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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dumb, brainless action but fun in a way, July 31, 2000
This movie only lasts for barely 89 minutes. This makes me wonder if anything was cut out of the movie in the editing room. I think there was when I watch the film. It could have been so much more. What's left is a very brief and entertaining movie about a prison break. With very little Firestorm.
Many people have said that Howie Long's performance in this film is quite poor. I think that he did a fine job. I can honestly say his performance is totally adequate. William Forsythe is quite a decent villain too. Neither hammy nor campy. I'm glad he was in the movie.
But I'm not glad the film was a flop. It would have been a big hit if it was longer and had more plot. You can't call a film FIRESTORM and have only a few seconds worth of fire in it. I don't know what has been cut from this film but it has damaged it severely. Chris Soth is the only person credited with writing this film but rumor has it that Graeme Yost actually wrote the first draft but used his affiliation with the of the WGA to take if off after they hashed his script around too much.
Although it is bare-boned and anorexic it is still a cool film to watch.
It really would benefit from a Blu Ray release though.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unparalleled realism, Howie's hygiene is beyond reproach, June 10, 2006
As a real-life wildland firefighter I am here to tell you that this movie is perfection and grace. The writers themselves must have eaten smoke in some former life. Indeed they nailed every aspect of wildland firefighting. From DOC crews who are chained to their bus while traveling to the fire and released with a potential deadly weapon in a camouflage ridden forest---to Howie's masterful portrayal of a smokejumper with a heart and the childlike demeanor of an alcoholic scoutmaster, this film is pure gold. If one flaw should be cited, it is, that the incendiary, helicopter launched, ping pong ball machine failed to explode with enough devastating force! Firefighters know that ping pong balls do not make a grenade sized explosions, but one more akin to a bunker buster launched from an F16. The chainsaw scene took my breath away, Howie's acting was certainly slighted by a lack of an academy nomination. The fire at the movie's end was the first true-to-life portrayal of a wildland fire since the Lions Gate film 'Superfire'. It is comforting to know that someone realizes wildland fires travel at speeds exceeding 125 miles per hour and rip mature pine trees out by their roots hurling them a quarter mile or more. Thank you Howie, you're the man!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT ENTERTAINMENT - A MACHO MOVIE - GREAT SUBJECT, February 3, 2005
A macho movie -- just means that the guys are out there doing their job with a few nuts thrown in.
I am always looking for Scott Glenn's movies and enjoy the few that I have.
I have always had the greatest respect for paratroopers covering any job. I can't imagine a job much more dangerous. You got to admire these guys.
Loved the movie and all the color - the terrain - the characters - and hey, how about that heliocopter pilot. Wow! look at that long hair.
Would love to have had a feature on the making of the movie.
Oh, and Howie Long still looks better that the baby faced actors being used today.
Well worth seeing - will be added to my collection.
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