Backdraft
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Movie Reviews of Backdraft
Movie Review: Fire Wins the Oscar
Summary: 3 Stars
With a creaky plot, and what seemed to me, playing fast and loose with how firemen actually fight fires, all is forgiven for the magnificent scenes of fires that actually seem to be living monsters desperately searching for oxygen so they can engulf the universe. Scary stuff!Kurt Russell and William Baldwin are firefighter brothers carrying on the legacy of their father who was killed in the line of duty. Russell is hard nosed, swaggering "Bull" while baby brother Baldwin, a neophyte fireman, is sensitive and simmers with hostility at serving under rough, tough Russell. Political hanky panky has understaffed the fire department, plus arson is suspected causing an increase in death and injuries of firefighters.
The script is so predictable, it is hard to fault the actors; however, I would say Robert de Niro mainly showed up to collect his paycheck. Kurt Russell sparks whatever emotional empathy is available in a fine performance as the bullying, but strangely pure Stephen. I have a bit of fondness for the Baldwin brothers, so was satisfied with Billy's mostly soulful face throughout. Donald Sutherland was excellent in a small role as a creepy, soft-spoken former arsonist. Rebecca de Mornay and Jennifer Jason Leigh were both mainly wasted in their Loyal Ladies in Waiting roles. The pace is excellent, so boredom is never a factor.
The "extras" in the DVD are almost nonexistent, but sound and picture are good. I have this nervous feeling that every arsonist in the world had "Backdraft" on his/her must-see list.
-sweetmolly-Amazon Reviewer
Movie Review: Great fire scenes, great actors, poor story
Summary: 3 Stars
Despite the hokey storyline of two brothers locked in enmity working for the same firehouse company, this movie is worth watching for the excellent fire scenes. But cadet firefighters beware: this movie is NOT NFPA APPROVED. The firefighters in this movie scorn protective gear, spurn self-contained breathing apparatus, and breach 100 other firefighting regs all in the name of maverick machismo. And the hero plies the heroine with his, er, hose atop the hoses on an Engine. Definitely not usage as per regulations and would earn a severe reprimand. After all, it results in a life threatening delay in deploying the 2-1/2 inch while a brassiere is untangled from it. A funny part to watch for is the catchphrase 'It's in the walls!' as smoke gets mysteriously sucked back I suppose into the walls leaving the structure unblackened and unscorched, just as if the video had been reversed. Oh yeah, duh. Anyway, great cameos by grouchy investigator De Niro and twisted arsonist Sutherland. Watch it, enjoy it, suspend disbelief during it. The first rescue scene for example. Even wearing bunker gloves a firefighter should take that pronounced a degree of rigor mortis as clear evidence of what is technically referred to in the trade as "dead".Movie Review: Okay but not as good as LADDER 49
Summary: 3 Stars
I am a fire buff and I enjoy firefighters but this movie isn't as good as LADDER 49 because some of the firefighters didn't wear their SCBAs (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus). Also, Kurt Russell's coat wasn't buttoned all the way up. The trucks used in the movie are Engine 17 (1970 Ward LaFrance) Engine 24 (1978 American LaFrance)Truck 46 in the opening (1976 International Harvester with a Seagrave tiller trailer) truck 46 in the later parts of the movie (1972 Mack CF with customized lights) Truck 6 (1970s American LaFrance ladder truck) and Engine 51 (also a 1970 Ward LaFrance).
The fire used in this is digital and it doesn't look right in fire movies and Jay Russell tried using digital fire and so he had to use real fire in Ladder 49. Also, when Ron Howard made this movie he made things go overtime and almost burn Kurt Russell. I saw the making of it on a Ron Howard The Directors video.
Movie Review: Good Movie.
Summary: 3 Stars
It has to deal with firefighting and I enjoy anything with firefighting in it. This is a good movie.
Ron Howard directs an all-star cast in this exciting action-thriller that shows you the mystery, drama and devastation of fire as you've never seen it before! Kurt Russell & William Baldwin star as 2 feuding siblings carrying on an heroic family tradition as Chicago Firefighters. But when a puzziling series of arson attacks is reported, they are forced to set aside their differences to solve the mystery surrounding these explosive crimes.
Rated: R For Strong Language, Violence, and a Scene of Sex.
Running Time: 135 Minutes
Movie Review: this movie is ok
Summary: 3 Stars
i like this movie i found it good my dad who is a new york city fire man (NOT a volenteer hes a real fire man) showed me that it was kinda corney the people always ran in to the fire with there jacket wide open (which if you did that in real life youd be dead in 2 seconds) it had a prety good story to it thought they never wore there oxegen masks thats what made this movie corney i didnt like one of the names of the fire man his name was john adcox he always ran into a fire always useing the hose in slow motion like james bond's moves he must of fought over the hose like a baby becuase he always got it this movie is kinda worth it.