Firewall, 2006

Firewall, 2006
Director:Richard Loncraine
Cast: Harrison Ford, Virginia Madsen, Paul Bettany


Stage: Home TV Selection after a long day


Firewall in short: With his family held for ransom, the head security executive for a global bank is commanded to loot his own business for millions in order to ensure his wife and children's safety. He then faces the demanding task of thwarting the kidnapper's grand scheme, which makes him look guilty of embezzlement.


Preps: I have seen this piece several times and I am aware it's a fairy good action.


Reality: The movie exposes a big problem one can face when someone kidnaps his/her personality, family, life, and how easily everything gets turned upside down. A lot of presumptions in the movie are fairly childish and make think that the director underestimated the intelligence of the spectator. Nevertheless, a solid action and a thinkthrough, how much the data on the internet is worth, who is your persona and what to do, if you have your identity stolen.

Ford here shows no difference to his other similar action movies ( The Fugitive, Patriot Games, etc). As the main protagonist, once he's in the role of the main defender of the country, other time in the role of defender of the family and he will do anything to protect them. Similar as Willis in his sagas Die Hard or copies of this one. Ford's role is unrivaled, first acts, then thinks, first feels, then acts. With a fair judgement, this is the unique role he feels at home the most.

The piece is nothing really special. Predictable, thrilling at times, and fun to see on a lovely evening. You won't get your veins filtered, but as said, a solid piece.


My personal rate: 5,5 (a good repeat to see, nothing really special, but also a fairly safe choice to go along with on a rainy day)

Firewall on IMDB