Ladder 49 Reviews

[resqteacher]

I thought I would be the first to put this out there gang. Without giving the entire plot and storyline away - who has seen Ladder 49 and what did you think? Better than Backdraft? (hard not to be)?

And while I'm on the topic of reviews - who has seen Rescue Me (on Showcase 10 p.m. Tuesdays), and what did you think?

I'm off to see Ladder 49 tonight and will chime in on that question this weekend.

I've seen a few episodes of Rescue Me while working in the US and caught the season premiere on Showcase this week and it is awesome!. Denis Leary is a master at sarcasm and this show isn't as much about fighting fires, although there are some good ones (and realistic too), but its about the characters on your department and how everyone deals with stress and emotions differently. It has already been renewed for a second season and the first isn't even half over.

If for no other reason, check it out in support of Denis Leary and all that he has done for the fire service with the Denis Leary Firefighters Foundation. He's good people!

[wilderness]

I saw RESCUE ME for the first time this week, overall i think the show has its good points, just one big brother and sister hood..Being we are out in the sticks Ladder 49 will be one week away.... shut up ALPHA....... anyway i do give thumbs up on RESCUE ME.... and i hope LADDER 49 is real........

[resqteacher]

Saw it on Friday night. It was really, really good. I'm not going to tell you what it's about for fear of giving something away. You can always get more info at Ladder49.com anyway.
What I will tell you is that the way it is shot makes everything feel very realistic. The camera techniques and angles make you feel like you're an observer in each scene.

I'll only say this - and it's especially relevant with the "First Call" Thread we have going here - Take a look at how they shoot Joaquin Phoenix's first call from his perspective and see how it compare to what was going through your mind on yours.

Better than Backdraft? Certainly more realistic and fewer plot lines to follow. The actually wear their BA's when they're in a fire! Shocking I know.
In short - it kinda makes Backdraft look silly - even if you didn't already hold that opinion.

I recommend it to all. Make sure your wives bring some kleenex. I even had something in my eye a few times. Must have been allergies!!!!!

[Red_Devil]

Well i too eventually got out to see it and it wasnt to bad, backdraft had more of a story to it, backdraft let you get into more of the science of fires, where this movie was just based on the character. Ladder 49 is an alright movie but i think it was pretty CHEESE. For instance the scene where he saves the kid from the room that flashes on him, give me a break lol. The other thing that sucks is they should start using newer trucks instead of still using the ones from backdraft in the movie.

[LFD_FF17]

is it just me or does red devil always have negative things to say?

who cares what kind of trucks they have in the movie? Id rather see the real firefighters have the new trucks instead of the ones they use in a movie.

I saw the movie and i thought it was awesome. best movie i ever saw

[Brando]

Saw Ladder 49 lastnight. It was better than I thought it would be. The fire scenes were pretty damn good. Travolta was real good again. Definately recommend this movie.

[Red_Devil]

hey i thought the movie wasnt very good at all, it was pretty cheese, didnt live up to all the hype for me, it was a crappy ending as well, not something the wife wanted to see, needless to say i give it 2 thumbs down! and yes i do have a right to express my comments on here,

[wilderness]

WA wa WA wa WA bla bla bla get over it, its a movie, its one aspect of firefighting from one prospective view, We know what the job requires to be done, and we do it........ you want a real firefighting movie, take the two brothers that were at the New York fire house when the World Trade Towers got hit .....that is the closest you will ever come to seeing what these guys go thru........

[Red_Devil]

my ponit exactly, ITS JUST A MOVIE!!!!! and it was pretty crappy

[wilderness]

[Quincy]

Red_Devil, you seem to be some crabby man that likes to ruin everyones enthusiasiam with your negative comments.

I don't now if you're full time or a volly firefighter.

I don't know how many years of service you have under our belt, I've got 4 years as volly.

It sucks having a negative attitude like ours over the sack of a movie and TV show.

Firefighters and fire trucks have been part of my growing up as a kid and is in my blood since I've been in diapers. I love the job.
Everytime my pager goes off it tells me somebody needs my help.

Instead of chirpping with negative replies, answer with positive or instructive comments or don't bother answering.

I've gone and checked out LADDER 49 over the weekend, is was awesome as far as production and special effects are concern.

The story line was different, but there is a reason for the existance of movies. You can never produce a movie the same as it is on the job.

The one thing that the movie teaches us is that the job is not all guts and glory.

Death is part of the job and also part of life.

We should be thankfull that we're all home right know.

[Red_Devil]

my opinion is the movie didnt live up the hype so i thought it blew, im not telling anyone to not go, im just stating my opinion, dont you guys get it! this is what forums are for.

Yes death is a part of life, by what the movie tries to do is capitalize on the whole 9/11 thing and if you ask any firefighter fulltime or whatever they dont do the job for that. We are not superheros 24/7 and model citizens at home as on the job. Just a little over orchestrated for me.

I been doing is job for just shy of 20yrs my friend so i do think i have the right to express my old guys vetern opinion.

If you dont enjoy my comments then dont read my replies to the forum.

[bcfire]

HEY RED DEVIL.YOU POSTED ON SEPT 24 2004 STATING THAT YOU GOT HIRED RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL (SEE GENERAL CHAT-HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU?). YOU ALSO STATED THAT YOU WERE 23 AND THAT WAS 4 YEARS AGO. HOW DID YOU GET 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME?
I GATHER THAT YOU'RE WITH TORONTO FULL-TIME PAID. ALSO I DOUBT THAT YOU HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE WITH VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS. OUR FIRES BURN JUST AS HOT AS YOURS, OUR MVA'S ARE JUST AS SERIOUS AND OUR VICTIMS ARE HURT JUST AS BAD. WE WILL RECOGNIZE YOU AS A "PROFESSIONAL" WHEN YOUR ATTITUDE ATTAINS IT. DON'T ASK THE VOLUNTEERS TO STOP OPENING POSTS ON THEIR SECTION OF THIS SITE-SIMPLY STICK TO THE OTHER STUFF UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING POSITIVE TO CONTRIBUTE.
I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL CANADIAN FIREFIGHTER'S MEMORIAL SERVICE IN OTTAWA LAST SEPTEMBER. EVERY FIREFIGHTER I MET, BOTH PAID AND VOLLEY WERE TRUE PROFESSIONALS, ITS AN ATTITUDE NOT AUTOMATIC BECAUSE OF A PAYCHECK. YOU'LL GET THERE DUDE!

[five_alarm]

People disagree, this is the nature of humans, and the nature of text is that it is cold and expressionless and that can often result in something sounding a lot more offensive than was initially intended. If anyone feels that someone is being exceptionally offensive, please let us know, otherwise ignoring someone goes a lot further. This is a free service for exchanging information between Canadian firefighting and rescue personnel, we don't need our team divided over trivial bickering.

[FireEMTGuy]

Good call bcfire! Thanks for pointing that out!

Anyways back on topic I am planning on going to see the movie this weekend. I believe I will enjoy it as it is a FICTIONAL movie, everyone here knows that, everyone here lives the real thing, give the movie a break and see it as purely entertainment.



:cool:

[FireEMTGuy]

Originally posted by Red_Devil


.....by what the movie tries to do is capitalize on the whole 9/11 thing and if you ask any firefighter fulltime or whatever they dont do the job for that. We are not superheros 24/7 and model citizens at home as on the job. Just a little over orchestrated for me.



Very easy to put the basis for this movies development on 9/11. Were backdraft or Trapped on the 37th floor based on such events? No, they were not.

[Brando]

Red Devil just got OWNED! :)

[JGallagher]

I am ashamed to say that I have yet to see it!! I am a bad bad Fire Fighter!!:( :D ;)

[bcfire]

SORRY FALSE ALARM, I DON'T FIND RED DEVIL "EXCEPTIONALLY OFFENSIVE" I JUST COULDN'T TAKE THE POSTURING ANY LONGER
WITHOUT RESPONDING.
I HAVEN'T SEEN LADDER 49 YET EITHER BUT I INTEND TO.
TAKE CARE, BCFIRE

[telesquirt]

Hey bcfire don't sweat it.----I think we should all remember that there are a lot of people surfing the web who like to be something they are not----you never know who you may be arguing with!---:eek:

[bestcoast]

Further to telesquirt's comment's, your caps lock button is broken I think.....;)

[WFD999]

Hey FireEMTGuy, is that sandwhich or snack size:D

[LFD_FF17]

i saw ladder 49 the night it came out so i dont remember it like it was yesterday but i cannot remember them saying one thing about 9-11 so i dont see how they are using 9-11 to their advantage. I think if 9-11 didnt happen the movie would have been made still, i know that actually because it was written before 9/11. It was also set in New York and they moved it to Baltimore after 9/11 so i dont see how they are exploiting 9/11.

Firefighterkid

[scoop422]

I saw it last night and thought it was great. I went for entertainment NOT realism and I wasn't disappointed. I normally don't like Travolta but I thought he was good too.

[JGallagher]

I saw it last night. I thought it was pretty good. It brought a tear to my eyes. I was there with my friend and she said that she did not want me to go to any more calls. She got worried about me!!

[bcfire]

Originally posted by bestcoast
Further to telesquirt's comment's, your caps lock button is broken I think.....;)

SORRY BESTCOAST, I AM NO TYPIST, SO IT TAKES TOO LONG TO MESS AROUND WITH THE SHIFT KEY. BESIDES WHEN YOU GET TO BE MY AGE YOU NEED THE CAPS TO SEE WHAT YOU ARE WRITING.
Take Care, BCFIRE
PS MY BRO-IN-LAW A CAPT ON OTTAWA FD ARRIVED FOR A WEEK OF R N R WE WILL LIKELY TAKE IN LADDER 49 TOMORROW!
HAVE A GOOD THANKSGIVING ALL!

[bcfire]

SAW LADDER 49 TODAY, I LIKED IT FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT ASPECT ALTHOUGH IT DID MAKE MY MASCARA RUN AT ONE POINT!
GOOD SPECIAL EFFECTS AND PHOTOGRAPHY. IT'S A STORY THATS BEEN DONE MANY TIMES BEFORE BUT WHAT THEME HASN'T?
I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO HAVE TO MAKE THE CALL TO PULL OUT WITH A BROTHER STILL INSIDE, OR TO LOSE A FELLOW FIREFIGHTER AT A CALL.
TAKE CARE, BCFIRE
HEY BESTCOAST, CAN YOU GET A RIG LIKE A SPELLCHECKER THAT PUTS POSTS IN REG TYPE? IF SO I'LL GET YA ONE FOR CHRISTMAS.LOL

[LFD_FF17]

i have a question about a scene in ladder 49 the part where he lowers the guy into the basket of the aerial isnt real is it? like would they actually do that?

im not a firefighter so i dont know

firefighterkid

[FireEMTGuy]

I also saw ladder 49 this past weekend.

I don't think it depected the Fire Service as accurately as possible.... As with all movies there were some flaws but overall it was alright... like bcfire said some good photography and effects...

The PASS was kinda quiet but if they had it like it would really sound then they couldn't have any more dialouge.. :D

I feel it was more of a "renter" and more of a love story with the occasional fire scene put in for entertainment.

I don't see why they wouldn't lower him into the basket, saves lowering 100 more feet to the ground where any number of things could go wrong. Using the jacket like they did on the ledge was kind of stupid IMO though, there are actual devices meant for that. Good thing they used dynamic rope!

2/5 stars.:D

[fireice]

I saw it on the weekend with my wife. It scared her and there were some tears. But in true coping form, we had changed the subject and some jokes rolling on the way home to forget about it.

As for the content of the movie, I thought it was more worthwhile to watch than Backdraft. There was a limited amount of smoke again, but who wants to sit in a theater and stare at black? They tried to simulate "confusion" with the camera during a search and rescue operation. There are bound to be different procedures from the movie to your department, but the one thing that sticks in my mind is the rope rescues. I don't think our department would do any of the rope rescues the way that they did them, but maybe that's just us.

I'd see it again.

Cheers.

[WFD999]

Saw it on last sunday. Great entertainment value. There was even a element of realism in it. I could relate to the comments on Jacks first call at the intersection directed and the civy driver. And the complait department sign was a classic. Go see and enjoy.

[BillyBlazes]

Ladder 49

Great movie at showing a big city fire department operation. Jokes in the station are like us on duty! The coat over the ledge to protect the rope for the rescue has been in our SOG on using what is available to protect a rope or hose going over a sharp corner.
The rope rescue from the side of the building similiar to a rescue performed a few years back by rescue squad on FDNY.
The wife's reaction when he comes home after the rescue and sees him on the news is so true!
The end was good for a wife to see, but this kind of things happens. Remember Worcester, Mass. 6 firefighters died in a warehouse fire and had to be left and the rescue effort was stopped. Chiefs almost came to blows trying to prevent firefighters from entering the building.

[Sparky2004]

AAWWW!
I haven't seen Ladder 49 yet,...not fair!! Now I know too much already by reading this thread!! My bad,.......:mad:

[Red_Devil]

save your 12.00 bucks or whatever it is, and wait for it to come out in the rental stores

[bestcoast]

Broke down and saw it last night with a buddy from work. We made a deal to make no comment's through out the show and take it for what it is. A Hollywood production of the fire service. Maybe should have waited for it on DVD but it was better than Backdraft. After all, if they made a movie that was true to life the only people that would pay to go see it would be Firefighters and you ain't making any money off Firefighters!!! It had to appeal to the general public in order to make $$$. Just my 2 cent's....Peace out.....

[Serpico]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by firefighterkid
[B]i have a question about a scene in ladder 49 the part where he lowers the guy into the basket of the aerial isnt real is it? like would they actually do that?

im not a firefighter so i dont know

Probably not without tying off to something a little more secure that just using a rescue "8" on a safety belt, especially for a two person load.

Rope/rescue team member

[bcfire]

Originally posted by Red_Devil I been doing is job for just shy of 20yrs my friend so i do think i have the right to express my old guys vetern opinion.

If you dont enjoy my comments then dont read my replies to the forum. [/B]

[Scuba]

hahahahahahaha. That was funny to read RD get caught in his tale of.....

So RD.....is it 4 or 20 or are we using some formula to figure it out? like a cat's life RD's years = 1 to 5......so being that it's a new year he's up to 25 years expernience now :rolleyes:

So on to a more interesting subject.......

A month left till L49's is out on DVD ~ I'll actually be able to see it :D

($12 bucks +++ to see a movie just doesn't jive with my idea's on how to waste money....)

[JGallagher]

I cant wait for the DVD. I will be sure to buy that!! I am trying to find back draft as well.

[Toxic]

I saw it on opening weekend and loved it. Some stuff was a little much but her it's Hollywood.

I also enjoyed Backdraft though. Backdraft was pretty far fetched but everyone here seems to have forgotten the scene on the hosebed...you know THE scene...with Jennifer Jason Leigh. That 2 minutes of hollywood is what got me into firefighting...:D One day I'll get the wife up there...LOL:p

[DFCSmash]

Originally posted by Toxic
[Beveryone here seems to have forgotten the scene on the hosebed...you know THE scene...with Jennifer Jason Leigh. That 2 minutes of hollywood is what got me into firefighting...:D One day I'll get the wife up there...LOL:p [/B]

Uh Toxic.:confused: Not if she ever reads these forums you won't.:D :D :D

If you'd saved that and not shared it with us, you might have had a shot, but now...... :D

BTW, I enjoyed Backdraft. It was a fun movie. It could even be used as a training aid: DON'T EVER LET ME SEE YOU DO ANYTHING RESEMBLING ANY OF THAT AT AN INCIDENT!!!! :D

It's Hollywood. Following the Premiere, Ron Howard was trying to guage what the audience thought of the film. They were milling about outside the theatre when a fire engine went by lights flashing and siren blaring enroute to a call. The entire crowd broke into cheers and applause on the sidewalk. So the public, even if they don't see what it's really like, gained a certain appreciation for the challenges and dangers of the task we perform. That was of course pre 9/11, but you won't convince me that Backdraft, even with all of its flaws didn't influence the public's opinion of firefighting in a positive fashion. 9/11 cemented it. My .02

I haven't seen Ladder 49 yet, so at this point I'll just wait for the DVD release.:rolleyes:

:cool:

[mutts252]

much belated in my posting on this one...

saw the movie opening night... for the most part, it was really good. you have to give the poetic license to hollywood in a lot of cases, because otherwise it just wouldn't be a marketable movie.

couple technical details that kinda bothered me:
- NOBODY talks that clearly through an SCBA mask (but hey otherwise you couldn't hear the dialogue... so i'm ok with this one)
- nobody should be taking their mask off to give air to a victim in the middle of a fire... (not joaquin pheonix, the other guy)
- a lot of people seem to forget their balaclavas in that movie
- PASS alarms are waaaaay louder than they show... but again it would drown every other damn thing out, so it's ok ;)
- why in god's name did they let him go alone to look for the other victim?! ... ah well, woulda ruined the plot. :p

[Red_Devil]

RELAX its just a movie!!!

[Kearley]

One aspect I really liked about the movie. It was a good old fashioned Shakespearian Tragedy. You know the kind you used to read in school?
It fits the profile. You have your tragic hero: Jack. From the very start he defined his death. It was right there, a fistfull of errors which spelled his fate. But the show wasn't about his death in the end. It's dangled over the whole movie, and their goal is to make the viewer want the tragic hero to live... but you know he can't. I think it even beats Hamlet for length of death scene.
But I think this is a view much overlooked by many high priced critics. The movie sets someone's death at the start, and by the end you wish it weren't true what you alreaddy know.

[Leafs Fan]

Sorry didn't like it.
Thought Backdraft was better, And I didn't really like it either.

For really good entertainment give me "EMERGENCY" with Johnny Gage and Roy Desoto any day.

[FFWannabe]

Funny, I just bought this today while I was stalking up on more "i'm sick as hell" supplies. I really liked the movie.. as I watched it for a second time, I realized it was the personal moments I really enjoyed and the comradare; the story itself. As a buddy of mine here who reviewed the movie for the local paper said (he's been a fire fighter for 23 years), there's a hell of a lot more smoke, there's a hell of a lot more protocol, but the rest was pretty damn real! It IS Hollywood after all!

Sue :)

[five_alarm]

Being the biggest-name movie of the week in DVDs does not make Ladder 49 the best of the new home entertainment titles on the shelves. Director Jay Russell's search-and-rescue thriller, which stars Joaquin Phoenix and John Travolta, is a mediocrity dressed up as a homage to true-life heroes.

The film's story pays tribute to the selfless courage of firefighters. They and their families deserve to have a dramatic action picture show the complexities inherent in their lives -- too bad it had to be this one.

Source: Winnipeg Sun (http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/WinnipegSun/Spotlight/2005/03/11/957131-sun.html)

[bcfire]

Funny, I just bought this today while I was stalking up on more "i'm sick as hell" supplies. I really liked the movie.. as I watched it for a second time, I realized it was the personal moments I really enjoyed and the comradare; the story itself. As a buddy of mine here who reviewed the movie for the local paper said (he's been a fire fighter for 23 years), there's a hell of a lot more smoke, there's a hell of a lot more protocol, but the rest was pretty damn real! It IS Hollywood after all!

Sue :)
I agree Sue, good entertainment, thats all! BCFIRE

[mutts252]

RD:

for the most part, it was really good. you have to give the poetic license to hollywood in a lot of cases, because otherwise it just wouldn't be a marketable movie.
i know it's just a movie and all that jazz... hell i really liked it! but being on a FF forum and all... i just had to point out the 'little things' that i noticed/bothered me a bit.

i'm sure there's way more stuff in there that i either a) didn't notice (hey im only 20, and a VFF in the summers... i've got LOTS to learn)... or b) just couldn't think of off the top of my head.

as i said... i liked the movie... and give hollywood top marks for doing what was, for the most part, a pretty good portrayal of things. after all... they got the important stuff right: the camaraderie, the brotherhood aspect of it all, and the never-let-your-buddy-down feeling we all have. :) that's what matters in the end... the public would never notice a lack of balaclavas in one scene or another, or raise their eyebrows at people emerging unscathed from a flashover. it showed (accurately) the important stuff... 'nuff said. cheers. :)

[FLASHOVER05]

I saw the movie on opening day and thought it was amazing and very well put together... I bought the movie last week and gave it some thought... there were way too many reasons why this movie was gimicky... Even I know that you would Never... Ever leave your partners side... Brave? I think it was stupid.... Oh... and I thought backdraft was stupid... The idea of how careless and reckless those FF's were was idiotic... I thought the casting was decent

[FFWannabe]

I saw the movie on opening day and thought it was amazing and very well put together... I bought the movie last week and gave it some thought... there were way too many reasons why this movie was gimicky... Even I know that you would Never... Ever leave your partners side... Brave? I think it was stupid.... Oh... and I thought backdraft was stupid... The idea of how careless and reckless those FF's were was idiotic... I thought the casting was decent

Flashover, you know, that's funny, because I thought the same thing. I watched it in the theatre and I was just stunned, the end killed me, I found it very emotional and exciting. I bought it, watched it at home, and found it to be a good movie, with a couple of obvious special effects, but I still really liked the camaraderie and emotional aspect of the movie... it has to offer you something along those lines to keep you interested, right?

I think that's the big difference between the big screen and your living room boob tube, I guess!!

Sue :)

[iamvff]

I thought it was 1000 times better than Backdraft....BD was so phoney it wasn't even the least bit interesting! L49 I thought only had 1 or 2 parts that did not seem right, but for the most part I thought that the producers must have done a fair amount of homework. The most disappointing part was the ending....you spend all of that time digging through a brick wall, just to curl up in a corner and die....nope..not me. If I am going to go...it aint going to be lying on the floor waiting. If a person is willing to feel the pain of burning to try and kill themselves....I sure as hell would chance the pain of burning to try and live!

Just my nickle and a half worth,
be safe
iamvff :)

[FFWannabe]

If a person is willing to feel the pain of burning to try and kill themselves....I sure as hell would chance the pain of burning to try and live!
iamvff :)

Well said Melita Man!!!

Sue :)

[FLASHOVER05]

Anyone who watched Backdraft remember the part when (the Baldwin brother who isn't Alec) went into his first fire and saw the flame spiral around as he stood almost helpless.... I think that the fire was laughing at him almost as much As I was.....

[Kearley]

Umm.... he wouldn't burn to death... the CO would get him way before. Researchers have actually found this to be a huge problem with firefighter. FF develope a tolerance to CO poisoning like a tolerance to alcohol. But just like alcohol, sure you might not get drunk, but you'll still die with the same consumption as always. So experienced FF can go a lot longer in smoke and CO; but will still die at the same exposure. Where did I read that? I wish I could referance to you guys.

[FFWannabe]

Well, I just watched the Special Features on the DVD. The Real Heroes section (I think that's what it was called) was really good, they showed a bit of a medals ceremony, I found that just as much a tear jerker actually.
The deleted scenes were interesting. They touched on drinking with Ray after his brother dies, apparently there was to be another captain after Johnny T gets promoted, they cut him right out.. lol.. they did touch on 9-11 as well. I'm glad it wasn't a part of the movie because that might have been a little hokey.. but the scene was well done.. I wish I could remember the exact quote, but one of the wives said something like, "the only thanks you get is a good funeral" (or maybe it was the only good you get.. something like that). It was actually a pretty powerful scene, in my opinion, but the 9-11 reference would have been overkill.

Just thought I'd let you know.. if you're inclined to spend $23.83 at Walmart, it's worth it!

Sue :)