Backdraft Review
Quite possibly one of the best films ever made about arson and firefighting, Backdraft has a throwback feel and pays homage to the disaster-thriller tradition. The well-spun script keeps the viewer glued as intriguing fire detective work unfolds, and benefits additionally from the blend of Ron_Howard's use of pyrotechnic special effects with some superb acting, a combination which lends glamour to the already-romanticized world of firefighting. Although the anthropomorphisizing of fire is a bit heavy-handed and the sub-plots extraneous and far-flung, Backdraft's twisting narrative is tightly wrapped and makes for some good, nailbiting entertainment. Robert_De_Niro and Donald_Sutherland give excellent performances in their respective roles as the fire chief sleuth and the depraved arsonist, and Kurt_Russell and Billy_Baldwin are also solid as firefighting sibling rivals. Despite its blockbuster appeal and budget, audiences responded lukewarmly to its somewhat far-fetched concept and the result was a lackluster showing at the box office. Mike DiBella, Rovi
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