Rampage (film): Well, it made a bunch of money
Recently Mark Hamill said in relation to Star Wars: "remember folks, it doesn't matter if it's good, only if it makes money."
Of course he wasn't talking about Rampage, but he may as well have been.
For those that are not old enough, the entire premise for this movie is based on rather popular but stupid video game from the 80's where you could play as a mutated ape, lizard type thing, or wolf; and proceed to try to rip cities apart.
It makes me wonder what goes on in these Hollywood offices when they greenlight these things. Have they simply run out of ideas? Apparently they approved a $120 million budget for it which eventually became more than a quarter billion after advertising campaigns were factored in. So I suppose there are a lot of people out there that are happy that audiences don't really require a story of any sort because this movie ended up taking in nearly $500 million.
The "plot" goes like this: The Rock is a primatologist (I had to look that word up) who has built a lifelong relationship with an gorilla named George. He and George are able to communicate via sign language and to be fair, although the relationship is completely ridiculous when compared to people that actually do this for a living, it is touching.
So some stuff falls from space and whatever animal it comes in contact with grows at an exponential rate and George just happens to be one of the lucky recipients. There is also a wolf and, i guess a crocodile that get mutated by the same space stuff.
All 3 mutant beasties are enraged and drawn to Chicago by a radio signal that has been amplified at the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago. This is because some evil company that is responsible for the mutations in the first place has devised some method of how this mayhem is going to manifest into big profits somehow - i think it was explained in the movie but I had lost interest at that point.
Conventional weaponry is completely useless on them of course because you know, missiles and miniguns on Apache helicopters that are designed to shoot through cement and steel, have no affect at all on animals mutated by space dust. It is good to know though, that once the Rock has some small arms and grenades, he is able to do some damage that the entire US military couldn't figure out (it's all about placement!)
I will say this: the CGI in this movie is very well done, but this doesn't even begin to compensate for the fact that the story is just dumb. I don't like this sort of cinema but if you are into the huge budget, predictable, paper-thin storyline films with lots of explosions. This might be for you.
Video game adaptations into films have been ongoing with a curse from missing a specific target audience. Resident Evil's are not great films but have been entertaining with its action. The new Tomb Raider reboot was surprisingly good but could have been more. And there are other lacklusters like Prince of Persia, Doom, Silent Hill, ect. A movie about three giant monsters of a crocodile, gorilla, and a grey wolf causing a mass destruction in a city. Yes, that is what the arcade games are about and that is exactly what you can expect in this Rampage film. At least, it is one hell of a wild ride of fun. So don't expect any award winning script with great dialogue, a long developing story, or logic with characters choices in the movie. If you leave all the critical thinking out before watching the film, you will find the film to be what it is. And it does its job, which is entertaining and being a lot of fun.
Hilarious review, especially in your decimation of the risible science underlying the Rock's mysterious success at tackling the Beasts.
In another point of agreement with you, I will concede that it is desperately sad that CGI spectacles are now 90 percent of all cinema, at least in terms of how many screens they dominate, and how much investment they attract. Sad.
Where I do part ways with you on this one is in two respects:
(1) I adore The Rock. While he is a less than competent actor, whose emoting is in line with his nickname, he is a marvellous avatar for those geeks among us who go to the cinema to identify with, and imagine we are, giant indestructible hunks, who just happen to be awesomely cool, and uber-useful with a oneliner, as well lol;
(2) When a movie gets THIS silly, with Crocs and Godzillas and King Kong's and Water monsters, it's just too funny in a so-bad-its-good way to ever criticize.
I love that you reviewed this supersilly movie lol. Cheers. ;)
yeah, it has been a day of disappointments for me. For people that read all my stuff maybe it appears as though I am just in a bad mood but no, I honestly didn't like any of the stuff I chose to view / play today. :)
Aww, cheer up. As Scarlet O'Hara breathily announced eighty years ago: "Tomorrow is another day." Lol
Hiii... Gooddream
Good Morning...
This is the great movie, i see this movie twice in my mother language hindi.
I want to watch this movie in 3D.but,this is not possible.
This movie explains relation between animal and person.
Climax is great of this movie.
Monkey always do great comedy...
Great Post... Bro
they see this video game and make a story of this game in movie
I also noticed it, I think Hollywood has really got no more ideas, just spending money on a movie to look good but ends up being a repitition or copy of some old thing or script.
For me I love good stories too but sometimes when the acting and directing of the movies coupled with a very good CGi in a movie, the story line doesn't really matter much.
For this movie, I agree that the story didn't really make sense but the acting and graphics was Top notch. I must say that I enjoyed every single bit of this movie from the beginning to the end.
I am a huge fan of Dwayne Johnson and I don't think I have seen any movie he featured in that I didn't enjoy.
Presently waiting for Skyscraper
Hi gooddream. Never saw it and think I am fortunate as don't think I will enjoy it. If the story line is not great then it would be a waste of time. Thanks for reviewing as I know now to dodge.
I give that movie 8/10 and that's coz the story wasn't so on point...
Absolutely wonderful. This movie is gonna make billions and I bet it has. Because it is a sensational movie with some awesome stars like rock and the fact that it's Hollywood. The story is great and the trailer just awwwwww. Lovely movie. I am watching it at any cost. Thanks for sharing. Movies like these are my favorite. Please add more of these in upcoming blogs.
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