Backdraft (1991)

My Review

“Backdraft” is an action thriller film following Chicago firefighters on the trail of a serial arsonist. Director Ron Howard (“Parenthood” 1989) also put in a subplot about two feuding brothers apparently to liven things up. This seemed to work as the 137 minute running time went by quickly from a quality screenplay by Gregory Widen. Hans Zimmer was in charge of the musical score.

The all-star ensemble cast includes Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca De Mornay, Donald Sutherland, Robert De Niro, J. T. Walsh, Clint Howard, and David Crosby. The watchable “Backdraft” was a big hit at the box office for Imagine Entertainment, Trilogy Entertainment Group, and Universal Pictures. It was filmed in Chicago, Illinois, and received three Oscar nods for sound, sound effects editing, and visual effects. It was followed by a sequel “Backdraft 2” (2019). “Backdraft” also inspired an attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, which ran from 1992-2010.