Firestorm (1998)

Poorly written, poorly performed, chock-full of factual errors. Some of the fire scenes were ok but all in all not even Scott Glenn could save this turd.

Firestorm is a movie that people who are 15 and older might enjoy to watch. The acting in the movie truly gives the film its cohesiveness. There is no outstanding actor/actress. They all work together to make the film work. Firestorm is not the best nor the worst film ever. It is a good solid action (crime) drama. Firestorm is a movie which helps to humanize firefighters. The criminal elements in the film are truly ruthless and deserve no sympathy. We are all afraid of fire burning down our homes, consuming our life's memories, and burning alive. This movie brings these fears into focus. Firestorm also reminds us all as to why every community needs firefighters. For it short duration of about an hour and one half, Firestorm will keep you occupied. Grab the popcorn, soda, and some extra water (just in case). I give it four thumbs up.

I've seen worse and of course I've seen better. I enjoyed Backdraft, and I figured this was just Backdraft in the woods. It was just what I expected, a cheesy action movie, with "witty" lines and a totally off the wall villain. William Forsythe is one of my favorite "villain" actors, and he does not disappoint. There's something about him that's really creepy. Favorite line? "Heeeeeeeeeeeeey smokejumpah! You still alive?" If you're looking for a B movie that has pretty good action scenes and bad dialogue, this is the one for you. The fire scenes were actually quite good too. Great improbable stunts too.Too bad Howie didn't take his shirt off, I would have given it another star.

Somewhere inside this movie is another Die Hard waiting to get out. A classic exercise on what not to do when making an action epic - to wit: don't sellout your action scenes with chop sockey editing that renders your story incomprehensible. Don't try to rip off little bits of other action movies and do them with less panache. Despite all the snark, Howie does a pretty good job and with a good director he might have made something of it. Hell, Glenn and Forsythe are experienced actors and they suck eggs in every scene- that's the director and editor's fault. I think if someone had given the raw footage to John McTiernan we might have seen a different, and decent, movie. If I remember correctly, Long was voted Male Star of Tomorrow at ShoWest 1997.