The Rundown

Beck is hired to recover a legendary artifact rumored to lie somewhere in the Brazilian Amazon. When Travis, the son of a crime lord, vanishes while chasing the same prize, Beck finds himself pulled into a dangerous hunt. He clashes with Travis as they reluctantly team up, each using the other to reach Mariana, a mysterious local woman who fascinates both men. Their mission attracts a ruthless tyrant named Hatcher and a web of double crosses, forcing Beck to keep his cool as the jungle tests his grit. The search brims with traps, Declan, a wary Irish guide, and set pieces that mix danger with dark humor. The mission also tests Beck's ethics when an ally's loyalties come into question.

Directed by Peter Berg, The Rundown is born from original screenplay by R.J. Stewart and James Vanderbilt, marking a kinetic action comedy that blends tropical adventure with banter. The production leans on practical stunts and locations to punch up humor.

With a budget of 85 million, the film grossed about 80.9 million worldwide, placing it in the modest range for its release period. It found some strength in international markets and among Johnson fans, but did not explode theatrically worldwide.

Critics offered mixed signals, praising Johnson and Seann William Scott for comic timing while critiquing a familiar treasure hunt plot. The film explores loyalty and ambition, the pull of legacy, and a clash between jungle grit and polished urban swagger. It balances humor with pulp action, keeping energy high throughout.

The Rundown helped cement Dwayne Johnson as a bankable action star in the early 2000s. Its mix of physical humor and practical stunts fed into later buddy action comedies, and the jungle setting became a recognizable backdrop that audiences associated with his screen persona for fans of the genre today.