The Rundown

2003  PG-13  ACTION  1h 44min

CAST— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Seann William Scott, Christopher Walken, Rosario Dawson, Ewen Bremner

MUSIC— Harry Gregson-Williams  DIRECTOR— Peter Berg

     Here’s a movie that shouldn’t work yet despite its ingredients the film proves its worth. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays an upscale mob enforcer whose goal is to get out of the life and make it in the restaurant business. To do so he must, of course, complete one final job: bring the boss’ son (an ingratiating Seann William Scott) back from the Amazon rain forest for a little father/son time. But this won’t be that easy; Johnson must trek to El Dorado, a shanty town lorded over by a scheming Christopher Walken whose harsh gold mining empire is worked by the local tribes, basically slaves being crushed under Walken’s iron fist. Of course William Scott won’t make this a picnic for Johnson either. He’s on the lookout for an ancient Amazonian artifact worth millions, coveted by Walken, native rebels and a beautiful barkeep (Rosario Dawson) who has her own agenda. The story is all over the place combining action and humor to great effect and the slam bang action is at once thrilling and absolutely illogical (pretty standard by now). Surprisingly entertaining, featuring likable leads, slimy baddies and an old school jungle picture vibe. Final note: keep your eyes peeled for an amusing cameo in the first few minutes. He said he’d be back. AKA Welcome to the Jungle.

OUR RATING— ***