Overview
“Skyscraper” (2018) is an action-packed thriller directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Will Sawyer, a former FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader turned security consultant. The film follows Sawyer as he assesses the security of the tallest building in the world, “The Pearl,” located in Hong Kong.
However, his visit takes a dangerous turn when terrorists set the building on fire, framing Sawyer for the act. With his family trapped inside the towering inferno, Sawyer must navigate through a series of perilous obstacles to rescue them and clear his name.
The movie features intense action sequences, breathtaking stunts, and a gripping narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Johnson’s charismatic performance drives the film, showcasing his character’s determination and resourcefulness in the face of overwhelming odds.
“Skyscraper” combines elements of a classic action film with a modern setting, delivering a thrilling experience for audiences. While it received mixed reviews from critics, it was praised for its adrenaline-fueled excitement and Johnson’s compelling portrayal. Overall, “Skyscraper” offers a high-octane ride filled with suspense, spectacle, and heart-pounding moments.
| Title | Skyscraper (2018) |
|---|---|
| Director | Rawson Marshall Thurber |
| Main Cast | Dwayne Johnson, Neve Campbell |
| Genre | Action, Thriller |
| Plot | Former FBI agent must rescue his family from a burning skyscraper while being framed for arson. |
| Setting | Hong Kong |
| Themes | Family, Survival, Redemption |
| Reception | Mixed reviews from critics, praised for action and Johnson’s performance. |
| Highlights | Intense action sequences, Dwayne Johnson’s charismatic performance. |
| Box Office | Grossed over $304 million worldwide. |
Plot of the Movie
Will Sawyer, a former Marine turned FBI agent, suffers a life-changing injury during a hostage situation. Years later, he works as a security consultant and is hired to assess the safety of “The Pearl,” the tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong. Accompanied by his family, Sawyer tests the building’s security systems and is given control over them by the owner, Zhao Long Ji. However, during a visit to an offsite security center, Sawyer’s colleague, Gillespie, betrays him, leading to a deadly confrontation resulting in Gillespie’s death.
Meanwhile, international terrorist Kores Botha and his group infiltrate The Pearl and sabotage its safety systems, causing a massive fire on the 96th floor. Sawyer tries to return to The Pearl to save his family but encounters resistance from Botha’s associate, Xia. Xia and her team take control of the security tablet and eliminate everyone at the offsite facility.
As a result, Sawyer finds himself in a desperate race against time to rescue his family and thwart Botha’s sinister plans.
Using the tablet, the terrorists disable The Pearl’s fire-extinguishing systems and spread the fire upwards. Despite efforts by Zhao and Okeke to rescue Sawyer’s family, they are believed to have perished in an explosion. Pierce, revealed to be working for the terrorists, orders an evacuation, leaving Zhao locked in his penthouse. Inspector Wu and his team pursue Sawyer, believing him responsible for the chaos. Sawyer manages to ascend the building and confront Pierce, saving his family from imminent danger.
Sawyer safely guides his family through a fiery elevator escape and informs Wu about the terrorists’ escape plan. He retrieves his daughter Georgia, but they are captured by Botha, who demands Zhao in exchange for her. Sawyer bargains with Zhao’s help, ultimately outsmarting Botha and saving Georgia. With Wu’s assistance, they apprehend the remaining terrorists and restore The Pearl’s systems, ending the blaze.
Sawyer’s family is reunited, and Zhao pledges to rebuild The Pearl despite extensive damage. Wu acknowledges Sawyer’s heroism, and the city begins its recovery.
Reasons to Watch It
“Skyscraper” offers a gripping mix of intense action sequences and Dwayne Johnson’s charismatic performance as he navigates a towering inferno to save his family and clear his name. With stunning visuals, suspenseful twists, and themes of sacrifice and redemption, it’s an adrenaline-fueled ride that keeps viewers hooked from beginning to end.
High-Octane Action – The film offers adrenaline-pumping action sequences, including intense fights, daring stunts, and breathtaking set pieces, making it a thrilling watch for action enthusiasts. Dwayne Johnson’s Performance – Known for his charisma and on-screen presence, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson delivers a captivating performance as Will Sawyer, a determined hero facing overwhelming odds. His portrayal adds depth and intensity to the film.
Suspenseful Plot: – The storyline keeps viewers engaged with its suspenseful twists and turns. From the initial setup to the gripping climax, the film maintains a tension-filled atmosphere that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Spectacular Setting – Set against the backdrop of the world’s tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong, the film offers stunning visuals and breathtaking vistas. The scale and grandeur of the setting add an extra layer of excitement to the viewing experience.
Family Dynamics – “Skyscraper” explores themes of family, sacrifice, and redemption, adding emotional depth to the action-packed narrative. The dynamic between Will Sawyer and his family adds a personal touch to the story, making it more relatable and compelling. Entertainment Value – Whether you’re looking for a thrilling action film for a movie night or simply seeking an entertaining escape, “Skyscraper” delivers an enjoyable cinematic experience that promises to keep you entertained from start to finish.
In conclusion, “Skyscraper” presents an electrifying blend of high-stakes action, compelling performances, and breathtaking visuals, making it a must-watch for fans of adrenaline-pumping thrillers. With Dwayne Johnson leading the charge, the film delivers an exhilarating experience that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats, making it a memorable addition to the action genre.
Reasons to Avoid It
Reasons to avoid “Skyscraper” include its predictable plot and lack of substantial character development, which may disappoint viewers seeking more originality and depth in their cinematic experience. Additionally, some may find the need for a significant suspension of disbelief and mixed critical reception as factors that detract from the overall enjoyment of the film.
Unoriginal Plot – The film follows a somewhat predictable storyline, with elements reminiscent of other action movies, potentially leaving viewers craving more originality and depth in the narrative. Lack of Character Development – Despite Dwayne Johnson’s strong performance, some viewers may find the character development lacking, with supporting characters feeling underdeveloped and their motivations somewhat shallow.
Suspension of Disbelief – “Skyscraper” requires a significant suspension of disbelief, as some of the action sequences and plot developments stretch the boundaries of realism, which might detract from the overall viewing experience for those seeking a more grounded story. Thin Emotional Depth – While the film attempts to inject emotional depth through the family dynamics, some viewers may find the emotional beats to be somewhat superficial, failing to resonate on a deeper level.
Mixed Critical Reception – Despite its commercial success, “Skyscraper” received mixed reviews from critics, with some citing its formulaic plot and reliance on spectacle over substance as reasons to approach with caution.
Overall, while “Skyscraper” offers entertainment value for fans of action-packed thrillers, those looking for more nuanced storytelling and character development might find reasons to give it a pass.
Critical Response
“Skyscraper” garnered mixed reviews from critics, with Rotten Tomatoes scoring it at a 48% approval rate and a Metacritic score of 51 out of 100. While some lauded aspects of the film such as its cast, it was commonly criticized for its derivative nature, lacking innovation in its construction despite offering a solidly entertaining experience. Audience reception, as indicated by a “B+” grade on CinemaScore, was somewhat more favorable.
Alonso Duralde from TheWrap characterized “Skyscraper” as a “satisfying summer thriller,” appreciating its familiarity while suggesting it as a worthwhile diversion for the season. However, Peter Debruge of Variety took a more critical stance, highlighting the film’s unoriginal storyline but commending Dwayne Johnson’s performance, underlining its escapist appeal and overall entertainment value.
Chris Nashawaty’s review in Entertainment Weekly painted a less favorable picture, awarding the film a “C−” rating and condemning it as a pale imitation of “Die Hard.” Nashawaty specifically criticized the lack of a memorable villain akin to Hans Gruber and emphasized how the comparison to the iconic action film accentuated “Skyscraper’s” derivative shortcomings.
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Critical Reception | Mixed reviews with a 48% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metascore of 51 out of 100 on Metacritic. |
| Audience Reception | Received a “B+” grade on CinemaScore, indicating a generally favorable response from audiences. |
| TheWrap Review | Described as a “satisfying summer thriller” by Alonso Duralde, who acknowledged its familiar plot but recommended it as an entertaining diversion. |
| Variety Review | Peter Debruge was critical of the storyline but praised Dwayne Johnson’s performance, emphasizing the film’s escapism and solid entertainment value. |
| Entertainment Weekly | Chris Nashawaty gave it a “C−” rating, labeling it as a weak imitation of “Die Hard” and criticizing its lack of a memorable villain and derivative approach. |
Key Themes
“Skyscraper” explores themes of family loyalty and sacrifice as protagonist Will Sawyer confronts towering challenges to protect his loved ones, embodying resilience and heroism in the face of adversity. Through its action-packed narrative, the film underscores the importance of redemption and survival, weaving together themes of courage and determination amidst towering danger.
Family – The importance of family is a central theme as protagonist Will Sawyer is driven by his love for his wife and children, risking everything to ensure their safety. Sacrifice – The film delves into the notion of sacrifice, as Sawyer confronts perilous situations and makes difficult choices to protect his loved ones and uphold his principles.
Redemption – Sawyer grapples with his past and strives for redemption, overcoming personal challenges and facing his fears to emerge as a hero. Survival – The theme of survival is prevalent as Sawyer navigates through a towering inferno, battling both external threats and internal doubts to survive and save those he cares about.
Resilience – The resilience of the human spirit is highlighted as Sawyer demonstrates remarkable resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, refusing to give up even in the direst of circumstances. Heroism – The film explores the concept of heroism, portraying Sawyer as an ordinary man pushed to extraordinary lengths by his courage, determination, and sense of duty to others.
These themes are interwoven throughout the storyline, providing depth and emotional impact to the action-packed plot of “Skyscraper.”
Memorable Moments
“Skyscraper” boasts memorable moments such as the breathtaking scenes of the towering building ablaze and the heart-pounding crane jump showcasing Will Sawyer’s bravery. The suspenseful elevator escape and the climactic showdown add to the film’s excitement, leaving a lasting impact on audiences.
The Pearl on Fire – The intense scenes of the skyscraper engulfed in flames, creating a visually stunning and adrenaline-pumping spectacle. The Crane Jump – Will Sawyer’s daring leap from a nearby crane onto the burning building, showcasing his bravery and determination to save his family.
Elevator Escape – The suspenseful sequence where Sawyer guides his family through a fiery elevator escape, showcasing quick thinking and resourcefulness under pressure. Final Confrontation – The climactic showdown between Sawyer and the villains at the top of the skyscraper, culminating in a thrilling and satisfying resolution. Rescue Scenes – Moments where Sawyer risks his life to rescue trapped individuals within the building, highlighting his selflessness and heroism.
“Skyscraper” captivates audiences with its unforgettable moments, from the towering inferno engulfing the skyscraper to Will Sawyer’s daring feats of bravery, like the crane jump and the suspenseful elevator escape. These scenes, along with the climactic showdown and Sawyer’s selfless rescue efforts, ensure a thrilling cinematic experience that resonates long after the credits roll.
Streaming Platforms
“Skyscraper” may be available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, YouTube Movies/Google Play Movies, iTunes/Apple TV, and Vudu, but availability varies depending on your region and changes in licensing agreements.
Subscribers to Amazon Prime may have access to “Skyscraper” as part of their subscription or for rental/purchase. Depending on your region, “Skyscraper” may be available for streaming on Netflix. However, availability can vary between countries.
Hulu subscribers may also have access to “Skyscraper” as part of their subscription or for rental/purchase. In certain regions, “Skyscraper” might be available for streaming on HBO Max.
Disney+ may offer “Skyscraper” for streaming, as the film is distributed by Universal Pictures, which has a content-sharing agreement with Disney for certain titles. YouTube /Google Play – “Skyscraper” may be available for rental or purchase on these platforms.
Similar to YouTube Movies and Google Play Movies, you might find “Skyscraper” available for rental or purchase on iTunes or Apple TV. Another platform is Vudu where you can rent or buy digital copies of movies, including “Skyscraper.”
In conclusion, “Skyscraper” has the potential to be streamed on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, YouTube Movies/Google Play Movies, iTunes/Apple TV, and Vudu, yet availability is subject to regional differences and fluctuating licensing agreements. Viewers are advised to check each platform individually for the most current information on accessing the film.
