Backdraft (1991)

A somewhat contrived screenplay doesn't stop this thriller from serving up some of the most spectacular fire sequences ever committed to film. Like any Ron Howard production Backdraft is impressively slick and boasts a stellar cast, including Kurt Russell and William Baldwin. The actors play sibling rivals who have been at odds since the death of their firefighter father years earlier. Robert De Niro is the veteran fire inspector who is tracking a series of mysterious and deadly arsons, and Donald Sutherland is effectively creepy as the former arsonist who understands the criminal psychology of pyromaniacs. Rebecca De Mornay, Scott Glenn, and Jennifer Jason Leigh are featured in supporting roles. Backdraft is a triumph of stunt work and flaming special effects. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

EXCELLANT

This movie was released in theaters on May 24 1991 starring Kurt Russell as Stephen Bull McCaffery, William Baldwin as Brian McCaffery, and Robert DeNiro as Donald Shadow Rimgale. As a firefighter son Brian McCaffery always knew that one day his father wouldn't come home from fighting a fire. His brother Stephen whose nickname is the Bull has already started to follow in his fathers foot steps has already become a firefighter. Now Brian has graduated from rookie school and ends up at the same firehouse that his brother Stephen is. It doesn't take long before the two realize that they can't work together in the same fire house. However, there's a problem growing in the South side of Chicago as a series of Suspicious fires start to surface which forces Brian who still remembers how his dad died to join the investigative office to find out why and how these fires are getting started. As the evidences starts to mount it take Brian to an area where he doesn't want to go. Now a few thoughts on this movie! This is one of those movies where you start on the edge of your sit and you never move. The action and drama in this picture was fantastic. This picture also was great without a leading lady. Based on this, I give this movie 10 weasel stars. July 6, 2008

Much better than I anticipated.

A drama about firefighters?
Yawn. My red flag went off when I heard about this one.
I actually rented it one night.
And surprise, surprise....... it's good.
Excellent acting, an interesting story.
Well, the usual hetero stuff anyway.
Would have been better with a few gay firefighters.
Then they could have called it Broke Back Backdraft.
My sad humor aside.
A very good movie, very emotional and well written.
Recommended. June 13, 2008

Backdraft (HD DVD)

HD brings the movie to life. A pleasure to watch especially for BOGO free. Great movie to add to your collection. February 8, 2008

Recommended

Ron Howardfs breakout mega-film of the early 90fs. A huge hit in the theatres, you would think a movie about big fires would translate well into HD c and it does. Like all our reviews, we skip the plot reviews because we want to know whether you should buy this movie in HD DVD or just use an upconverted SD DVD. I donft want to dote on character development (which is heavy in this movie) becasue it matters not to the HD quality. So, in short, this Universal release is a very cool movie about Chicago firemen as told through the voice of two firefighting brothers. Firefighters are unique civil servants in that they lack authority some other civil servants possess. This makes a firefighter a true hero. Obviously, then, Backdraft asserts itself as a tribute to these unique heroes.

Having watched many recently produced movies on HD DVD and many movies produced more than 20 years ago movies on HD DVD I am beginning to see a major difference in the pre-effects days in Hollywood. Backdraft is probably one of the last great action/drama movies that does not rely on effects to make things look perfect. The transfer to HD is grand but what remains is that late 80fs/early 90fs movie quality. We still have to deal with the 2 minute musical interlude to show activity: building a house, falling in love, or learning how to be a firefighter. Backdraft probably looked awesome in a theatre (I have to admit I never saw it in the theatre). The explosions and fires still hold up, and thatfs what this movie is about, but having been indoctrinated into HD with movies like Transformers where the action occurs all around you, and not just in front of you on the screen, even on a 56 TV the anamorphic 70mm looks kinda dinky. You have to respect the fact, however, that the fire in this movies is real and not digitally added. While this retains the uniqueness of the movie, it limits the directorfs ability to make a truly immersive picture. I am confident, however, that when shooting the film, cinematographer Mikael Salomon probably never said, gGee, I wonder how this will look in HD from a couchh. All old skool movie making aside, the HD picture was great - with no discernable flaws (as were exhibited in Dune, our next review).

Like most of the movies I like in HD, what makes this movie special in HD is the audio mix. Its a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix (No true HD for you Dr. Jones!) Where the cinematographer was limited the engineer really made this HD transfer shine. The fires engulfed us not with its images, but with its roar and grumbles. Additionally, the subtle environmental effects added that special favor to this movie.

The extras are forgettable. Universal, regreattable, spent no time on the menu system either which is the typical polished silver Universal HD DVD menu.

Did I like this movie? Yes. Did I like the HD transfer? sure. Would I recommend it? Yes, but there are about 50 other HD DVD movies I would get before this one - unless, of course, this is one of your all-time favorties. January 30, 2008

Who cares about realism?

This film is one of the best I have seen in a long time. Having been a fan of the score for quite some time (easily Hans Zimmer's best) I though I should really see it. And... wow.

Firstly, the transfer is pretty good. There are better out there, but the special effects hold up and, yes, you can see everyones pores when they sweat. Minor grain, but nothing too distracting. Much better than what I have heard about the dvd transfer!

Moving onto the film itself, there seems to be outcries from firemen's sons who say it is not wholly accurate. But, is accuracy the point of a film? I found it very engaging, and came away from it wanting to know much more about what a "backdraft" it (look on wikipedia - it is a real. The acting was really good - thank God it was not Brad Pitt in the end - and the message came through.

I would recommend this film to anyone, because anyone can watch and enjoy it. January 26, 2008

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