Backdraft

Backdraft, proves once again, that Ron Howard is one of Hollywood's major contenders. This time around he explores fire through technical wizardry.

The movie itself is a tad bit overdone, story wise, but the effects are absolutely astonishing. And the acting, by mostly everyone is fabulous. It takes a lot to outdo Robert De Niro, but Kurt Russell manages to do so, especially in the end sequence. And even better, William Baldwin shows he can act.

Rating = 8 of 10

The problem with this movie is that there is too much going on here for its own good and if some of the stupid sub-plots were eliminted, it would have been better. It's not that I don't like the film, because I do, but the romance between Baldwin and Leigh is so forced and unbelievable that I actually cringed when I watched it for the first time in about three years. Also Russell's relationship with his ex-wife is just not needed. I know in some people's minds it shows the dangers of being a fireman not just on the job but in life as well, but it just wasn't necessary. And if your'e going to have it in here, at least don't have stupid contrived scenes like the one where Russell shows up on her doorstep late at night drunk and utters lines like " It's the only thing I was ever good at " crap. Which brings me to my next and final negative point. Some of the characters are terribly developed and they are either written poorly or they just deliver their lines like they were in a play in elementary school. Honestly they are that bad sometimes. Even veteran actors can't do much with what they have to work with in some scenes.

Having said all that, I do like this movie for the most part. The special effects are truly astonishing and they add to the realism and intensity of the film. And what I really liked about the film is that the end was so damned touching that I think it actually wanted guys to cry in the theater. When Russell says lines like " That's my brother ***dammit. Look at him go, " is enough to make you swell with pride. And of course when the parade graces the screen you are then given permission to lose it. Now that is powerful stuff. And for those reasons alone I recommend this film. It's just too bad that there were some amateurish elements to the film because it really could have been a classic.

Although Backdraft got Oscar nominations for Best Sound and best visual and audio effects what drives this Ron Howard film is the performances he got from Kurt Russell and Billy Baldwin as the firefighting McCaffrey brothers.

The brothers have a lot of distance in their ages as Russell practically raised McCaffrey after their firefighter father was killed on the job. Baldwin realizes he has a big legacy with the Chicago Fire Department and he's hesitant about it. After some issues with Russell, Baldwin gets assigned to arson investigator Robert DeNiro.

Which gets Baldwin involved in DeNiro's investigation of some strange arson fires that were set to Backdraft and cause homicides and there is a connection between three seemingly unrelated deaths.

The fire effects were great and the location shooting in Chicago a definite plus. Backdraft is the kind of a film you just cannot make on a studio back-lot which 50 years ago it would have been.

I'm surprised some Oscar nominations didn't come for either Russell or Baldwin. Their performances are so good you forget they're actors and you think you are watching firefighting drama.

And Donald Sutherland's bit role as the Hannibal the Cannibal of arsonists is one you'll remember. He has two scenes, one with DeNiro at a parole hearing and later one with Baldwin as Baldwin seeks expert opinion on the arsonist's technique. In that scene Sutherland evokes Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter when FBI agent Jodie Foster seeks his expertise.

And this review is dedicated to all the firefighters all over the world who take on that terribly important job to protect citizens from flame. After watching Backdraft you might get an insight into why the ancient cave people worshiped this phenomenon.

Holy 90s Batman! I've never seen this one before but good lord it feels so much like Top Gun for fire fighters. Backdraft comes fully loaded with machismo, overdramatic montages and a soundtrack with ridiculous music that tries to emotionally blackmail you into the feels. That said... I kinda dig it. Kurt Russel is quite possibly the most underrated action star of all time. In a world of Schwarzeneggers and Stallones running through jungles, both vegetative and concrete, with their massive, glistening physiques we also have Kurt Russel doing insane movies that really let his personality shine.

That seems endemic of Backdraft by the way. This movie is bonkers but it's a lot of fun. Also, when we are practically drowning in a sea of police movies and procedural dramas it's oddly refreshing to see fire fighters represented, problems and all. Again, it's far from a perfect movie but absolutely one I think is worth checking out and enjoying. Just be ready for some crazy.

Oh, also? The cast on this is insane. It feels like they got everyone in Hollywood to be part of this movie and they actually balanced it really well. For instance, De Niro is in this but he's actually a pretty small role and never takes over the movie, and we all know he could. But this is a who's who of 90s talent and that so often doesn't work but it does here.

Ron Howard did a wonderful job of bringing some of the real-life problems that firefighters face everyday in Backdraft. I'm kind of tired of hearing the Monday morning quarterbacks on this site trying to talk about how bad it was and that it wasn't realistic, etc. Take it from a REAL firefighter who has lost brothers in REAL fires and has lived through a REAL backdraft, it's NOT all fun and games, and it's far from glamourous. This movie did an excellent job capturing some of the emotions that flow through every firehouse in America today, particularly after 9/11, we are a brotherhood in which the "I go---we go" mentality is a very REAL concept that most of us live by everyday. And the corruption part of the story, well that's Hollywood for ya, if it doesn't have death, destruction, and corruption...then it doesn't sell very well. Yes there are corrupt politicians and it wouldn't surprise me if things like that did happen, but it's far from commonplace and was just to enhance the film and give you a person to "hate" in the film (JT Walsh, God rest his soul).

So I give it 4 out of 4 stars, very realistic, well directed, EXCELLENT acting on Kurt Russell and Robert DiNiro's parts, and can't wait til I find it on DVD to buy it.