Read Katie's review of Skyscraper.
Global icon Dwayne Johnson leads the cast of Legendary’s Skyscraper as former FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader and U.S. war veteran Will Sawyer, who now assesses security for skyscrapers. On assignment in China he finds the tallest, safest building in the world suddenly ablaze, and he’s been framed for it. A wanted man on the run, Will must find those responsible, clear his name and somehow rescue his family who is trapped inside the building...above the fire line.
Skyscraper is in theaters on July 13th, 2018.
Back in 1997 -- 21 years ago -- Neve Campbell was enjoying her new life as a scream queen following the smashing success of a little slasher flick you might know called Scream.
Meanwhile, The Rock was making his mark on the Attitude Era of the World Wrestling Federation, and had just lost his Intercontinental Championship to Owen Hart.
Never, reader, in a trillion years, did I dare to dream that one day, the two would be playing on-screen husband and wife. But here we are.
Will Sawyer (Dwayne Johnson) is a former FBI agent and current amputee who now assesses security for skyscrapers. Naturally. His wife Sarah (Neve Campbell) was on the team of doctors who saved his life the night he lost his leg. It's a tale as old as time.
When Will gains very specific access to the world's tallest -- and safest -- tower, The Pearl, located in Hong Kong, he signs up for more than he bargained for. Designed by Zhao Long Ji (Chin Han) to dwarf every other skyscraper on the planet and provide the best high-rise living with the most technologically advanced tourist attraction ever, The Pearl is nothing if not impressive.
Will's family are the first inhabitants of the residential half of the super-tall structure. It's plush and luxurious, offering everything you might need without ever setting foot outside again. Which may happen to the Sawyer's, unbeknownst to them.
The building comes under attack by terrorists who are after something within the building. It's all very reminiscent of Die Hard.
The film -- from start to finish -- is ridiculous. From the scene where we learn how Will lost his leg, to the final scene of the film where we wrap back around to the beginning, giving the audience the closure it needs.
This movie is so silly, everyone. That said, for as wacky as it is, it's also ACTION-PACKED. Suspenseful and wild, Skyscraper is a textbook example of a great summer film. It even includes a couple of well-timed laughs! It's actually kind of refreshing to see The Rock play a bit of an oaf.
Don't get me wrong, he's still oozing charisma, but he's a bit bumbly and takes a heck of a beating.
If you're like me, and you notice/remember weird details, keep an eye out for the way Neve Campbell runs. It has not changed since her days battling Ghost Face. I am more or less saying that, in a world where cinema is dominated by the Comic Book genre, Skyscraper kept my attention better than most of the new action films.
It kind of reminds me of that movie Battleship, from 2012. They knew they were making a movie that people weren't likely going to take seriously and they embraced it. I mean, all the old navy guys were just hanging out on that huge battleship that nobody ever used anymore and they got it up and running and won. Totally remarkable, totally ridiculous.
Skyscraper crushed my expectations. Granted, they were low, but there's something special about a movie that stars The Rock, being totally taken over by Neve Campbell.
I'd like to leave you with a line as cheesy as the film itself: Think you're ready to go to the top? DON'T LOOK DOWN.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Katie (Contributor ) is a cinephile and Chicago native who has been reviewing film for nearly a decade. Her heroes include Roger Ebert and Jay Sherman -- it stinks!
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