A rookie firefighter tries to earn the respect of his older brother and other firefighters while taking part in an investigation of a string of arsonmurders. This detailed look into the duties and private lives of firemen naturally features widespread pyrotechnics and special effects.
Review
I have seen this movie many times noe and I can understand that many people slam this film for being corny and unrealistic. And they are right it is corny but it is acted and directed with conviction that it is hard for me not to like it. The core of the movie the story of 2 feuding firefighter brothers played by Kurt Russell and Adam Baldwin. This part of the story may be cliched but the 2 actors do a good job in their roles especially Russell he plays the elder brother trying to protect his screwup younger brother from the dangers of firefighting. The other parts are less successful there is a subplot involving the wife of Russells wife inabilty to deal with his risk taking in his job Rebecca DeMornay does what she can with a small role. The other subplot of the story is the one that doesnt work it involves the murders of financial experts hire by a city alderman to close down firestations for financial gain. This part of the story should have been scrapped it just chops up screen time and is never compelling. That leaves the action scenes they are spectacular. The fire scenes keep you on the edge of your seat. The special effects are great but even though the script is corny the actors made me care enough for what was happening to them. It is directed by Ron Howard who usually is more successful in the human side of the story he seems to have spent more time on the technical side of the story than the human side. Too bad even though I like this film it misses greatness due to a weak script.
Grade B