Backdraft
1991, R, 132 min.
Directed by Ron Howard, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Kurt Russell, Alec Baldwin, Robert De Niro, Scott Glenn, Rebecca Demornay.

Absolutely marvelous special effects are the salvation and the curse of this movie. The film exploits Chicago’s terrain of ethnic neighborhoods, political turf, and glorious modern architecture, but it has trouble when it comes in close to the personal level. The intention here seems to be to question the roots of heroism and its expression. While we may shift impatiently in our seats as the story line veers away from any interesting conflict, we sit up and pay attention when our heroes leap aboard the engines to battle a blaze.

**   

This article appears in May 24 • 1991 (Cover).

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