Backdraft

Time is a powerful wizard that in only two decades can turn a truly exciting and riveting action film into an almost silly self-parody. It never ceases to amaze me how those slow-motion shots, the pathetic dialogues and the dramatic music could ever have had an effect on anyone. The craftsmanship is your classic, competent Howard and the special effects are very good, but Ron has again failed to captivate me. Backdraft belongs to the past. (07/26/2010)

I expected a bit more from Ron Howard in the end. Don’t get me wrong, the film’s visuals are captivating; I was often blown away by the special and practical effects, and the fantastic soundtrack by Zimmer, with its thunderous tones, enhanced the already amazing viewing experience. However, I have an issue with the plethora of melodramatic scenes. At times, the film seemed ridiculous because the situations were portrayed in a very unrealistic and unconvincing way. While I was in awe of what was happening on screen at moments, at other times I could only show a pained expression, not understanding why certain elements were included. Acting-wise, it was on point, with Donald Sutherland delivering a precise performance in his brief scenes, showcasing his acting talent fully. Kurt Russell was excellent, while William Baldwin lagged behind. The main storyline was quite transparent, but I’d be lying if I said the final twist didn’t pleasantly surprise me. So, overall, it’s a decent watch but with several cosmetic flaws. For me, it’s a 70%. (09/27/2020)

One of Ron Howard’s better films. It has an average script, more characters and less plot than it should perhaps, but technically it is brilliant. Thrilling action sequences plus Hans Zimmer's music – that is really worth seeing, and the casting is also perfectly accurate. (10/22/2004)

A very pleasant perennial... Although the detective plot of this thriller is forgettable and not appealing in any way, the fire department environment, the adrenaline rush in the middle of the fire, and the excellent Kurt Rusell add the necessary flair to Howard's film. In particular, the role of the tough (but surprisingly vulnerable) bull McCaffrey is amongst Russell's best alongside the unforgettable pilot R.J. MacReady. The handsome William Baldwin is a little lively in his shadow, but old man Sutherland is enjoying his maniacal pyrotechnician. De Niro? Routine. It is worth noting that Backdraft works not only as a spectacular fireworks display, but that it also manages to play out human drama against the background of the story. And in the end, even the dose of heroic pathos can be withstood, but somebody's got to put it out, right? Just a pleasant spectacle that warms, but definitely doesn't burn. (10/22/2004)

Going into this, I figured there’d be more fire than at a rowdy city hall protest, and I wasn’t wrong. The actors were great, and you could tell they were having fun playing firefighters. But it did feel like the filmmakers just said, "Let’s make a movie about firefighters." No need for a deep plot—saving lives is the story itself. So, what we get is a string of action scenes where one firefighter races after another, something goes wrong, and then it’s rinse and repeat. It’s less about the story and more of a tribute to the real heroes who save lives every day. And because of that, it’s a nice film, but three stars feels just right for what it delivers. (07/08/2011)