#109 The Rundown

I don't mind admitting that I like The Rock. He's a charismatic guy and, thanks to his latest film, a great action star. The Rundown, directed by Peter Berg, is an ultra-violent (yet bloodless) romp rife with homages to Romancing the Stone and, yes, Raiders of the Lost Ark. It's the most fun I've had since with a balls-out action flick since Schwarzenegger's heyday. The fight scene that opens the film sets the tone. The Rock, reluctantly acting as a collection agent/enforcer, is forced to take on the several players from his favorite football team. The ensuing brawl is well choreographed, but still rough. No light-weight wire work, just angry men throwing bone-shattering blows. Later, when the fight coordinator finally breaks out the wire-fu, it's for a good reason - to give a miffed gang of capoeira-trained rebels the skills to kick The Rock's ass.