Obviously Unstoppable is Speed on a train, but it’s about 15 years too late for that comparison. Maybe now it’s more like The Fast and the Furious on a train. It certainly is the fastest, most furious movie of the year.

For a while the film feels very serious, emphasizing the deadliness of the runaway train. That’s a valid point of view for a disaster movie, but you still kind of want to see the fun train crash adventure Unstoppable actually get to have it both ways. You feel really anxious about public safety and deadly consequences. Then it switches into pure hero mode with Frank and Will sticking it to the evil corporate suits who just want to protect their stock value.

There’s union talk that speaks to the current economic crisis. Does young hotshot Will Colson (Chris Pine) have what it takes to ride with veteran conductor Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington)? Even as a train conductor, Washington can’t not be in charge.  Meanwhile, yard master Connie (Rosario Dawson) tracks the slowly escalating “coaster” situation.

The film really builds to a fu fast and furious thrill ride.  Every attempt to stop the train is exciting and you appreciate how the script tries every possible permutation of suspense. Mark Bomback knows how to build the action of the premise. There are plenty of railroad crossing incidents.  It looks like these are real crashes, old school practical stunts with glorious destruction.

Every suspense scene builds expertly. Even the first one where the train loses control, when we know that’s what the movie is about, still makes you antsy, hoping lazy conductor Dewey (Ethan Suplee) can catch it. Judging by the trailer and the cast list, I don’t think a supporting character is going to prevent the disaster 20 minutes in, but darned if I wasn’t thinking, “Come on, come on…”

The style is pretty restrained for Tony Scott. The film actually looks clear so you can see what’s happening. There’s only a little shaky cam, but all the sweeping, flying cameras over the train make up for it. Cutting in news camera footage makes sense and is actually effective.

Unstoppable is my kind of movie. Just give me a clear premise and show me everything that could possibly happen in that situation. I prefer the more fun, outrageous attitude but I think they’re going to get both audiences on this: the serious drama crowd and the crazy action crowd.

She looks strangely Kardashian.

Rosario Dawson has made it clear that she’d like to appear as a sexy Klingon in the Star Trek sequel. I added the “sexy” part. The actress has been harassing her poor Unstoppable co-star Chris Pine, in the hopes of landing a cameo. She says that she’s secretly a huge Trekkie. Quick! Somebody sound the NERD ALERT! I’d do it myself, but I’m busy watching these “Supernatural” deleted scenes.

“I’m a big Trekkie. I’ve been very good at hiding it. I was trying to keep it cool and now the cat is out of the bag. I love J. J. Abrams, I’ve got a whole petition going online on twitter that I could be in the next film, just a Klingon, something, anything at one point! Just go on and say ‘Kapla’ or something. Then I’d be happy, I’d be very, very satisfied.”

Of course that assumes that Klingons will appear in the sequel. As of right now, no plot specifics have been released, so she may be campaigning in vain. Although, she did say she’d appear as “anything at this point.” Maybe she’d be up for playing a pair of Tribbles. (Collider)

The Great Train Robbery (1903)

The Great Train Robbery is considered one of the greatest films of the silent era. Produced by Thomas Edison, the film is widely credited with combining a number of innovative techniques in order to advance its narrative.

Audiences at the time had never seen anything like it, and many moviegoers ran away in panic when a train came barreling toward the screen. But regardless of the film’s historical significance, riding this train would be a pain in the ass, unless you consider being robbed and left for dead on the side of the tracks to be an adventure.

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

To be honest, Bridge on the River Kwai is not exactly a train film. In fact, the there is only one scene involving a train. However, it is one of the most memorable scenes in cinema history.

After months of slaving away to complete a railway bridge for the Imperial Japaneses Army, a group of British POWs is taking pride in a job well done. In honor of the occasion, the Japanese are planning to christen the new bridge with an inaugural ride over by visiting dignitaries. However, a crack team of British commandos finds out about the event. Without giving away exactly what transpires, you can probably imagine that this is one train you wouldn’t want to take.

Von Ryan’s Express (1965)

Of all the ways to escape from a P.O.W. camp, hijacking a train has to be on the bottom of the list. After all, it’s not like your pursuers can’t figure out where you are headed. Once you start your journey, there aren’t a lot of options. And if something happens to the tracks ahead of you, you’re in for a very short trip. These are just a few of the obstacles faced by the men in Von Ryan’s Express, starting Frank Sinatra. And it’s not like “Old Blue Eyes” is going to belt out a tune in the dining car, which means there’s really no upside to riding this train.

The French Connection (1971)

At least when a normal train derails, it’s already on the ground. Sure, the thing might flip over a few dozen times, smashing you against the sides, but still, it’s better than a plane crash. However, if you’re on an elevated train, like the one in The French Connection, you face the worst of both worlds. If the train derails, you also have to worry about the impact from falling off the structure. Sure, riding this train might give you the chance to see Gene Hackman, but you’re only going to see him from the window since he’s following with his car. All in all, it’s not worth the ride.

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

The downside to riding this train should be pretty clear. On the one hand, you might get murdered. On the other, you might be suspected of murder. Unless you have a death wish or like getting the third degree, tell Agatha Christie to piss off.

Silver Streak (1976)

The whole point of riding a train is to get to your destination. That’s what makes the train from Silver Streak so frustrating. Due to a series of unfortunate (and stupid) events, the train does not stop when it reaches the station, but rather plows directly into it. It’s not exactly the safest way to travel, however, you might catch a glimpse of Gene Wilder in blackface, which may be worth the risk.

Mission Impossible (1996)

Riding in the Chunnel, the train tunnel that goes under the English Channel, is somewhat frightening, despite the fact that it’s extremely safe and well maintained. But thinking about it rationally should get you over any psychological hangups you might have about traveling under the ocean in a train. However, riding on the outside of the train while a helicopter chases you is a whole different story. It’s also an idiotic story, but I digress.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

Where do I begin with the Hogwarts Express. First off, it doesn’t even have a proper station platform. 9¾ my ass! Second, the train runs on magic, which leaves a hell of a carbon footprint, even compared to coal. Throw in the ever-present danger posed by flying-car collisions, and all you have is an inconvenient, dirty death trap, whimsical though it may be.

Runnin A Train On Big Mama (2008)

I’m sure there’s a train in the tunnel joke to be made, but I’m not going to make it. Suffices to say, this type of train is definitely a pain in the ass.

A word from Meagan: “Having confidence in your own abilities is going to get you to go far.”

"Saturday Night Live’s" new cast member Jay Pharoah does an impeccable Denzel Washington. He did a sketch about Washington working retail as research for a part, and Pharoah totally captured Washington’s sound, his cadence, his laugh. Washington heard about that a lot as he spoke to reporters about his new movie, Unstoppable.

The thing is, when I asked him if he heard the impression, he kind of started doing the impression back to me. He’s in a press conference with costars Rosario Dawson and Tony Scott. From the opening laughter to the way he turns the question around on me and tries to prod me, that’s exactly how Pharoah played it.

After the jump, take a listen to an audio clip of Washington sounding very much like the "SNL" version of Denzel Washington.

Denzel Washington Does His Denzel Washington Impression – Watch more Funny Videos

Here’s the "SNL" sketch.

In this exclusive clip from Tony Scott‘s Unstoppable, Denzel Washington tries to enlist Chris Pine‘s help in an attempt stop a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals. Obviously some heavy convincing is necessary. Most people don’t want to go to head with the equivilant of a nuclear missile.

Check out the clip after the jump. Unstoppable crashes into theaters November 14th.

Unstoppable Clip – Are You In Or Are You Out? – Watch more Funny Videos

Denzel Washington and Tony Scott have a bigger fascination with trains than imaginative eight-year-old boys or fifty-year-old listless husbands. This time Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson board the duo’s ride in the new trailer for Unstoppable. The film tells the story of an experienced engineer (Washington) who finds himself teaming up with a young conductor (Pine) in a race against time, with a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals. Ageism and flash-frame-dissolve-cross-fade-smash-cuts are big themes. Oh Tony Scott, you shake that camera like you’ve got a bad case of palsy, and we love you for it.

Unstoppable crashes into theaters November 14, 2010.

Check out the trailer below.

Unstoppable Trailer – Watch more Movie Trailers