This is definitely one of those “turn off your brain and just let things happen” movies.
Recently, I reviewed San Andreas, and I said that no matter what implausible action film Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is in, it’s hard to find fault with the guy. His 2018 movie, Rampage, proves that still holds true. The movie is the epitome of silly action movies but I liked it anyway.
The plot centers around a secret pathogen developed by a company called Energyne. When Athena-1, their space-station laboratory, explodes, three canisters of the chemical are scattered across the United States. One lands in the Everglades and is devoured by an alligator. The second crashes in Wyoming, where it cracks open and is inhaled by a wolf. The third is discovered by George, an albino gorilla living in San Diego’s Wildlife Sanctuary. After being exposed, all three animals begin growing at an accelerated rate.
George’s caretaker, Davis Okoye (Johnson) is shocked when his gorilla doubles in size and becomes unusually aggressive. Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris) contacts him and explains that she knows how to cure him. Unfortunately, the government — particularly an agent named Russell (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) — and Energyne’s evil CEO, Claire Wyden (Malin Akerman) get involved and things go sideways.
What follows is a silly excuse to get the three mutated creatures into a small area and have them duke it out. It sounds like the plot of a video game and, in fact, Rampage is based on a series of video games featuring — wait for it — three mutated monsters who battle it out in a confined space.
Thankfully, director Brad Peyton, who helmed the aforementioned San Andreas, knows how to handle this type of material. Although the action gets a bit gruesome at times, this is a fairly lighthearted action/adventure movie with giant monsters. If you spend to much energy thinking about how the events transpire, everything would immediately unravel. This is definitely one of those “turn off your brain and just let things happen” movies.
Dwayne Johnson is, as always, his usual likable self. Although he never actually breaks the fourth wall, he does make several comments that let the audience know he’s in on the silliness. Jeffrey Dean Morgan appears to be enjoying himself playing Russell, the cowboy-turned-government agent. Everyone else is more or less just along for the ride. Poor Naomie Harris, fresh off her acclaimed role in Moonlight, plays things a little too seriously.
The special effects are excellent, the action is fast-paced, and the fact that half of Chicago is destroyed doesn’t seem to upset too many people. That sums up the whole film. It’s silly, fun, and ultimately immediately forgettable.
3.0 out of 5.0 stars
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