Solid escapist entertainment, equal parts silly and smart.
Firewall (2006)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:151
Fresh:29
Rotten:122
Average Rating:4.6/10
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
An overblown, unrelenting movie that tries to disguise its ludicrous plot with enough technical jargon to make it all appear feasible.
This is one of the dopiest plans in the history of evil genius plans.
Firewall feels like other movies we've seen starring the same actor...It feels like Harrison Ford is phoning in his performance this time.
This high tech thriller starts out speaking to some hot topics in the headlines but quickly descends into a far-fetched crime drama.
I cannot remember when I've been this incredibly bored by a movie. Put it this way: I had the devil of a time staying awake -- and I saw a matinee.
Can we consider it stealing if Harrison Ford falls back on character traits from roles he originated?
It's not that 'Firewall' is a bad movie --- it's just not that great. Plus I am so over Harrison Ford.
A flawed, formulaic, February film featuring former fugitive Harrison Ford.
No matter how accomplished the performers, it's difficult to make tapping on a keyboard and staring at computer screens exciting.
The new Harrison Ford movie, 'Firewall,' doesn't just sentence its audience to a dull time at the movies. It also sentences its talented cast with 100 minutes of mediocrity.
Ford predictably does his commonplace grunts and grimaces while being overwhelmed by the under-demanding material that has all the spark of an unplugged fax machine.
From the moment that Paul Bettany's British accent mysteriously returns, we know there's trouble afoot.
Let's face it; Harrison Ford is at the end of his shelf life as an action hero.
A rehash of plots from other movies that weren't that good to begin with.
A by-the-numbers, old-fashioned thriller with at least two huge plot holes.
Though Firewall isn't Ford's best work, it's satisfying to see he can still carry an action film.
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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