“Rampage” (2018) is a heart-pounding American science fiction monster film helmed by Brad Peyton, drawing loose inspiration from Midway Games’ beloved video game series.
Anchored by Davis Okoye (portrayed by Dwayne Johnson), a primatologist with a unique bond with George, an albino western lowland gorilla, the narrative unfurls with a rogue genetic experiment gone awry, transmuting George into a colossal, uncontrollable entity. Yet, George is not alone in this transformation. A wolf and a crocodile also undergo similar mutations, burgeoning into massive proportions and sowing chaos in their wake.
As the monstrous trio rampages across the United States, laying waste to cities and obliterating all in their path, Davis embarks on a harrowing mission to safeguard George while striving to halt the annihilation of Chicago. The metropolis transforms into a battleground, replete with adrenaline-charged action sequences showcasing military aircraft, armored vehicles, and ground forces clashing with the marauding beasts. Skyscrapers crumble, explosions rend the air, and Chicago’s thoroughfares metamorphose into a theater of war as the mutated creatures unleash unbridled havoc in their relentless frenzy.
A pinnacle of gripping action unfolds as Davis, in tandem with Agent Russell (embodied by Jeffrey Dean Morgan), spearheads an aerial onslaught against the wolf—dubbed Ralph—as it hurtles through the skies, decimating helicopters. Simultaneously, Lizzie, the mutated crocodile, emerges from the depths of the Chicago River, laying waste to bridges and military installations. The climax crescendos atop the Willis Tower, where Davis and George confront the other monstrous adversaries in a desperate bid to salvage the city.
The film’s cutting-edge visual effects breathe life into the pandemonium, with meticulously crafted CGI capturing the monumental devastation. Dwayne Johnson’s daring feats, coupled with George’s agility and raw power, deliver heart-pounding thrills that will keep audiences teetering on the edge of their seats.