Film: Skyscraper

GENRE: Action

RATING: PG13 for violence and some language
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 42 minutes

STARRING: Dwayne Johnson (Jumanji 2, Moana, Rampage, Baywatch)

Neve Campbell (Scream), Chin Han (The Dark Knight, Ghost in the Shell)

DIRECTOR: Rawson Marshall Thurber (Dodgeball, Central Intelligence)

WRITER: Thurber (Dodgeball, Central Intelligence)

PLOT: The Rock jumps into a burning skyscraper to save his family from terrorists. From a crane.  

FULL DISCLOSURE: Low expectations but felt compelled.

STORY STUFF: Where to begin? Skyscraper tries to be Die Hard but dies easily and quickly. This film was cringingly predictable. The first five minutes or so set up all the obstacles and solutions that would happen at the end of the film. The casting department should be fired. Two of the people introduced were so obviously bad guys; the actors often play bad guys and they even look evil. Epic fail. I also hate it when cops are morons and are untrusting of the protagonists. Also, joining the cops to possibly take down people instead of staying safe with your asthmatic son? Mother of the year folks. This film is laughable and not intentionally. Mystery Science Theatre 3000 would have a hay day.

ACTING STUFF: Bad guy was terrible. Couldn’t even understand his accent at times. Campbell was okay but made some bonehead moves. Johnson got the job done but wasn’t as charismatic as he usually is. Everyone else was cardboard.

ARTISTIC STUFF: There were some interesting (and bizarre) aspects of the skyscraper. The stunts were comically impossible and mostly found in the trailer. Hard to believe you can scale the side of building with duct tape wrapped around your hands. Ethan Hunt is wasting too much money on gadgets in Mission: Impossible apparently.

VERDICT: Half a star out of five

SEE IT IF: You need something to snicker at or you’re a pyromaniac

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Mission: Impossible – Fallout