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MOVIE REVIEW
Rundown, The
(2003)
Starring:
The Rock, Seann William Scott
Director:
Peter Berg
Rating: PG-13
Studio:
Universal
Release Date: 9.26.03
Review
Posted: 9.26.03
Spoilers:
None
By
Rachel Sexton
Humor and
Performances Drive "The Rundown"
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, pro-wrestler-turned-actor, had a less
than auspicious beginning with 2001's The Scorpion King.
He takes his second leading role in this film and proves his
appeal. It does indeed look as if he will be the next action
hero. The Rundown is a worthy action-comedy thanks to
effective humor, a well-plotted script, and pleasurable
performances.
"Retrieval expert" Beck (Johnson), who hates guns, agrees to do
one last job for boss Billy Walker so he can get out and start a
restaurant. Walker wants his wayward son Travis (Seann William
Scott) brought back from the Brazilian jungle. Travis, of
course, doesn't want to leave because he's found a valuable
artifact. Another problem is that the overlord of the town's
mine and the town itself, Hatcher (Christopher Walken), wants
the trinket at all costs.
Beck's need to open a restaurant is set up from the very first
image and sound. A radio broadcasts a show discussing mushrooms
to be used in dishes. Then Beck goes inside a club to do his
job. Look for an awesome cameo here from a certain action
star/gubernatorial candidate. Then we get an action scene. In
fact, a great action scene filmed with strobe lighting.
Subsequent action scenes are of the same high caliber and they
are outcomes of the plot and characters. The plot points are
believable and effectively spin the story in a different
direction.
Also, the comedy is frequently laugh-until-you-can't-breathe
funny. Look for the scenes with the monkey! I also love the
couple of running dialogue motifs: Beck offering the people he's
about to fight options A and B, and Travis' hilarious attempt to
fight by calling his two legs or hands Thunder and Lightning.
The ending is also satisfying and fits the rest of the story.
The music is used for good effect for the most part here,
especially at the point where Travis is in trouble and Beck
decides to use guns to help him. Plus, the lush jungle scenery
looks amazing. The cinematography is effective.
The Rock really impressed me here. His charm and physical ease
is appealing and I'm now eager to see him do more. Scott, a
gifted comic actor, proves that again here. The interaction
between these two is perhaps the thing part of the film. This is
almost a buddy comedy, though they are too antagonistic, even at
the end when they help each other, to be called buddies. Walken
is good, as usual, and effectively funny. Rosario Dawson is also
solid. Of the support, I loved Ewen Bremner (Pearl Harbor) as
the Scottish pilot who helps Beck. He's a treat.
Funny, action-packed and just an all-around good time, The
Rundown also goes far to bring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
stardom. If the rest of his films are like this one, I'll be in
line.
Rating:
κκκκ
(out of 5)
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