The 2018 action thriller Skyscraper, directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, is an edge of the seat thrill ride that also incorporates a type of disaster movie where adrenaline fueled stunts take center stage. The film has Johnson “The Rock” as its lead riding on waves of exciting action, magnificent special effects, and an emotional family tale. Not necessarily carving out a new path within the genre, Skyscraper is however an excellent summer blockbuster that is sure to please all audiences due to its gripping storylines and larger-than-life premise.
Plot Overview: A Race Against Time
The movie follows Will Sawyer (Dwayne Johnson), who is now a security consultant with a prosthetic leg, having served as the FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader in the past. Will has been assigned to evaluate the safety of ‘The Pearl,’ a Hong Kong skyscraper that tops all other buildings in height with 240 stories. This astounding piece of architectural beauty was designed by the visionary billionaire Zhao Long Ji, who is portrayed by Chin Han.
Will’s family, consisting of his wife, Sarah, and their two kids are trapped in the upper levels of a building. The situation worsens when a group of mercenaries, under the command of the ruthless Kores Botha, starts to set the skyscraper on fire, in an attempt to steal evidence from Zhao. As Will is trying to figure out a way to save his family and clear his name, he is being framed, which makes it increasingly difficult to escape the mess. He uses whatever skills he has to outsmart the mercenaries and beat them to the punch before the skyscraper comes sliding down.
Themes: Family, Resilience, and Heroism
- The Strength of Family
In its essence, the film skyscraper depicts the lengths a father is willing to go to for the love and commitment of their family. Will’s attempt to save his wife and children is the anchor of the entire film. Sawyer saves his family amidst the disastrous family dynamics that include trust, sacrifice, and deception.
- The Ability To Overcome Challenges
The will and demeanor of a person to overcome adversity serves as the crux in this story. Journeying through life as an amputee offers unique and contextual forms of challenges, but instead of being depicted as a disability, it is shown as a metaphor for his belief and willpower. One can take away the film sends an important message regarding acceptance and not using one’s circumstances to downplay their strengths.
- Valour In The Ordinary
Unlike many modern action films where superhuman abilities are a trademark, Skyscraper sets the hero in reality. At the center of the story is Will Sawyer, who takes all the risks without powers and instead, relies on logic, prior experience and endless guts. These traits underlie Skyscraper’s appeal, making him a great hero figure, for he illustrates how one can achieve the unachievable against all odds.
Adventure And Graphical Marvel
Skyscraper is pure magic from a visual perspective with stunning breathtaking moments that enable the audience to feel the thrill. The authoritative Pearl skyscraper that is made using effective CGI and production design stands tall as the heart of the movie with its innovatively formed structure and cutting-edge technology and becomes a character on its own.
The scenes in the film which are most relished are:
The Crane Jump: In a stunning scene, Will performs an act of sheer audacity when he jumps out of a construction crane only to land into a shattered window of a blazing skyscraper.
The Fire Escapes: Together with the flames, Will weaves through precariously hanging ledges, shattered glass, and crumbling buildings. Each move is pulse-enhancing and pushes his physical limits.
The Mirror Maze Showdown: The action intensifies when the characters move to the observation deck on the Skyscraper. The deck has a hall of mirrors which makes the fighting act psychologically thrilling.
Performances: Anchored by Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson provides a powerful physical and extremely appealing performance as Will Sawyer. This is Johnson’s typical type of character; someone who is larger than life. The difference this time is he adds Will’s adversities into the mix making him a well-rounded hero. He manages to illustrate the struggles of a man who tries everything to save his family whiles grappling with shedding a limb.
In the character of Sarah Sawyer, Neve Campbell performs brilliantly by going beyond the ordinary role of a woman in distress. Sarah happens to be a smart and capable partner who plays a crucial role in protecting her family. Her character displays tremendous courage.
Chin Han as Zhao Long Ji gives depth to the role of a complex billionaire, while Roland Moller’s frightening performance as Kores Botha makes him perfectly sinister.
Cinematic Style And Direction
With a specialization in comedies like Central Intelligence and Dodgeball, Rawson Marshall Thurber directs the action thriller Skyscraper. His style effectively incorporates character and action, ensuring that the audience remains engrossed in the story. His films are known for putting the characters above the story.
Robert Elswit’s cinematography beautifully captures the action from the grand Pearl to the skyscraper’s highest balcony. The combination of arial long shots which emphasize the scale of the skyscrappers with extreme shots of the characters facing danger emphasize the action.
The highly anticipated film score by Steve Jablonsky provides an intense thrill during the action scenes while adding emotional spikes to the quieter moments of the movie.
Reception: Divided Yet Amusing
As earlier stated, upon release skyscraper got mixed reviews from the audience. Some people appreciated the visuals and Johnson’s performance, while a number of viewers criticized the film for having unoriginal action scenes and convinient plot devices. Audiences hailed the film as a great summer blockbuster, as its visuals and emotional undertones were praised.
With its familiar and predictable approach, Skyscraper still succeeds in delivering what it aims for which is to keep the viewers engaged throughout the entire movie.
Criticisms and Limitations
Though Skyscraper is entertaining, it is not devoid of its limitations:
Predictable Plot: The plot does not take any unexpected turns as it follows a known action-thriller script.
Over-the-Top Sequences: Different action scenes while exciting, go beyond the realm of reality, making it difficult for the audience to appreciate.
Underdeveloped Villains: The villains are not developed properly. Why? Because they act as hurdles instead of characters.
Conclusion: A Towering Success
Even though drone Johnson doesn’t breathe new life into the action genre, it is Sandberg’s direction that promises one thing: heart-stopping action, high-stakes drama, and a hero worth rooting for. Skyscraper succeeds in meshing stunning visuals with an engaging story in a manner that keeps the viewer invested in more than just the action.
Focusing on the theme of family, resilience, and heroism amid destruction, Skyscraper is not just a disaster movie. It is about love and perseverance when hope seems lost. For lovers of action, Skyscraper is a toweringly beautiful movie that deserves to be watched.
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