Right away, Rampage is ready to rumble. A gorilla, a wolf, and a crocodile get sprayed by a mist from an experiment gone wrong, and monster mayhem is unleashed. Only the charm and size of Dwayne Johnson can tame these beasts from bashing in Chicago while we watch it crumble. Director Brad Peyton (San Andreas) is used to putting Johnson in the center of chaos, then having him just do his thing. But, that doesn’t always quite do the trick. Did you see Baywatch? You won’t believe me when I tell you. But, The Rock’s muscles aren’t big enough to lift this bulky blockbuster above pointless.
Johnson plays Davis Okoye, a former member of Army Special Forces and now a primatologist. But, he ain’t a people person. That’s why his best bud is George, an albino gorilla rescued by Davis from poachers long ago. Their back-and-forth banter is to die for. Seriously though, a virus that makes George a whole lot bigger starts to put a strain on his and Davis’ friendship.
Davis wants answers and Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris) just may have them since she created this genetically mutating sickness after all. She’s a disgruntled employee of Energyne and what was supposed to be a cure was made into a curse. Those responsible for that are Claire Wyden (Malin Akerman) and her dummy brother Brett (Jake Lacy). They run the lab and are the true villains by turning innocent animals into overgrown, massive weapons with God-like strength and giant teeth.
Obviously, Davis and Dr. Kate must take the company down. Well, figuratively since the creatures will crush it physically. They get some unlikely assistance from a CIA cowboy, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who struts around talking with a John Wayne twang. This ain’t the western he is looking for, but good for him for not taking shit seriously.
Rampage comes from a “vintage” video game about smashing the hell out of everything. Easy enough for Peyton. Go big or go home, right? Add a crocodile with tusks and a porcupine wolf that can fly and George has two play pals set to deliver the destruction we all deserve. When this terrifying trio begin to take chunks out of each other, it’s the only time Rampage injects some encouragement in to its empty-headed entertainment.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association and the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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