I admit to coming to this film having played the old video game around 30 years ago - not in its arcade incarnation, but on my ancient home computer system as a kid. It translates well to the screen as a pseudo GODZILLA type movie, but ironically it manages to be better than both the recent GODZILLAs. Why? Because it's more fun.

Dwayne Johnson is another winning presence as the star of the show and manages to be larger than life than even the plus-size special effects. His presence adds a star to the rating alone, which is often the case. The story is fast paced and action packed, full of set pieces and CGI effects; it's all entirely predictable as it transpires, but at least it's never boring.

Cast-wise, you get Naomie Harris acquitting herself well as the intelligent female lead and Jeffrey Dean Morgan reprising his wisecracking Negan role from THE WALKING DEAD. Sure, some of the writing is a little juvenile and some of the supporting players a little over the top (well, a lot) but overall this works a treat as a fun, cinematic rollercoaster ride.

Dwayne Johnson may not be the greatest of actors but he is a very likeable and charismatic guy. The advertising and concept of 'Rampage' gave the sense that there was potential for a turn-brain-off-at-the-door fun film, and the kind of film 'Rampage' was a type that has been enjoyed on a number of occasions by me regardless of its mixed to negative critical reception.

For the record, while often being on the same page as critics and general consensus (a minority opinion here, critics these days seem to always treated with condescending scorn by many), that doesn't mean that there have not been times where my opinion has gone against the grain while understanding where they are coming from either in their appraisals or their criticisms. Judging it with an open mind and with a want to like it, unfortunately do have to agree with the general consensus here.

'Rampage' is not a complete mess. Johnson is as likeable and charismatic as ever and George is a spectacularly designed creation that has both menace and soul. The chemistry and relationship between the two is where 'Rampage' in terms of characterisation and interaction is most successful.

The film is well made and the barnstorming and exciting action sequences are as impressive as the special effects. Jeffrey Dean Morgan has fun in his shadowy role.

However, the rest of the cast don't work. Naomie Harris is a blank in a just there sort of role with nothing to it. Coming off worst are Malin Akerman and Jake Lacy, portraying their clichéd cartoonish roles with more ham than a gammon dinner, Lacy in particular. Everybody else is lost amidst the rest of the film, in a film over reliant on explosions and destructions that heart, fun and brains are sacrificed.

Johnson and George's characters and interaction aside, the characters are shallow clichés that one has seen before so many times and sadly none of them are interesting. The villains have no menace or intrigue and more like obnoxious cartoons. The story is lacking outside of the action, the excitement goes and becomes dull, silly and predictable, with an ending that is both overblown and ridiculous. The worst asset is the script, which consists of absolutely atrocious dialogue and an overload of exposition that adds little and written clunkily.

Overall, has moments but messy. 4/10 Bethany Cox

Wildlife expert Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson) has a bond with the smart albino gorilla George. George finds a canister from a destroyed space station. It's part of a genetic experiment and George starts to grow violent. It's an evil scheme by CEO Claire Wyden (Malin Åkerman) and her lackey brother Brett (Jake Lacy). Scientist Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris) had been fired and teams up with Davis. Davis saves the life of agent Harvey Russell (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) after George crashes their plane.

The plot is a mess and the Rock doesn't really have a partner other than George. The city destruct-o-rama is fine but it's nothing new. It's all been done before. It's strange to say that the Rock's most human connection is with a gorilla. Naomie is a blank. JDM is doing a non-evil Negan. Malin is twisting her evil moustache but I don't know how her plan works. It starts from the opening action. It should be Davis battling poachers but it's some convoluted space action. The astronaut is a nobody and then she dies. Certainly, I see the desperate writers trying to make sense of a non-sense video game but that doesn't excuse a bad job.