Global icon Dwayne Johnson headlines the action adventure “Rampage,” directed by Brad Peyton. Johnson stars as primatologist Davis Okoye, a man who keeps people at a distance but shares an unshakable bond with George, the extraordinarily intelligent, incredibly rare albino silverback gorilla who has been in his care since he rescued the young orphan from poachers. But a rogue genetic experiment gone awry mutates this gentle ape into a raging creature of enormous size. To make matters worse, it’s soon discovered there are other similarly altered animals. As these newly created alpha predators tear across North America, destroying everything in their path, Okoye teams with discredited geneticist Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris) to secure an antidote, fighting his way through an ever-changing battlefield, not only to halt a global catastrophe but to save the fearsome creature that was once his friend.
Release date: 13 April 2018
Director: Brad Peyton
Budget: 120 million USD
Production companies: New Line Cinema, Wrigley Pictures, Flynn Picture Company
Producers: Brad Peyton, Hiram Garcia, Beau Flynn, John Rickard
Parents need to know that Rampage, which is loosely based on a classic 1980s video game, is a pretty gory action/adventure movie with some genuine gross-out moments. It will likely appeal to many tweens and teens thanks to star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who plays a renowned primatologist with an unusually close bond to a gorilla named George. A rogue genetic experiment (bolstered by an evil corporate lab) causes George and two other animals to grow to multiple times their size and strength; they then start rampaging through cities, causing massive destruction and casualties. Expect tons of violence, including a few cringeworthy, bloody scenes (people are shown eyeless and flattened into red goo) and life-and-death action. Johnson's character is injured multiple times (he's even shot), but as always, nothing keeps him from saving the day. There's also some flirting and fairly frequent strong language (mostly "s--t" and "a--hole") and a couple of crude jokes -- including a hand gesture by the gorilla. But in the end, the movie has messages about teamwork and courage, too.