Director:
Richard Loncraine

Cast:
Harrison Ford
Paul Bettany
Virginia Madsen
Mary Lynn Rajskub

Official URL:

http://www.firewallmovie.com

Country: USA
Rating: PG-13
Studio Name: Warner Bros.
Running Time: 2 hr 0 mins
Release Date: February 10, 2006

Critics's Rating:
(2 1/2 out of 4 Reels) 

February 10, 2006

By Veronica Mixon

The title -- FIREWALL -- is a dead give away in the computer age thriller about a bank security officer, Jack Stanfield (Harrison Ford) whose job is to protect the bank from internet thieves. Ford, best known for his starring roles in Air Force One, Clear and Present Danger, and the Indiana Jones series, is older, grumpier but still charismatic in the lead. But, despite the 21st Century technology, this is a play-it-by-the-numbers thriller with few surprises. Jack must match wits with a sleek European, Bill Cox (Paul Bettany) whose real mission is to embezzle millions of dollars and leave no witnesses. While Cox and his gang hold Jack and his family hostage, unfortunately, they are few days too late for their plan to work because the bank has just merged with a larger bank and all of its protocols have been changed. Cox steps up his pressure on Jack by nearly killing his young son. So, Jack must find a way into the bank’s new security system while he’s constantly watched by his captor. Naturally, Jack turns the table on the crooks and puts the safety of his family first.

Frankly, I adore Harrison Ford and I applaud him for continuing to make action thrillers. At 63, Ford is still more interesting than a number of younger action stars in films. I only wish that some smart director would utilize Ford’s legendary petulance and incorporate it in an intelligent thriller. The last time that happened was in Ford’s star turn in the big screen adaptation of the 1960s television series, The Fugitive.

Firewall has a wonderful cast who are largely under utilized. We don’t see enough of Robert Forster, as Jack’s friend; Alan Arkin as the bank’s president; Robert Patrick (Walk the Line) as the bank’s new head of security and young Carly Schroeder as Jack’s surly teenage daughter who gains a new respect for her father. Oscar winning actress, Virginia Madsen (Sideways) earns a studio paycheck as the devoted wife but she should continue her fine work in indie films where women’s roles are much, more meaty. Ford and Bettany’s (Master and Commander: the Farside of the World) physical and mental sparing is interesting. Bettany is an icy cool villian. The initial kidnapping set up is intriguing but the plot is very ordinary. The one true gem is Mary Lynn Rajskub, Jack’s spunky secretary who plays the cantankerous computer expert on the hit TV show, 24.

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