Skyscraper

A seamless action flick that I was happy to forgive. In fact, Skyscraper had the same effect on me as some of the (now so-called classic) Schwarzenegger or Stallone movies – they weren't always masterpieces, but those two gentlemen were the reason I enjoyed watching them every time, and the reason I enjoyed those movies. Dwayne Johnson is cut from the same cloth this time around. He's charismatic, tough, you root for him even when you know everything is going to turn out well; you have fun. I especially appreciate that after crap like Jumanji, Rampage, and San Andreas, Johnson is in something that isn't completely goofy or parodic, but that takes itself seriously within the genre of expensive B-movies, and only occasionally lightens things up with humor. Plus, there's the cool idea of the protagonist having a prosthetic leg, which he makes use of a lot, and the crane scene, for example, is so over the top it's excellent (Jablonsky's music stands out during this one, as it does elsewhere as well; though simple and routine, it adds atmosphere). I wasn't expecting much and I am satisfied. (14/08/2020)

Honestly, I even considered a lower rating, as Skyscraper was simply disappointing. Casting Dwayne Johnson in the lead role can be considered one of the wisest decisions made, but the plot ultimately felt like it was created by a five-year-old. Please don’t compare it to Die Hard; I consider that an insult. The film started off quite promisingly, with a few impressive and flashy action scenes. However, as time went on, it started to seem like the budget was drastically cut. The digital fire didn’t look very realistic, the script became a piece of Swiss cheese with holes where nothing made sense, and the villain barely had any screen time (on the other hand, his character had zero charisma, so I’m almost glad). I was expecting an epic climax, but they turned it into a family comedy where all the good guys survived, and the bad guys got what they deserved. It didn’t grab me. I’d almost call Skyscraper a flop, as it's such a waste of money that it’s painful. I give it 42%. (20/10/2018)

Die Hard is history! And Bruce Willis can go bury himself. Dwayne "Super-Super-Super-Ultrahero" Johnson has finally found his magnum opus, and I applaud, moved and teary-eyed, in an empty theatre. A wonderfully entertaining first-rate answer to all the inferior and illogical action crap with the aforementioned Die Hard leading the way. Grandiose and endlessly creative popcorn flick for all who love The Rock and his standard of craftsmanship (so, of course, for everyone). The scene on the crane is the best adrenaline ride in history. Bottom line, an artisanal rip-off of action legends for an inoffensive three stars. Or you don’t get the irony? (12/07/2018)

While watching this I couldn't stop thinking about the comment from the documentary Electric Boogaloo that even though spent the 80s and 90s shooting virtually the same stories with similar outcomes, the difference was that they were on the fringes of film interest and were making films with minimal budgets only to sell them to distribution companies later, their contemporaries nowadays are blockbusters with the most expensive actors and nine-figure budgets. Infantile times call for infantile deeds. Although engagement in the form of being drowned in something helps, because the dizzying scenes and the occasional destruction here and there can be pleasing to the undemanding eye, it's more likely that irritation will ultimately prevail over the poorly edited action, sleazy pandering to the Chinese market, dull motivations and characters, and Dwayne Johnson's unbearably incompetent acting (don't tell me he didn't indiscreetly feel someone up maybe a decade ago, come on, find the evidence. I'll give you money). Plus, the presence of terrorists in the building brings to mind the first Die Hard every now and then, and as soon as you’ve got that on your mind, the whole Skyscraper comes tumbling down. (10/10/2018)

Very silly, but very entertaining. There’s something happening all the time. The Towering Inferno crossed not only with Die Hard but also with Mission Impossible, with the only difference that, where Tom Cruise had sticky gloves, the muscle-bound Rock uses Scotch Tape and a curtain drawstring. Skyscraper is simply a solid popcorn movie that doesn’t require you to think very much. I awarded it a fourth star for the visual aspect and the amazing aerial shots. (16/12/2018)