MOVIE REVIEW: The Rock Stands Tall in SKYSCRAPER

July 16, 2018
2 mins read

Skyscraper, Dwayne Johnson, Movie Review, EU Jacksonville

Release Date: July 13, 2018
Running Time: 1 hour and 42 minutes
Rated PG-13
Grade: B
Directed By: Rawson Marshall Thurber

Light a man’s house on fire and you’ll find out what he truly loves

Will Sawyer is a former US war veteran and FBI Hostage Rescue Team Leader who now runs a security assessment business from home. He is honored when his former FBI teammate, Ben, recommends him for employment to Zhao Long Ji in Hong Kong. Ji has built the world’s tallest super structure and named it The Pearl. Referenced by Ji as the world’s 8th wonder, The Pearl stands 240 stories high and is a self-contained city with a very unique Panic Room in the Penthouse. Sawyer brings his family along and they are housed on the 97th floor.  After his inspection, Sawyer deems that the fire and safety systems are impeccable, so he heads out to the off-site location to complete his assessment. When Sawyer and his companions are intercepted along the way, he realizes that something is horribly wrong.  His suspicion is reinforced when he sees that The Pearl’s 96th floor has been set ablaze and he has been framed for the destruction.  Sawyer confronts Ji to inquire as to why anyone would want to sabotage The Pearl, only to learn that the path to saving his family is paved with the determination of some of the world’s worst people.

Skyscraper, Dwayne Johnson, Movie Review, EU Jacksonville

It’s okay to be scared in order to be brave

Yes, it is true that Dwayne Johnson has released roughly one or two action movies per year lately. I, too, was curious to see if Skyscraper is more of the same or escalates The Rock to new heights. The hard cold truth is that it does! Dwayne Johnson takes a vaguely familiar plot and makes a movie that is as solid as a ‘rock’.  This WWE wrestler turned action movie star never relents when it comes to spectacular actions scenes and sincere performances. The Rock fans all over the world should be pleased with Universal Studios most recent release.

The supporting actors all pull their own weight as well, but Johnson carries this film on his gigantic shoulders. Although, I did not have the pleasure to see this one in 3D, given the breathtaking camera work which used Arri Alexa 65, Arri Alexa XT Plus, Panavision C-Series, ATZ and AWZ2 Lenses, I would dare say that the up-charge would be well worth it. As Rawson Marshall Thurber’s and Dwayne Johnson’s second collaboration together (the first being Central Intelligence), it is clear that the two professionals work well together with this one being Thurber’s first non-comedic directorial accomplishment.

The audience in my screening reacted as if they were on a roller coaster ride as soon as the back story was completed. They oohed, awed, cheered, and laughed throughout the film. I highly recommend that you be brave and run into the theater to see this one on the big screen. The sky is the limit when it comes to the action, thrills, and entertainment that Skyscraper has to offer. Go see it!  ~Movie Buffette

Starring:
Dwayne Johnson as Will Sawyer
Neve Campbell as Sarah Sawyer
Chin Han as Zhao Long Ji
Roland Moller as Kores Botha
Pablo Schieber as Ben
Bryon Mann as Inspector Wu
Noah Taylor as Mr. Pierce
Hannah Quinlivin as Xia

The Greatest Love of All: The Whitney Houston Story, Belinda Davids, EU Jacksonville
Previous Story

The Whitney Houston Story: Interview With South African Vocalist Belinda Davids

Cookie Dough Bliss Jax
Next Story

#EATUPJAX: More Grocery Stores, Cookie Dough Bliss, Blue Chocolat Come to Jacksonville & More

Latest from Feature

Nancy Wilson: Still Rocking, Still Writing, Still Raising Hell

By Teresa Spencer In a world where music icons are too often frozen in amber, Nancy Wilson remains in motion writing, playing, evolving. And when you speak with her, it’s clear the Hall of Famer hasn’t just survived rock and roll. She’s still breathing fire into it. At

Florida Theatre Ball: All that and a bag of chips

Words by Kerry Speckman The Florida Theatre held its signature fundraising gala last month, and can I just say what a ball it was. Held at the historic Downtown theater, the event was a ’90s-themed party with hundreds of guests donning their splashiest track suits, loudest graphic tees

Loud, Fast and Lifted: Lifted Riffs 

Words by Carmen Macri  “It wasn’t always the dream, you know, I didn’t always want to be a punk or a rockstar, it’s just something that kind of happened through life.”  Jacksonville’s music scene might seem like a thing of the past — if you’re not paying attention.

Are We Losing the 24-Hour City?

Words by Kaili Cochran When COVID hit, everything changed. It felt like the world shut down. Businesses ran on limited hours and most people started working remotely. But even five years after the pandemic ended, some changes haven’t gone away.  One of the most significant shifts is the

Nightlife Tech

Words by Kaili Cochran What does it mean to go out when the dance floor might be virtual, the music silent and your wristband reflects your mood in real time? Nightlife is constantly evolving and so are the ways we socialize and spend our time. Earlier this year
July 5th Cleanup
GoUp

Don't Miss

London Brown, From HBO’s ‘BALLERS’, is Doing It Real at Comedy Club of Jacksonville

London Brown feels at home on the stage. The electric

“Deepwater Horizon” – BP’s Gulf Oil Disaster

Release Date: September 30, 2016 Running Time: 1 hour and