Spring has not yet sprung here in Iowa, so when trying to see this movie we were faced with winter storms. Halfway through our first viewing, the power went out in the movie theater! We were comped tickets, and returned the next day about an hour into the movie, so we wouldn't have to watch the first half again. It's not that it was bad...just definitely not "see it twice in two days" material.
Rampage is based on a video game of which I have little to no knowledge, so that did not color my experience of the movie. What may have colored my experience somewhat is my love of the Rock - I am happy to watch him in just about anything. This movie made ample use of his ridiculously amazing arms and for that I am grateful. We follow the story of primatologist Davis Okoye (the Rock) and his relationship with George, an albino Gorilla. The two communicate with sign language and have a strong relationship. When space debris holding a pathogen falls from the sky, George gets infected and begins to change, drastically and dangerously. Geneticist Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomi Harris) teams up with Davis to stop George, and two other infected animals from destroying Chicago.
The movie is fairly predictable and has boilerplate villains motivated by money and a lack of empathy. Our heroes are courageous, surprisingly funny in unexpected situations, and entertaining to watch. Jeffrey Dean Morgan plays a mysterious government agent with an exaggerated southern drawl, but he's another one I'll watch in just about anything. I found the CGI and special effects to be pretty well done. This movie easily could have come off as incredibly fake and silly, but even though you know what you are watching is computer generated, it still sucks you in.
Overall it is very enjoyable as a "popcorn" movie. It's nothing groundbreaking or award winning, but if you are ready to kick back, turn off your brain a bit and enjoy some action, this is the movie for you.