Jeri Jacquin
In theatres from writer/director Rawson Marshall Thurber and
Universal Pictures comes the story of a family man, bad guys and a tall
building called a SKYSCRAPER.
Will Sawyer (Dwayne Johnson) is a former FBI man who has
begun a small security business of his own. Through the help of Ben (Pablo
Schreiber), a former member of his FBI team, Will has been given the
opportunity of a lifetime. Doing the security check of the highest skyscraper
in the world owned by Zhao Long Ji (Chin Han), Will is more than a little
nervous.
Living in the family section of the building that is waiting
to be open to the public is wife Sarah (Neve Campbell) who is a successful
doctor in her own right. Also, their twins Georgia (McKenna Roberts) and Henry
(Noah Cottrell) are enjoying the adventure living in Hong
Kong .
Meeting with Zhao, Will is given the okay to complete his
security work and given a tablet that allows only him access to certain areas
of the building. Headed to the off site facility, Will is attacked and his
satchel is stolen. Ben is there to help and discovers that Will still has what
it takes. It becomes clear that there is something more sinister happening when
Kores Botha (Roland Moller) enters the building.
Seen by Sarah in the hallways, it is soon after that a fire
alarm goes off! Will figures out that the building is under attack and tries to
reach his family when he realizes they are in their apartment. He is surprised
when it is put on the big screens around Hong Kong
that he is the one responsible for it all.
A police headquarters is set up and led by Inspector Wu
(Byron Mann) who is suspicious about everything that has been happening.
Putting a call out to find Will, it doesn't take long. On a building next to
the skyscraper, Will is finding his own way back into the building that has now
been locked down with police hot on his trail.
Zhao is told by his handlers and Mr. Pierce (Noah Taylor)
that Will's family is still in the building and they try to retrieve them. As
the fire burns out of control and Zhao realizes that his building has been
compromised, he knows it's time to go and who is responsible for everything.
None of that matters to Will, he wants his family safe and
no billionaire, bad guy or skyscraper is going to stop him!
Johnson as Sawyer is a man with heart, soul and a deep
understanding of family. Now, let’s get down to business with this role. Of
course this is a 'disaster' film and it looks like a few we've seen over the
years yet bit when Dwayne Johnson takes the lead it's all good with me. He
always portrays a charmingly humble sort of guy who knows what the right thing
is and doesn't hesitate to do it. His characters are always flawed in some way
and as Sawyer; he is a man who has a physical disability that doesn't slow him
down. He's smart, unwavering and determined to make sure his family comes first
and that's what makes him a good dude.
I also must say that if the universe is looking for another
Spiderman, they might want to consider Dwayne Johnson (you will understand when
you see the film). I was also impressed with little tricks that I kept
thinking, “I bet John McClane (DIE HARD) is mad he didn’t think of that”. Just
a great homage to a lot of classic disaster and action films I happen to love.
Campell as Sarah is a pretty darn good woman in her own
right. She is supportive of her husband, smart with an important career and
equally as dedicated to her family. When it all starts to go down, Campell goes
into beast mode and makes it clear she is a force to be reckoned with as well.
I enjoyed that about her role, she gets her hands dirty and clearly isn't a
pushover. That goes for Roberts as daughter Georgia and Cottrell as son Henry
as these two are afraid (with every reason to be) yet are motivated by the
example set by their parents.
Moller as bad guy Botha is quiet, skilled and doesn't give a
hoot who gets in his way. He has a score to settle and settle it he absolutely
will. Schreiber as Ben is the man who starts it all using his friendship with
Will. Taylor
Other cast include Kevin Rankin as Ray, Matt O'Leary as
Skinny Hacker, Tzi Ma as Fire Chief Sheng, Adrian Holmes as Ajani Okeke, and
Elfina Luk as Sgt. Han.
SKYSCRAPER has pretty much everything you go to see an
action film for. Although the storyline might seem familiar in a few ways, it
certainly doesn't take away from what happens on screen. Johnson goes in full
force and doesn't waste any time taking his character for a full on adventure
but then again we have come to expect that from him - happily so.
Look, I've been a fan of disaster films since I was a kid.
My earliest experience in disasters on film was watching the 1953 film TITANIC
with Clifton Webb and Barbara Stanwyck which captivated me from start to finish
much to my mother's dismay. After that I couldn't wait to see what Hollywood
Now, SKYSCRAPER will be one of those films that I will stop
and watch every time it comes my way. I enjoyed watching Johnson be a part of a
family that fights for their survival and not be a victim of it which I'm sure
the bad guys didn't anticipate. Instead, I cheered them all on and boo'd when the
bad guys showed their ugly mugs.
That's what makes films like SKYSCRAPER so enjoyable - the
interaction that many in the theatre along with me enjoyed being a part of.
There is something to be said for being outspoken when the characters on screen
give us something to cheer about. Finally, this film is just one heck of a good
time at the theatres with a bucket of popcorn and a comfy seat.
In the end - don't look down!
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