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Firewall (2006)
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Reviews Counted:36
Fresh:6
Rotten:30
Average Rating:4.8/10
Consensus: Harrison Ford's rote performance brings little to this uninspired techno-heist film whose formulaic plot is befuddled with tedious and improbable twists.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for some intense sequences of violence
Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theatrical Release:2005
Box Office: $48,699,400
Synopsis: Jack Stanfield (Harrison Ford) is an average family man in Seattle who heads up the hi-tech security team at his local bank. But following a seemingly trivial case of identity theft, Jack's life is... Jack Stanfield (Harrison Ford) is an average family man in Seattle who heads up the hi-tech security team at his local bank. But following a seemingly trivial case of identity theft, Jack's life is turned upside-down when he discovers that his wife (Virginia Madsen) and two kids have been kidnapped. The ransom? A mere $100 million, which the kidnappers, led by Bill Cox (Paul Bettany), want Jack to obtain for them via his expert computer skills. Initially compliant, Jack is soon irked by Cox and his cronies to the point where he decides to get his family back and bring the bad guys to justice. British Director Richard Loncraine (WIMBLEDON) uses this basic premise to orchestrate a number of frantic set-pieces, while Ford concocts a character similar to his take on Dr. Richard Kimble in THE FUGITIVE. With a mouthful of computer jargon and nimble fingers that tumble frantically over a keyboard whenever he's in front of a computer, Ford's character is an unlikely action hero. Meanwhile, Bettany's bad guy gives subtly sinister instructions in his clipped British accent, Robert Forster (JACKIE BROWN) provides a likeable if underused ally for Ford, and Madsen slots neatly into her wife-in-peril role. As the film builds to an explosive climax Loncraine dumps the gadgets and carves out a delirious romp through action-movie conventions, ultimately infusing an old-fashioned story with a twist of 21st-century techno-fear. [More]
Starring: Harrison Ford, Paul Bettany, Virginia Madsen, Alan Arkin
Starring: Harrison Ford, Paul Bettany, Virginia Madsen, Alan Arkin, Beverley Breuer, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Ken Tremblett, Robert Forster, Robert Patrick, Joe Forte
Director: Richard Loncraine
Director: Richard Loncraine
Screenwriter: Joe Forte
Producer: Armyan Bernstein, Graham Burke, Jeffrey Clifford, Jonathan Shestack
Composer: Alexandre Desplat
Studio: Warner Bros.
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Release:
Sep 5, 2006
Reviews for Firewall
Harrison Ford is outshone by his costars in this crisp, conventional thriller.
The movie gets a lift from Mary Lynn Rajskub in a glamorized version of her nerd’s wet dream Chloe on 24, which is also better this year with the Chloe quotient pumped up.
This is one of the dopiest plans in the history of evil genius plans.
As we watch Ford reprise his trademark mannerisms, we no longer enjoy the ring of familiarity. We just hear the tolling of a bell -- Ford's.
Firewall is the flaming arrow of truth that Harrison Ford is fully in the throes of what worried scientists are calling the De Niro Syndrome.
It's a tricky thing, but an ideal thriller enables an audience to enjoy watching characters suffer. Here, that's difficult.
It's not long before the timely issue of identity theft takes a backseat to old-fashioned Hollywood villainy, unnecessary (and nonsensical) red herrings, and stuff that doesn't make sense.
Those who don't spend enough time watching computer screens at work, however, can see more of them in Firewall, starring grumpy Harrison Ford as the head of digital security for a mid-sized Seattle bank.
Expect the predictable series of attempted double crosses, frame-ups and escape attempts that will be wearyingly familiar to anyone whose seen last year's Hostage.
For every movie based on a clever screenplay that takes years to get made, there are a dozen like the formula hostage thriller Firewall.
If you're in the mood for a thriller, Firewall will suffice -- barely.
This film is so formulaic, so thoroughly what you'd expect that by the time you're done watching it you feel like you've just seen it for the second time.
A generally uninspired script strains when it's time to wrap things up.
Firewall gives us little reason to bestow deeper meaning on what is essentially a pre-owned Ford vehicle.
There are other plot holes (four days indoors and the dog doesn't have to go?) but, dispiritingly, Firewall is one of those movies where every detail in the first act is designed to pay off by the third.
What we essentially have here is an old-fashioned, not always convincing B picture with A-list stars.
Latest News for Firewall
February 08, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: Comedy vs. Cannibals at the Multiplexes
Moviegoers get to choose between a master comic taking on three roles or a diabolical screen villain in his early years when they walk into their local multiplex this weekend. More...
June 05, 2006:
Virginia Madsen Isn't Mrs. Indy ... But She'd Love to Be Asked
The lovely and talented Virginia Madsen has been dogged by the rumor since she co-starred with Harrison Ford in "Firewall" ... WILL she be starring as Mrs. Indiana... More...
May 11, 2006:
Bettany Not Too Likely to Play The Joker
To those of you who've chosen Paul Bettany (aka Mr. Jennifer Connelly) as the front-runner to play The Joker in "Batman Begins 2," well, you may be out of luck --... More...
February 13, 2006:
Clouseau Defeats Death to Claim the Weekend Box Office
Four brand-new flicks took most of the money home over this past weekend. First and second place were remarkably close, but early estimates indicate that Steve Martin and his... More...
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