Ladder 49 (2004)
A bond forged by fire is never broken.
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, John Travolta, Jacinda Barrett, Robert Patrick, Morris Chestnut, Billy Burke, Balthazar Getty, Tim Guinee, Kevin Chapman, Jay Hernandez, Kevin Daniels, Steve Maye, Robert Lewis, Brooke Hamlin, Spencer Berglund
Director: Jay Russell
Running Time: 105 minutes
US MPAA rating: PG-13UK BBFC rating: 12a
Action, Drama, Thriller
Fire! She's man's most ancient friend, but also our most ancient foe. Sure, she might toast our marshmallows and keep us snuggly in the wintertime - but, when she starts ravaging our homes and destroying our disused warehouses, the truce is well and truly off.
And that's when we need firefighters. Firefighters like Jack Morrison (Joaquin Phoenix), who might not have much going on in his own upstairs department, but is always quick to respond when trouble starts a-blazing in someone else's. 'Ladder 49' is the story of Jack's life as a fireman bold - the loves, the losses and, of course, the roaring flames, and all of it told in flashback as he lies battered and bruised on the floor of a burning (natch) building. Ah yes, there's no crueller a mistress than Old Madam Flame.
There's no doubt that there's some pretty spectacular special effects and stunt work going on in 'Ladder 49'. Director Jay Russell's got a substantial budget at his disposal, and it shows. But there's little else to like about a film that bombards us with schmaltz from all sides, from its incessant preaching of the firemen-are-really-brave message to the unbearably heroic
It's Got: Joaquin Phoenix falling into a burning ring of fire - he goes down, down, down, and the flames go higher.
It Needs: To stop beating the viewer over the head with its "everyday heroes" message. Firemen ARE brave - WE GET IT, OKAY?
Alternatives: Backdraft, The Towering Inferno
Summary: This blazing drama might have its characters feeling hot, hot, hot, but it left this reviewer feeling cold, cold, cold.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 22nd January 2005
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External Links
Official Web Site
Ladder 49 at the IMDB
