The Rundown (VHS, 2004)

The Rock (aka Duane Johnson) firmly establishes himself as a major Hollywood force in THE RUNDOWN, an engaging action-comedy directed by Peter Berg. Johnson/Rock plays Beck, a retriever-for-hire, who is sent on one final mission before he can retire and realize his dream of opening up a restaurant. Trading in the cement streets of Los Angeles for the jungles of the Amazon, Beck begins his quest to locate his boss' son, Travis (Seann William Scott). When he walks into the establishment of the beautiful Mariana (Rosario Dawson), he does just that. But before he can drag Travis back to the airstrip and deliver him to his father, the evil Hatcher (Christopher Walken) arrives and reminds Beck that this is his jurisdiction. Apparently, Travis is incredibly close to locating a rare relic, and until that happens, Hatcher isn't letting Travis out of his sight. Of course, Beck uses his talent for kicking butt to escape with Travis, but after their jeep tumbles off a mountain, they find themselves trapped in the jungle with Hatcher hot on their trail. Berg's film breathes with a lighthearted air that is truly refreshing for the action genre, while the relentlessly hilarious interplay between The Rock and Scott is a sight to behold.