Florida. The gorilla, called George, has a special bond with primatologist Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson), with whom he communicates via sign language. So when George grows substantially in size and strength overnight, Davis knows something is wrong. He confirms this strangeness when lab scientist Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris) arrives at the zoo and explains that the changes must be tied to research she did at her former lab, which is currently being run by greedy, downright evil siblings Claire (Malin Ackerman) and Brett (Jake Lacy) Wyden. Government agent Harvey Russell (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) shows up to take control, but things get truly horrific after the Wydens emit a powerful frequency to attract George and the supersized wolf and crocodile to the Wyden Labs headquarters in Chicago. Davis and Kate follow the animals' path in hopes of finding a cure that will stop the giant animals, rescue George, and save humanity from the huge, rampaging predators.

Is It Any Good?

Even the immensely likable Johnson can't save this video game-based adventure from its laughable premise and ridiculous dialogue. Johnson's character is downright invincible in Rampage: He survives so much -- including actual gunshots (which he treats like nothing more than irritating mosquito bites) -- that you can't help but giggle aloud whenever he looks "injured." It's impossible to take anything in the film seriously when everyone is a "type." The Wydens are so unambiguously evil that you almost expect them to have monocles, top hats, and mustaches to twirl as they cackle maniacally. Ackerman's Claire actually refers to black ops consultants as "Killers R Us." Oh, and speaking of the mercenaries, they're led by a machine gun-wielding Joe Manganiello, who's not in the movie long enough to be more than a glorified cameo but is memorable nonetheless.

Despite Rampage's many flaws -- we won't even speak of the made-up science -- there's a certain amount of amusement in watching Johnson win at pretty much everything he does. He's nearly as much of a giant on screen as George the gorilla, and anyone who isn't entertained by The Rock's presence likely wouldn't see this movie in the first place. As a fan, it's never a complete waste of time to watch him do his heroic thing, but it's also not necessary to support such a violent, unimaginative, unremarkable action film.

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