Cheap Backdraft (DVD) (Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Robert De Niro, Donald Sutherland) (Ron Howard) Price

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Customer Reviews of Backdraft

Weep for the possibilities.
There are several good things about Ron Howard's "Backdraft"--namely, the truly incredible fire sequences and solid performances by the great veteran actors Kurt Russell, Robert De Niro and Donald Sutherland. Unfortunately, the movie's flaws weigh far more heavily: the mawkish, cliche-ridden script; the almost total waste of the fine actors Jennifer Jason Leigh, Scott Glenn and Rebecca De Mornay (De Mornay at least has one good, if very short, emotional scene with Russell); and, worst of all, the completely inadequate lead performance of William Baldwin. Almost any reasonably good-looking, well-built actor of Baldwin's age group would have done a better job. (Baldwin's role was originally written for Tom Cruise, who would have given the movie some much-needed star power.) Ron Howard grew up in TV, and his is predominantly a TV sensibility. This works fine in comedy, such as Splash and Parenthood, or in dramas with a well-defined beginning, middle and end, such as Apollo 13. In films which call for the director's shaping hand, however, Howard's limitations become glaring; just whose idea was it, anyway, to have Baldwin and Leigh make love on top of a speeding fire truck? This movie should have been an action- and character-driven pop masterpiece, but instead is barely adequate.

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A great film!!
If you like to watch a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat with great special effects and wonderful, true to life character interactions, I definitely recommend Ron Howard's Backdraft. The interactions among all the actors come across as very natural, as if all the actors where actually who they were playing, making the characters more believable. Not only are the characters believable, but the special effects that continue through out the movie, whether big or small, pull everything together to make Backdraft one of the best films I have ever seen. The basis of this movie is that people around the Chicago area are dying by way of these backdrafts. It is up to the arson investigator, played by Robert DeNiro to find out what is going on. The other characters involved are two brothers who's father died serving the same fire department they work for. Kurt Russell plays the oldest brother, Lieutenant Stephen 'Bull' McCaffrey ,who has been with the force for many years, and William Baldwin plays the younger brother, Brian McCaffrey who just joined the force. Throughout the movie the two brothers battle conflict with each other relating to sibling rivalry among other things, and Brian ends up leaving the force to join the arson investigating office.. Other characters involved around the two brothers are Rebecca De Mornay, who plays Helen McCaffrey, the ex-wife of Kurt Russell. Her part is not that large, but the importance of her character in regards to Kurt Russell is definitely noticeable, and the friendship that still exists between them is easy to relate to. Jennifer Jason Leigh, who plays Jennifer Vaitkus, the ex-girlfriend of William Baldwin, has a bit of a larger role. Not only does she appear from William Baldwin's past, but she now holds the position of Assistant to the Alderman, to whom many contacts will be made. Donald Sutherland, who plays Ronald Bartel, a former arsonist who understands the criminal psychology of pyromaniacs, gives insight to the arson investigation team, by sharing some of his own stories of arson from his past. Scott Glenn plays the role as a fellow firefighter "Axe" Adcox. His character is that of a supporting brotherly figure, to which is not quite appreciated. Finally there is J.T. Walsh, who gives an excellent supporting performance as the sleazy Alderman Swayczak. He is responsible for making changes within the Chicago fire department that do not benefit the department all that well. All of the actors work great together, and seem natural among one another. These special effects, by far, make the movie mesmerizing. Not only do you see the fire as it threatens the characters and destroys everything in its path, but you get to see an insight of how fire really moves, how it breaths, and how it can dance and hide with the wink of the eye. One particular scene, where a building is on fire and the two brothers must go in after a little boy, really give you the feeling of being up close and personal with the fire around them.. You feel the fear of being hurt along the anticipation of trying to save the life of the little boy right along side the characters. The combination of great characters and believable situations, make this story memorable. The story, written by Gregory Widen, is not only full of action, but in some situations, it shows how life really is.. Whether it is the friction felt by siblings trying to live up to false expectations of one another, or doing the right thing when it comes to your job and your personal friendships, nothing in this story appears impossible. Over all a great combination of characters, actors and producer that make one heck of a good film.

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Predictable but watchable
Backdraft sticks to convention and only innovates in its special effects. The plot is rather contrived and provides the excuse for the filmmakers to play with fire -- lots of it.