TL;DR
Blast cities and giant monsters with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in *Rampage*! This action flick delivers stunning CGI, especially with George the gorilla, and non-stop destruction. While the villains are a bit over-the-top and the plot is predictable, it's a fun, nostalgic popcorn movie. If you're looking for eye-popping visuals and pure entertainment, check out the full review to see if this big blockbuster is for you.
I acquired the game Rampage for my Atari 1040 ST nearly 30 years ago, and it swiftly became a favorite. It was played extensively, almost daily, in my home. The ability to demolish cities alongside friends was incredibly engaging. However, the initial thrill diminished after a week or so; despite the enjoyment derived from smashing pixelated environments, the gameplay eventually became somewhat repetitive. My friends, however, remained enthusiastic. Every gathering invariably involved repeated sessions of the game. I’m about to reveal a long-held secret of 30 years, perhaps it’s time for a confession… More on this later in the review.
Primatologist Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson) shares a profound connection with the albino gorilla George (Jason Liles), having cared for him since his mother’s death at the hands of poachers. George possesses exceptional intelligence and communicates with Davis through sign language. An experiment conducted in outer space goes awry; prior to the station’s destruction, three samples escape and crash to Earth. These samples interact with a wolf, a crocodile, and George. George’s disposition changes, becoming aggressive, and alarmingly, he begins to grow. Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris) emerges, providing crucial information regarding the events affecting George. A race against time ensues to prevent these creatures from reaching their full size and targeting the nearest urban center.
Dwayne Johnson’s career trajectory has been remarkable since his debut as the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns. Even then, his potential was evident. A well-known meme humorously suggests that the only individual surpassing Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson himself. The subtitle “Big Meets Bigger” is likely a direct reference to this.
Director Brad Payton frequently collaborates with Johnson; Rampage marks their third joint project, following Journey 2 and San Andreas. The film showcases some of the most impressive visual effects witnessed in cinema. George is entirely computer-generated, with Jason Liles providing motion capture. Nuances like sawdust clinging to his fur within the cage are particularly impressive; at times, the realism makes it difficult to discern between a digital creation and reality. While the film generally adheres to a straightforward narrative, the antagonists, portrayed by Malin Åkerman and Jake Lacy, are depicted as excessively villainous, bordering on caricature, contrasting with Dwayne’s more grounded portrayal. However, these details fade into the background as the large-scale destruction commences.
Dwayne Johnson’s casting as Okoye is well-suited. Unlike some action stars of the past (presumably referencing Arnold Schwarzenegger // eds. note), Johnson exhibits greater acting range. However, the film’s narrative does not offer extensive opportunities for nuanced emotional expression.
Naomi Harris, recognized for her role as Miss Moneypenny, portrays a character with significant insight into the unfolding events. Regrettably, Naomi’s role remains underdeveloped and somewhat superficial.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan embodies the hardened agent Harvey Russel, complete with a Colt 45 in an improbably uncomfortable holster. He possesses a captivatingly ambiguous quality, adding intrigue to the film.
Malin Åkerman delivers a spirited performance as the villainous Claire Wyden. Her portrayal is wonderfully cynical and malicious, perhaps to the point of becoming somewhat exaggerated, as previously noted, alongside her on-screen brother Brett Wyden (Jake Lacy).
Overall, this is an enjoyable popcorn movie with impressive visuals, humor, and action. The primary drawback is the lack of significant surprises; the narrative trajectory is easily anticipated. Nevertheless, I recommend viewing it, if only for the sake of nostalgia.
This image represents the original game’s visuals, depicting George, Ralph, and Lizzie causing city-wide destruction.
As mentioned, I intended to reveal a secret I’ve held for three decades. The situation was as follows: Every time we convened, our sole activity was playing Rampage. Eventually, I grew weary of it, unlike my friends, who consistently desired to play the game repeatedly. Consequently, one day, I intentionally damaged the floppy disk to encourage alternative activities beyond indoor computer gaming. There, confession made. Apologies, it was my doing.
