Few movie genres have enjoyed as long and illustrious a history in Hollywood as the monster movie genre. Names like King Kong and Godzilla are enshrined in film history, as one of the most surefire ways to fill seats in a theater has long been simply releasing a massive monster in an unsuspecting city and letting the destruction commence.
In Rampage, we get not one massive monster, but three. Rampage stars Dwayne Johnson, playing Davis Okoye - a primatologist with a special forces background that serves to explain why he is able to go toe-to-toe with these beasts in typical action-hero fashion.
Rampage does spend plenty of time explaining exactly how a giant, enraged wolf, gorilla, and crocodile came to descend on downtown Chicago, but in the end the plot of this movie never really mattered all that much. The point of Rampage begins and ends with the thrills and eye-candy of seeing three massive monsters wreak havoc on a city - and most people who go to see Rampage will know that's what they're getting before the opening credits ever roll.
Being disappointed with the plot holes and faults in the storyline in Rampage is much like buying a Honda Accord and being disappointed when it doesn't run like a Lamborghini. No one who read the description of Rampage or saw its trailer could really expect this film to have a thought-provoking storyline as one of its key selling points.
Nevertheless, Rampage does have a few shining moments that are not centered around its impressive visuals. Johnson does a respectable job playing Davis Okoye, and his character's relationship with the Gorilla named George brings a touch of emotion to the film. Add to that a few jokes and gags that manage to land and Rampage is certainly a mildly enjoyable way to spend two hours without having to think too much.
In short, if what you're expecting out of Rampage is an action-packed film full of impressive visuals and enough leveled skyscrapers to make Godzilla proud, then you won't walk out of the theater disappointed. If, however, you are hoping for a story that makes sense or one that is different and unique compared to all the other monster movies to come before it then Rampage will likely leave you wanting. Taken for what it is, though, Rampage is no doubt a fun way to harken back to the time when giant monsters turning cities to dust was the best that Hollywood had to offer.