Rampage (2018)
Warner Bros. DVD - 2018
Warner Bros. BRD+DVD - 2018
Warner Bros. BRD3D - 2018
Warner Bros. 4KUHD+BRD - 2018
Amid all of the Pacific Rim and Monsterverse films that have come about in this decade, Warner Bros. and New Line released Rampage to theaters in April 2018, an adaptation of the classic arcade game about giant rampaging monsters.
In addition to deleted scenes and a gag reel, WB put together a nice assortment of video featurettes for Rampage’s home media release, running 49 minutes in total. They all feature interviews with actor Dwayne Johnson, director Brad Peyton, producer Beau Flynn and others, interspersed with lots of behind-the-scenes footage, concept art, previz animatics and clips from the finished film.
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Not Just a Game Anymore - 6:15
Members of the cast and crew reminisce about the original Rampage arcade game, along with Brian Colin, the game’s designer & animator. Dwayne Johnson reminisces about playing the arcade game when he was skipping school. Brad Peyton talks about drawing influence from the game. Screenwriter Ryan Engle, actor Malin Akerman and executive producer Jeff Fierson also chime in.
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Rampage: Actors In Action - 10:45
Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Joe Manganiello and Marley Shelton are all interviewed in this featurette devoted to the cast, although Malin Akerman and Jake Lacy are absent.
Morgan discusses his approach to going toe-to-toe with The Rock. Shelton recounts the challenges of simulating zero-gravity for her scenes in space. Manganiello talks about training for his role as the mercenary leader Burke. He fondly recalls watching “old giant Japanese monster movies” as a kid. Matt Gerald and UFC fighter Urijah Faber briefly discuss their roles as mercenaries. Stunt coordinator Allan Poppleton, military advisor Patrick Brown and armorer Larry Zanoff are also interviewed.
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Trio of Destruction - 10:08
This featurette is all about the monsters. David Clayton, Aidan Martin and other Weta animators discuss the process of designing George, Ralph and Lizzie for the screen. We get to see computer-animated walk cycles for all three monsters plus a bevy of beautiful creature concept art. Brad Peyton professes his desire to show the monsters in broad daylight.
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Attack on Chicago - 10:23
This featurette takes a closer look at the film’s third act in which all three monsters converge in Chicago. Stephen Unterfranz, Erik Winquist and Johnathan Nixon of Weta are all interviewed along with production designer Barry Chusid, VFX supervisor Colin Strause and construction coordinator Jonas Kirk. Actor Jake Lacy also chimes in briefly for the only time in these featurettes.
We’re treated to a lot of dynamic aerial footage shot on location in Chicago as well as some composite breakdowns with the location plates and computer graphics as separate elements. The VFX team spends a few minutes discussing the centerpiece toppling of the Willis (Sears) Tower. For all of the CGI that the production utilized, it’s cool to see just how many physical effects of the city destruction were actually created on-set.
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Bringing George to Life - 11:53
This is the most interesting of these featurettes, as it goes in-depth with movement coordinator Terry Notary and George’s motion-capture performer, Jason Liles, as well as the team of effects artists at Weta. Liles has since gone on to portray both Ghidorah’s center head and Rodan in Godzilla: King of the Monsters.
Notary is shown training Liles outdoors with stilts on their arms, allowing them to stand and move with gorilla postures. Both men talk extensively about their approaches to performing. They take their work very seriously and it’s fascinating to hear the details of their thought processes.
Notary’s daughters Skye and Willow are also featured briefly, portraying the female gorillas in George’s habitat. Weta’s animation supervisor Aidan Martin talks about creating George’s digital form along with Erik Winquist and Colin Strause.
