Alejandro Marulanda (18 June 2013)

Something is Burning

I saw this movie with two of my friends and we thought this movie wasincredible. I never expected what happened in the movie to happen, wow.Director Jay Russell, depiction of the life of a firefighter wasphenomenal. The movie stars Joaquin Phoneix, as Jack Morrison a rookiefirefighter who learns the values of what it means to be a realfirefighter. The thing I liked most about this movie is that it didn'tgo in order. (SPOILER) When Jack is trying to let down the victim fromthe window to the ladder and he falls like two stories and he starts toremember everything that lead up to that moment. I believe but I'm notsure but the Irish music in the movie was incredible. This movieactually made me kinda wanna cry. Great movie everybody must see it.

(17 June 2013)

This movie should come with a Teen Vogue magazine. It's sad.

This movie isn't even worthy of 1 star, it's complete sappy garbage. This film has no realistic or sensible characters AND NO PLOT what so ever. I'm convinced that a bunch of 16 year old girls got together and wrote the screenplay for this film... seriously, all this movie needed was a bunch of pretty ponies and a cameo by Ashley Simpson and Orlando Bloom. It's so played out! The whole "Save me Mr. Sexy Fireman and take me away to your magical floating castle in the sky" fantasy is shat out in the form of this film for all those airhead teen girls and horny soccer mom's to flick off to. I'd rent something with Hilary Duff if I wanted to subject myself to that kind of mellowdramatic tripe. Yuck! I was seriously expecting to see these guys running around shirtless in the firestation lockeroom. Someone in editing probably came to their senses and cut that out thank God! What a shame for Joaquin Phoenix! This is definatley one movie that I would want to bump off my resume if I were him. We should expect better. If you have even half a brain, an once of dignity, or ANY decent cinematic taste, avoid this movie as if it were the plague.

Megan Lehmann (02 June 2013)

Plays as if the filmmakers compiled a list of every smoke-eater cliché imaginable and then resolutely set about crossing them off.

(02 June 2013)

If you'd like to see an awful movie this one is for you!

The biggest problem with the movie is the leading actor, his name is Joaquin Phoenix or something. I can't stand him, he's like a robot that seems to have alot of trouble with showing emotion.Another thing that bothered me was the fires. I knew that this movie would've been dressed up to be more exciting, but all of the fires looked an oil refinery had blown up. I'm glad that we're trying to pay some respect to firefighters but making this movie was not the right way!

(02 June 2013)

Someone should have burned the script

I had some pretty low expectations going in to see Ladder 49, and the movie still managed to disappoint me. Ladder 49 managed to earn 2 stars, one of them for the excellent fire effects, and the other... well, I can't tell you about the other.Joaquin Phoenix is Jack Morrison, firefighter extraordinaire! The movie starts off with the burning building we've all seen in the previews, and Jack is running around inside trying to save people. In short order he finds himself separated from his buddies and wondering if he'll make it out alive. But wait! We're only 10 minutes into the movie, sounds like a good time for a flashback! That's right, this story is told via the tried-n-true "look at me in trouble and see what happened earlier in my life to get me here" method.I hate flashback movies.The other big name in this film is John Travolta who plays Captain Mike , and who does a damn fine job of it. Then, when does Travolta not do a damn fine job? Honestly, the acting in this movie is top notch with all of the actors turning in great performances. Whether they're goofing off at the station or running through a burning building, we totally buy into their characters.The real star of this movie though is the fire as this movie has the best fire-effects I've ever seen. If you want to see a big fire, forget the rating on this movie and just go see it, you won't be disappointed. It's the non-fire scenes that I have a problem with.This is not an action movie, this is a drama, and I'm ok with that. What I'm not ok with is how freakin predictable everything was. We get to see Jack on his first day as a rookie... Jack on his first fire... Jack meets a girl... Jack loses a friend... Jack has a career crises... Jack get to be a hero... blah blah blah. There are no real surprises here, as soon as you realize the movie is all a flashback you already know the main characters are never in any real danger and you're just waiting to get back to real-time. Quite annoying.If you're really into firefighters then by all means, go see this one on the big screen. If you're into a mushy plot, then go for it! If you've just GOT to see the big fire and that's the only reason you want to see the movie... then I'll point out again that you see the fire in the first 10 minutes of the movie. Think about that information and do with it what you will.Ladder 49 is one of the best 2 star movies I've seen, but it's still only 2 stars.- moviesforguys.com

(02 June 2013)

Ladder 49

I saw the film Ladder 49 skeptically and as a thing to do because there was no other movies to see that sounded good. I was amazed! It made me laugh, it made me cry, it had ups and dowsn that I never expected. It is the best movie I have ever seen!! Go see it! It will not be a waste of your money!

Jeffrey Westhoff (30 May 2013)

The film never is as inspiring as its subject matter, but it aims our thoughts toward proper contemplation.

jdavidbakr (29 May 2013)

Pleasantly surprised at how good this movie was

I grew up loving firefighter shows. I loved Emergency (it was insyndication and then my parents taped "The Greatest Rescues ofEmergency" for me and I watched it ad nauseum growing up...) so Iusually get excited about this genre.Let me first say that I'm not a John Travolta fan. But, if you areturned off at this film because of John Travolta, don't be. He'snothing more than a supporting role, and he does well enough in it.This is really Joaquin Phoenix's movie and he carries it extremelywell. This is a story about firefighters, not your typical action-stylefirefighter story. You are taken into the lives of these people, andthe result is absolutely fascinating, extremely real; there's nogarbage cluttering up the story with affairs or drugs or politicalundertones. It gives a viewer a very real empathetic experience of whatit feels like to be a firefighter. This is first and foremost acharacter study, not an action movie. As such it is well done and Ifell in love with all the major characters.The only complaint I have about this film is that the ending was alittle sappy; other than that, I loved it and recommend it to anyonewho has ever dreamed of being a firefighter.

Desson Thomson (27 May 2013)

Even the best scenes feel canned, secondhand, packaged. We've seen this all before.

(27 May 2013)

A classic

I thought this movie was excellent because it seemed to depict the real life of firefighters and the struggles they have to live with every day. They save the lives of other people and risk their own in the process. I thought John Travolta was excellent as the chief, but Joaquin Phoenix really stood out playing the firefighter Jack Morrison. He made the role and that made the movie more effective and it was a truly emotional film.

Harvey S. Karten (15 May 2013)

Makes for a fine TV special.

tabuno (15 May 2013)

By The Numbers Movie Mostly

This firemen movie has the polished appearance of Backdraft without thecompelling emotional intimacy even though the story is more compelling.Unfortunately, the realism of the movie is betrayed by just theexpensive movie photography itself. It's really difficult to believe ina more that looks like a movie. I was personally hoping for a BlairWitch Project look, a gritty, raw cinematographic experience. As forthe acting, none of the characters had depth and the emotions of theactors were only surface deep for the most part. The flashback approachactually was more irritating that stopped the chronological flow thatwould have allowed for a more seamless movie - the snippets of theimportant life of a fireman couple were taken directly out of anynumber of storybook lives. Except for the ending and the reallymesmerizing fire rescue scene before it, this movie provides nothingreally new. A decent enough movie with a stronger ending than most,this movie however fails overall to rise above the popular movie genre.Six out of Ten Stars for a solid ending (though it might have beenbetter cut a number of minutes shorter).

Rob Blackwelder (14 May 2013)

...freshness and originality weren't the highest priority for this firefighter drama focused on a post-9/11 brand of sacrificial All-American heroism.

Steven (13 May 2013)

Not enough rungs!

Starring Joaquin Phoenix and John Travolta. This testosterone filled drama tries to excite but the fire burns out quickly. Slow after the first sequence, this movie never really seems to get going. Its in the "Flashback" category for movies. Some humorous moments and some traumatic moments, but they just don't give you much time to really feel sorry for the characters. They don't get you to feel their pain. Over dramatic at times and too Hollywood this Ladder didn'thave enough rungs to make it to the top!

Fitzy (03 May 2013)

This Movie Is Right On The Money!

This was an awesome movie that is much, much more that a pyrotechnics display. It is about the lives and comradery of fireman and their families and the unselfeshness and risks they take each day on the job. Having been raised in a firefighting family I could identify with this movie. If you want to see a motion picture that, as far as I am concerned, accurately depicts the lives and risks of these fire eaters this is the movie to see. The acting and action sequences were top notch.

emjs1241 (03 May 2013)

Ladder 49 is great film

I saw Ladder 49 the other day expecting it to be a movie for all youaction loving men out there. I expected it to be action packed, a bunchof explosions, nothing great. Boy was i wrong, the movie is SO GOOD.Yes, there are explosions and action, but there is so much more thanthat. It is a deeply touching film, you grow so attached to JackMorrison's character, you feel like you know him, like you lived yourlife right with him. The movie starts with the end, and you basicallyflashback through his life as a fireman. It is an amazing movie and forall of you who hated it, i don't think we saw the same movie! Theeffects are awesome, the most realistic fire i have ever seen onscreen, and the plot isn't some dragged out story line. It is a greatmovie, but be prepared, its very, very, sad.

flowerjolly (01 May 2013)

Excellent Movie!

I really enjoyed this movie along with my children 12 and 5 years old.This movie helps put in prospective how firefighters are helpful to usin a situation we can't get out of. I voted this movie excellent. Itmade me and my 12 year old daughter cry. It helped my 5 year old knowthat if you see a man dressed in this kind of gear he's not a monster.He is someone's daddy and he's there to help. She was very into themovie and not a minute of her time was focused off the movie. I thoughtall the actors did a great job in the movie. When this movie comes outon DVD it would be my first choice to buy cause I could watch thismovie over and over with no problem. This is a realistic movie of howour firefighters today put their lives in jeopardy for us. Thanks toall the firefighters in the country.

gaalzephon (01 May 2013)

Disappointing movie...

...for those of you who were expecting a good movie because of greatactors like John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix. The plot is week andthin, everything is to forced. Maybe I was expecting to much of it butthe trailer promised to much. The way the story is told is ridiculous.I've seen it once and hated it and then I've seen it a second time cossometimes help but NO!! It was even worst. It makes no sense. I havenothing to say about the acting, it was as average as the movie. Iguess few are the actors who can act well in a bad movie. For those whowant to see a good firemen movie see Backdraft, with William Baldwinand Kurt Russel among others. It's just good with a good acting of KurtRussel (one of the few!! =) )But, like I say, you have to see it for yourself. Both of them.Cya

(23 April 2013)

Ladder 49...Amazing movie!

What an amazing story of courage! This is usually not my type of film because I really imagined it to be kind of a macho man film, but I decided to watch it with an open mind. It had everything a great movie should..humor,action,family values..wow, I am so glad I gave it a chance! It was so moving, I actually still have wet cheeks from crying my eyes out (and smiling as I think about the funny parts). It begins with a rookie just starting out in firefighting and spans over his life..I don't want to say too much so that you may get the full effect as I did. I just loved it, I cannot believe some of the reviews stating it as a two star movie. You are left taking a deep breath and gaining a brand new respect of what our firefighters go through and what really motivates them. I plan on watching this film over and over again.

(22 April 2013)

What a Great Movie

This movie is moving. Sure the plot is somewhat predictable, but, it was definatly a good movie. As a firefighter I was fairly impressed with the layout of the movie. Sure its not 100% realistic, but it did a good job of honoring the profession.