New to On Demand: Rampage

It’s time for the incredibly intelligent gorilla, George, to have his own movie, called Rampage. Based on the classic video game of the same name, this offering is bound to leave a path of destruction halfway across the United States.

George is living a charmed life in a San Diego preserve under the watchful eye of primatologist Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson). But when a mysterious canister lands within his habitat, George is transformed into a bigger, more aggressive beast, and Davis must quickly figure out what is going on.

The arrival of a mystery woman brings some answers. Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris) thinks she knows what George is going through, and as the aggression increases and the gorilla grows, she tries to help. But a shadowy government agency led by Harvey Russell (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) has other plans.

As George is captured, and Davis and Kate are taken away, they quickly find out George isn’t the only animal that has been infected by a rogue canister. Turns out a wolf and a crocodile also came in contact with the gene-modifying pathogen. And now the three giant creatures are converging on Chicago, and with their aggression, Chicago doesn’t stand a chance.

In Chicago the headquarters of Energyne, the company that created the genetic modification, is emitting a signal to bring their experiments home. Co-owners Claire (Malin Akerman) and Brett (Jake Lacy) hatch a plan to save their product, but what will become of the Windy City?

Rampage is filled with action. From the word go, Johnson, Harris and Morgan are involved in a story that will not let them slow down. And that is the saving grace of the film. Throughout the film, things explode, and objects get destroyed. The action that exists in the film is fun and somewhat cartoonish.

Did I enjoy the film in all its ridiculousness? For the most part, I did. For that reason, Rampage works and is effective at presenting a check-your-mind-at-the-door action film that may provide a bit of harmless fun.

Rampage is available On Demand beginning July 17. Check your cable system for availability