Rampage (2018)

User Review

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  TheMovieDiorama

  7 / 10

  Rampage ferociously ravages the senses and brings our worst fears of biological weaponry to life. Sounds dark and savage, right? Surprisingly, one of the unexpected elements to this blockbuster is just how gritty and ruinous the narrative's tone is. And you know what? I flipping loved it! Damn, was not expecting to enjoy this and yet there I was walking out with a reinvigorated attitude. Hell yeah! A primatologist teams up with an enraged-infected albino gorilla, whose size has considerably increased, to prevent two other colossal creatures from destroying Chicago. Genetic editing, weaponised pathogens, artificial aggression...it's absurdly ludicrous. I mean just plain stupid. Fortunately, the film knows this and it wants you to know that it knows this. So, it turns up the game adaptation's fun to "button mashing" mode and ensures you enjoy the combinations. What really surprised me was the perfect balance of comedy and darkness. The opening sequence resembled a harrowing horror film, and the usage of gore throughout was ever present. The tone was consistently forboding. Inject this with a light hearted screenplay and a rounded piece of entertainment is crafted. Yes, the plot is unoriginal and I'm sure many will think "isn't this Transformers?" and yes, the primary antagonist reveals the plot as she acts out her evil scheme. The little human character development is forced, although needed where Harris and Johnson emit excellent chemistry. It's all very heavy handed, yet it's just so undeniably entertaining! I was reclining back into my seat as this giant skyscraper slowly crumbles and decimates the urban community below. The visually stunning designed creatures as they rip through military vehicles like a kid playing on an Atari 2600 (not a pretty sight...). Dwayne Johnson being Dwayne Johnson. Pure destructive awesomeness that has both heart and emotive presence. Especially the third act which was ridiculously engaging. Oh, and Peyton even threw in some long takes during the action sequences! Bonus points. Suffice to say, I needed a blockbuster like this. One of the surprises of the year for me.

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