"The Rundown" -
A Review by 'Kristina'
MAJOR DETAILED SPOILERS
TheZreview

******CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS********


Just received the following email that is from a test screening of The Rock's next movie that looks to have changed it's title again from Helldorado to Rundown "I saw a pre-screen of this movie last night.


It was titled "Rundown" instead of Helldorado - although I think Helldorado is a better name. The film is incredibly action packed.


Although the storyline isn't too impresive (or at least the depths in which the story goes into), it is still a great flick.


I just wish the went more in detail about different things which were revealed in the movie, giving more of an in-depth look at the story. But man, it is non-stop action, with INCREDIBLE fighting scene's = great!


And it's hilarious also, just when you think there is going to be some corny line or happening in a scene, they throw you right off with making it a joke.


Well, they said at the screening that we would see some wires and scratches "blipps" in the film. There was so much action I did not notice, although my friend said she did notice some wires. So, I do not know how long until the release, or what the will re-do in the film.


The film this time was titles "Rundown". I noticed it has gone from "Helldorado" to "welcome to the Jungle" (which would be a HORRIBLE title I think) to "Rundown".


There is a cameo in the beginning of the film by Arnold Schwarzenegger. And although I am not a big buff of WWE wrestling I am almost positive in the beginning there are appearances of WWE superstars Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle - although I could be wrong. The faces were flashed for a quick second in a club scene in the beginning, but I am pretty sure it was them.


So the film so far goes as The Rock plays somewhat of a bounty hunter named Beck. The reason I say somewhat is due to the fact that Beck actually seems like (and leads you to believe) that he is indebted to a head "mafioso" type guy in the US. Because in the beginning Beck is at a club, where he tries to collect on a 50,000 dollar bet from a college football star player. The player is at the club with the entire offensive line from his team (I think that Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle are one of these team members who are present). Beck is a huge fan of these players, and knows everything about them from watching sports and repeatedly states "he doesn't want to hurt them". But the star football player he is trying to collect from isn't trying to be bothered in the club and felt offended that Beck would even approach him in a club to collect on the bet. Beck tries to convince him to give up his championship football ring as collateral - but the player just throws his drink in Becks face. Beck goes to the restroom where he calls the mafioso guy who in turn seems to tell him to get the money. Beck tries to convince him he doesn't want to hurt the team (he is big fan), but it seems the other end tells him to go and do it. So Beck comes out and just whales on them - SERIOUSLY. The guys are all huge, but this guy Beck whoops them. It is no match.The fight scenes are what make this movie.


Beck then goes to the mafioso guys house, the guy mocks Beck and tells him how he is still in debt to him. And he needs to go to a town in South America to get his son (the guy (blond) from Dude where's my Car?, who has made several bets in the US and failed to pay up on. So the mafioso guy is having to take the slack for it, and he isn't happy. He tells Beck that once he returns with his son, Beck will be out of debt to him and he will get the money he wants to open his own restaurant (which is Becks goal - to open a small 10 to 15 seated fine dining restaurant). So Beck goes to South America - you meet the cookie Irish pilot, who is shown throughout the movie. The scenes are pretty funny. Then you see this HUGE hole in the ground with thousands of people (all South American workers) climbing from the bottom of the pit up. some are sifting for gold, while others dig, and others climb. The Irish pilot informs him it is hell down there.


You then meet the owner and started of the pit - played by Christopher Walken. He is the villain of the film. He totally play one of his classic rolls - and it's somewhat comical - cause I am sure it was meant to be done this way. Basically you see he a money hungry guy who thinks he is God of these people. Beck knows nothing about this and explains to the villain that he is hear to take back this kid. Chris Walken says it would cost him 10,000 dollars to have his permission to do so, which Beck immediately pays, and then goes onto his journey to find him. The kid is found right away in a bar - which is owned by a beautiful woman (girl from Men in Black 2). When Beck is talking to her explain she is looking for this kid, they both see him (prior to Beck entrance you see the kid and the girl talking together about El Gato - you learn they are "friends"). So he tries to take the kid - who somewhat resists, but the Rock totally kicks his butt. But when they try and leave the bar - Chris Walken and gang show up and tell him that he can't allow him to do this because the kid is the only one who knows where the infamous and priceless "el gato" is. Somehow Beck and the kid escape after Beck woops all the butt's of the villains and they are driving in the jungle. The kid kicks Beck while he is driving along a cliff back to the airfield where the Irish pilot is waiting. But the jeep he is driving tips over after he gets kicked and they take a wicked long fall - and are lost in the jungle.


They show the kid and Beck going along their journey in the forest (where the meet back up with the girl from the bar (men in black 2 girl) . You learn that what they perceive about each other is not really the case. They all of their own purposes though - and you somewhat get into it - although not enough (this is where the film lacks). There are many awesome fighting scenes (especially when Beck and the kid encounter the jungle "rebels". They are the people trying to stop Walken from recovering el gato - they want to recover it for themselves - to free their people from the slave ship that Walken has them under).


The beauty about this movie is there is no love story to kill the action. I mean - none! You think there would be, but there isn't. It is great action - and like I said, some of the "tifs" the kid (from Dude Where's my Car) and Beck get into are hilarious. The whole audience was rolling at points.


The movie was maybe 4 stars out of 5 - because some things lacked - but I love action and this had PLENTY of it. The acting was really well done ( I was surprised after I saw "WWE Entertainment" flashed in the beginning. The story was at least catchy, and the fighting was GREAT!" Thanks to Kristina!