There was a time when America had a love affair with trains, before the age when American families thought it was their birth-rite to own 2.5 cars. And so, for most of America, the passenger train went the way of the Edsel, and about at the same time as well. I remember in early elementary school days taking one of the last passenger train rides from High Point to Greensboro N.C. and back.  But that was the 1950s, and this is now.  Alas, unless you live in or near the Amtrak corridors, or unless you are like R.J. Corman in Wilmore Kentucky, who has a train business repairing tracks, and also sponsors dinner trains,  the average American has little or no contact with trains…..unless of course we are talking about runaway or rouge freight-trains, which we hear about from time to time on the news (engineer falls asleep at the throttle, mayhem ensues).  

Denzel Washington’s new thriller is precisely that latter sort of tale, and it is indeed—- UNSTOPPABLE.  It’s old fashion film making at its best (using real trains, real people, real speed.  Filming at 60 mph is a thrill ride in itself).   This is not your old Western train heist movie or even the 3:10 to Yuma.   It is not the train movie of Hitchcock’s classic Strangers on a Train.   No, this is your basic adreanalin rush runaway train movie (cue Ozzie singing ‘Crazy Train’).   It is not for those with pace-makers, or those who are faint of heart.

Now as for me, I would go watch Denzel Washington play Barnie the purple dinosaur, but fortunately for me, this movie is much better than that.  In fact, it is the most highly rated major movie in the theater’s right now, indeed it is one of the most highly rated such movie this Fall.  How does a runaway train movie manage to get so many kudos from easily jaundiced critics?   Well consider the elements of the movie. 

First of all, once this train movie gets rolling, its rather like being on a roller coaster.  I had to check my seat now and again during the middle of this movie to see if I was seat belted in.  It is impossible to watch this movie and be bored.  Secondly, the soundtrack and the sound in general enhances this whole effect.  You feel like you are on that train and are holding on for dear life.  No need for buying Red Bull before watching this movie.  The movie itself gives you wings.  

Secondly,  Chris Pine and Denzel Washington are excellent in this film, and it does not really bother with subplots.  There is never a loss of focus, indeed the focus of this film is relentless. Even those with ADD will not lose interest in this film as we see the development of a friendship and partnership under fire as they try to stop a train running 70 miles an hour.  In case you were wondering this one hour and 38 minute thrill ride is based on actual events a while back in Pennsylvania and it plays up the rust belt angle to the hilt.  I feel like I have ridden through these towns now. 

Thirdly the cinematography is fantastic, especially the under the train shots as the train flies by above.  Amazing.  This movie doesn’t need CG or special effects.  Huge trains on the loose are enough, and the aerial shots are equally good as the underneath shots.   Tony Scott has done some fine films and many of them have been with Denzel Washington, including last years the Taking of Pelham 123 (and also Man on Fire and Deja Vu).  These cats know how to work together, and its fun to watch.

Fourthly, this movie has no sags, lags, or bags. In fact, nobody is going to get up and go get more popcorn during this film.  It is the epitome of an action flick, and if you are an action junkie, then the popcorn will need to wait.  A word should be said about Rosario Dawson who plays Connie the Dispatcher.  She is in one sense the glue that holds the various parts of the story together, and she is excellent as well.

One of the marks of a good movie is that it imagines to actually get the audience so into the action that they begin to feel the emotions of the main characters.  Fear and panic are dominant emotions in this movie, and if you don’t find yourself gripping your seat tightly and leaving your fingers in the furniture during this movie then you must have been sleeping through this film.  For an interesting interview with the cast and director check out this link—-http://www.collider.com/2010/11/06/denzel-washington-chris-pine-tony-scott-interview-unstoppable/?_r=true

This movie is rated PG-13 and it should be fine for most kids, except those who are easily frightened by big noise and the like.  It may be a bit too intense and scary for young children, but perhaps I am forgetting that they have been playing video games that are tre violent.    In any case,  this is one fun film.  Enjoy!