REVIEW: Skyscraper Doesn’t Take Us to New Heights
Skyscraper is filled with action and insane heights, just don’t go in looking for a plot. Dwayne Johnson, who has established himself as the pre-eminent action star, plays Will Sawyer, a private security contractor. He’s tasked with finding the security failings, if any, of the world’s tallest building. The former FBI Hostage and Response team leader and father believes his task to be standard until some nefarious goons siege the building. These men intend to hold the building’s owner, Zhao Min Zhi, played by Chin Han, hostage until he provides them with the funds they previously blackmailed him for.
Chaos ensues when the terrorists also frame Will for the destruction of the building. Will (Johnson) now has to save Zhi, rescue his trapped family (who is, of course, still inside the burning building), and attempt to reign in the fire.
On paper, Skyscraper sounds like it could be a cool movie. Unfortunately, the plot is sparse and several characters are redundant. Part of what made other action films successful is a solid script and the audience caring for the characters. That’s never quite achieved in Skyscraper. The script basically doesn’t exist, there are just a few lines to move us from one intense action scene to the next.
Johnson is incredibly likeable and does a nice job as Will. And it is great to see Neve Campbell on the big screen again as his wife, Sarah. These two had a nice chemistry to them, but the great thing about the pairing was how Sarah was just as tough as her husband. It wasn’t just Johnson kicking butt (he does a lot of that), Sarah also gets some bad-ass moments.
The remaining characters are essentially useless. There are too many evil people to count and the non-evil folks are simply there to take the audience to the next height-defying mission Johnson has to overcome. Not one character, including the leads, is given anything to work with. Johnson and Campbell get away with being so well-liked in real life it translates to the screen.
If you have a fear of heights, I would not suggest seeing the movie. There are certain scenes that literally make you feel like you are on top of the skyscraper with Will. For everyone else, I suggest waiting until the movie comes out On Demand.
Grade: C-