Since 1992
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Skyscraper
(Universal Pictures/Legendary Pictures)
By Lucas Allen
Thirty years ago, “Die Hard” became an instant action movie classic, a story about one lone cop against a group of money-robbing terrorists. Not only did it spawn sequels, with another supposedly on the way, it also inspired countless rip-offs and imitations. Some were better than others, and “Skyscraper” has a lot to overcome if it wants to stand out from the pack. It’s written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, who directed the hit comedy “Central Intelligence.”
After a traumatic accident leaves him with a prosthetic leg, fromer Marine Will Sawyer (Dwayne Johnson) now works as a security consultant at Hong Kong’s tallest building, The Pearl. He also lives there with his doctor wife, Sarah (Neve Campbell), and twin children, Georgia (McKenna Roberts) and Henry (Noah Cottrell). He assures the building’s billionaire creator, Zhao Long Ji (Chin Hin), that every advanced technological aspect of the building is inspected and confirmed that it’s well-armed and capable of protecting itself from any danger.
That assumption is put to the test when a heavily armed group of mercenaries led by the ruthless Kores Botha (Roland Moller) sets the 96th floor on fire, trapping Zhao, Sarah, and the kids above it. Framed for the crime and on the run from the cops, Will uses his wit and muscle to make his way to the burning building. He eventually finds out that Botha’s motive is to steal a piece of important information that Zhao has in possession. Botha also threatens to kill Sarah and the kids if Will doesn’t retrieve what the mercenary wants. Now the ex-marine will have to find a clever way to stop the terrorists and save his family if he is able to survive the blazing inferno.
Not only the film’s plot lift certain parts of “Die Hard,” it also took inspiration from the classic 1974 disaster film “The Towering Inferno,” and mutate those two things together into one blazing film. It’s nothing special or anything to write home about, but it succeeds in what it sets out to do and entertain the summer movie crowd. Basically, it’s a wholesale direct-to-video rip-off of a classic action movie that has a big enough budget and star power to make it to theaters. For what it’s worth, it didn’t disappoint nor does its 105-minute runtime feel too long.
If there’s one thing this movie fails at, it is the predictable cookie-cutter band of foreign terrorists who aren’t intimidating enough to be terrifying especially when they keep making one dumb decision after another. They certainly don’t hold a candle to Hans Gruber and his cohorts, who are better at planning and execution than this movie’s villains. No matter what you feel about the villains in the other “Die Hard” movies, they at least put more effort into their evildoing ways.
Despite that problem, this movie has enough thrilling scenes and absurd moments to keep you entertained. Even with CG fire going everywhere, the actors seem to be reacting to it pretty realistically. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to know that Sawyer is using the Red Green method of treating his wounds.
All the actors do fine work trying to elevate the material to the best of their ability. Johnson once again brings a likable charm and muscular intensity to his character in a movie that’s better at pacing and realism than his most recent film Rampage. Campbell does a good job adding courage and intelligence to her damsel-in-distress role.
It’s not going to be well-remembered on its own terms in the years to come, but “Skyscraper” will likely appeal to the masses looking for more fun times in the theater. This is more like the B-feature for any action movie double feature playing with the better A-feature. Still, that would make an extended fun time at the movies.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for sequences of gun violence and action, and for brief strong language)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3 Stars (Out of Four)
