Rampage (dir. Brad Peyton)

With perhaps the first use of the title "Primatoligist" seen in cinematic history ( Tom Hanks symbologist in the Dan Brown’s theological tripe anyone?), Dwayne Johnson’s new action-movie vehicle is completely ridiculous from start to finish - yet only a complete liar wouldn’t attest to it’s sub-b movie charm.

Working with Brad Peyton for the third time (San Andreas, J2 : Mysterious Island), Dwayne Johnson follows suit with similar summer blockbuster fair such as "Jumanji", "San Andreas" and some of the "Fast and Furious" sequels, with carrying the nonsensical mayhem on screen with his uncanny charisma and well-judged comic-timing.

Taking it’s premise from the 1986 arcade name of the same name, which become more popular during it’s acquisition from Warner Brothers back in 2009, the high-concept premise of Rampage is ultimately pointless but evidently leads to three genetically-edited animals terrorizing the Chicago landscape - and that's actually what makes it so effortlessly watchable. One immediately worries that the CGI madness here - which you might have seen in the trailer- is reminiscent in scope to Transformers than Pacific Rim, but thankfully Rampage doesn’t take itself too seriously and isn’t in love with it’s computer-generated visuals, instead with an emphasis on our central heroes bond with his best friend, an albino gorilla named George.

Our storyline sees yet another group of scientists (didn’t they learn from Jurassic Park to wonder if they should before debating whether they could?), trying to cure cancer though unwittingly creating a serum which turns anmals into giant monsters. Their experiments are seemingly outlawed on earth, so they plan to test on creatures in space - but things soon turn awry and canisters of the pathogen are sent hurtling towards earth- finding a wolf, a crocodile and eventually our aforementioned albino gorilla, George - who is under the supervision and social graces of primatologist David Okeye (Johnson). The assorted wildlife ingest the serum and beginning experience increased strength, agility and a love of urban destruction.

That’s pretty much the basis of the plot, or what exists as a narrative. Our de-facto villains come in the shape of shady-business owners and squabbling siblings, Malin Åkerman and Jake Lacy, who hope to weaponize the serum for a hefty profit, and hire triggy-happy mercenaries - led by gun-happy Joe Maganiello - to try and stop their science experiments from causing municipal destruction. Running against them is our former WWE star Johnson, along with their formers disgruntled geneticist Naomi Harris - who comes along for the ride in a last ditch attempt to seek revenge from her former dastardly employers. All of it is merely window-dressing, as Peyton and co are really only interested in getting our genetically modified animals to square-off in a slanging match for alpha-dog status in the Illinois capital.

Johnson, whose central character Okeye is as charming and affable as The Rock himself, is the real hero of the film - as seen in early scenes with his good friend George. He and his albino friend communicate through sign and have an understanding that he will do no harm. “Animals get me” says Davis, when he’s questioned about his bachelor status, and it’s suggested that he has become disillusioned with mankind's selfishness as a result of his past in the military. Along the way, he locks horns with all manor of corporate hot-heads; first with cowboy federal agent Harvey Russell (Jeffery Dean Morgan) -who gobbles up the scenery in the same vein as our king kong/Godzilla beasts)- and soon US Army Colonel Blake (Demetrius Goose), whose only interest is in bombing them to kingdom come - but Johnson knows his friend, and when he takes matters into his own hands, "Rampage" really kicks into gear.

When the pandemonium comes, it’s far from snore-inducing, and good for it. Credit to screenwriters Ryan Engle, Carlton Cuse, Ryan J. Condal, Adam Sztykiel,for injecting some laughable dialogue along the way, and not pondering too much on the morality of our characters choices. Though other Warner Brothers fair such as King Kong and Godzilla have a clearer underlying message about society and societal consciousness, "Rampage" is held sky-high because of Johnson's screen-magnetism and the sheer craziness of the metropolitan annihilation.

Rating 4/5