Movies

Denzel Washington’s Final Tony Scott Movie Unstoppable Is Action Movie Masterpiece

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As a dedicated cinephile, I have to say that the film “Unstoppable” marked a significant conclusion in the collaborative journey between actor Denzel Washington and director Tony Scott. In 2010, this project served as a redemptive follow-up to their earlier remake together, which unfortunately didn’t meet our expectations. Much like my collaborations with Spike Lee and Antoine Fuqua, I had the privilege of working with Scott on five films altogether. Among these, “Unstoppable” and “Man on Fire”, directed by Scott, stand out as some of the finest performances in my cinematic career.

Regrettably, Scott passed away in 2012, and the last project he collaborated on with Washington was also his final one. The action-packed thriller, “Unstoppable,” which featured Washington and Chris Pine as train conductors trying to halt a runaway train headed towards a nearby town, served as a fitting end to their creative bond. Despite the melancholy associated with the film now, it’s fortunate that their professional relationship concluded on an upbeat note. Their earlier collaboration could have had a very different outcome, as their previous joint project turned out to be one of their least successful.

The Taking Of Pelham 123 Was Followed By The Much More Entertaining Unstoppable

Scott And Washington’s Second Train Movie In A Row Was A Winner

The film titled “The Taking of Pelham 123” was intended to be the next highly anticipated joint project between Denzel Washington and Tony Scott. Following Washington’s recent pattern of remakes, such as “Man on Fire” and “The Manchurian Candidate,” it reimagined the classic cult crime movie from 1974 with the same name. In this film, John Travolta portrayed a merciless criminal masterminding a group of armed men who hijack a New York City subway car, holding the passengers hostage. Washington’s character is the dispatcher who finds himself unwillingly thrust into the role of negotiator in this tense, high-stakes scenario.

Every Denzel Washington And Tony Scott Movie

Movie Washington’s Role
Crimson Tide (1995)
Ronald “Ron” Hunter
Man On Fire (2004)
 John W. Creasy
Déjà Vu (2006)
 Doug Carlin
The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)
 Walter Garber
Unstoppable (2010) Frank Barnes

The issue with the remake of “The Taking of Pelham 123” lies in its failure to grasp what made the initial film exceptional. The original 1974 movie told a riveting crime story with tangible risks and peril, all while utilizing the unique charm of New York City to create an unexpectedly humorous experience. Regrettably, there’s very little humor present in the remake, with Travolta’s character as the lone eccentric figure. This contrasts sharply with Robert Shaw’s cool and ominous portrayal in the original movie. Furthermore, Denzel Washington’s morally ambiguous hero seeking redemption falls short of Walter Matthau’s iconic, grumpy performance from the original film.

In a somewhat unexpected move, the film “Pelham 123” garnered mixed reviews from critics and modest earnings at the box office. However, it seemed that the collaboration between Washington and Scott lacked inspiration. Yet, surprisingly, they joined forces again for another train-themed movie titled “Unstoppable” the following year. Unlike its predecessor, “Unstoppable” embraced its outlandish concept with a playful spirit, avoiding excessive seriousness. This approach allowed Washington to portray a delightful hero. Interestingly, “Unstoppable” more closely resembled the successful tone of the original “Pelham 123”, offering a captivating blend of humor and excitement.

Unstoppable Serves As A Great Final Movie In Tony Scott’s Career

Quentin Tarantino Called Unstoppable One Of Scott’s Best Movies

Despite the fact that it wasn’t realized at the moment, Unstoppable turned out to be an excellent swan song for Tony Scott, wrapping up his impressive directorial journey in a thrilling manner. Known for his audacity in exploring various genres while still preserving his unique flair, Unstoppable served as one last testament to Scott’s greatness as a modern action director, boasting some of the most exhilarating sequences of his career.

As a movie enthusiast, I found “Unstoppable” to be an exhilarating rollercoaster ride straight out of Tony Scott’s signature style. Unlike some films that drag on, this one gets off to a swift start and maintains its pace without ever overstaying its welcome. It’s a classic popcorn flick, designed to entertain the masses.

What sets “Unstoppable” apart is that it delivers all this excitement without relying heavily on computer-generated imagery (CGI). From breathtaking aerial shots of helicopters to heart-pounding scenes of a runaway train crashing through barriers and people daringly running atop the speeding locomotive, Scott’s decision to keep it real adds an extra layer of authenticity that makes every moment even more thrilling.

Quentin Tarantino, who teamed up with Scott on “True Romance”, lauded “Unstoppable” not just as a film, but also as a fitting swan song from Scott (as reported by The Playlist), in simpler and more natural language.

Upon viewing it, I was absolutely astounded by its brilliance. The movie itself, along with the notion that it’s one of the final masterpieces from one of cinema’s greatest directors, at the pinnacle of his creative prowess, was truly awe-inspiring. In fact, it ranks as one of my top 10 favorites of the past decade. After rewatching it for this [podcast], I believe it deserves a spot even higher on that list.

Scott’s illustrious filmography boasts numerous outstanding movies, such as Top Gun and Days of Thunder, and although some fans might hesitate to rank Unstoppable among his finest works, it’s rare for directors to cap off their careers with a movie as remarkable as the one he produced in his final stint.

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2025-06-01 22:39

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