In his latest action film, “Skyscraper,” mega star Dwayne Johnson, playing Will Ford, literally co stars with his every sturdy sidekick… duct tape. Ever resourceful Will often uses his co star throughout his perilous quest to save his family from the burning building called “The Pearl,” in Hong Kong. Coincidence or not, the tape showcases hunky Dwayne taping his own deltoids. The bar for Dwayne Johnson movies is pretty low artistically, but hey, what do the artistes know?
Savvy Dwayne, currently one of the most popular and highest paid film stars, highly delivers in this cross between “Towering Inferno” and “Die Hard.” Written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, the film completely panders to The Rock’s slavishly devoted escapism fan base. Will Ford is an ex marine and hostage negotiator who loses his leg in a hostage situation gone wrong. Then ten years or so later, after he started his own security firm where he works out of his garage, he brings his devoted family including his wife Sarah, (Neve Campbell) a badass surgeon with two cute kids in tow to mysterious Hong Kong.
There a seedy jealous ex colleague of his seduces him to become involved with the security of the building and its’ owner. What Will quickly finds out is that there is a nefarious side to it, hence the villain Botha ( an evil Roland Moller.) Then the purposely-set fire and the all the thrilling antics that ensue. And yes, the prosthetic leg plays a role too.
What’s so fun about this film is that the action is nonstop. Fearless Will is never too injured or exhausted and has constant has life or death action sequences to perform. There are some jaw dropping spectacular sequences indeed; a crane scene as well as Will crawling on the side of the building and a scene where there are 317 projection panels that is fantastic. The fight scenes are innovative and gritty as well. Sure, there are tons of plot holes, but our fearless and heroic Will and family plow through them all. Exciting and explosive, “Skyscraper” is a fun popcorn turbo thrill ride worth taking.
Universal’s “Skyscraper” opens on July 13th.
