Firewall

Name: Firewall
Genre: Thriller, Crime
Released: February 10, 2006
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 45
Cast: Harrison Ford, Virginia Madsen

2006

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 38 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 97 Ratings

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 97 Ratings

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Firewall

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Movie Details & Credits

Release Date: February 10, 2006 | PG-13

Starring: Harrison Ford, Virginia Madsen

Summary: A bank security expert (Ford) and his family find themselves in jeopardy when a ruthless criminal mastermind (Bettany) attempts to infiltrate the bank’s computer system.

Director: Richard Loncraine

Genre(s): Thriller, Crime

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

James Berardinelli

A thriller with enough of the right ingredients to provide a couple hours of escapism. Read full review

Michael Sragow

It's the wrestling match between the banker and the bad guy that fuels the audience's adrenaline. Read full review

David Edelstein

The director, Richard Loncraine, doesn't generate much tension in Firewall's first half...The standard-issue climax is pretty exciting, though. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

I like it for the thing it is, a reasonably solid B movie, and I like it as one in the continuum of bizarre Ford vehicles that combine high-stakes action with household horror. Read full review

William Arnold

It disrespects Seattle. Not only is this yet another filmed-in-Vancouver movie that's supposed to be set here, it takes place in a blinding rainstorm of the kind only a Hollywood rain machine can make. As we all know, it never rains like that in Seattle. Read full review

Peter Rainer

It's disconcerting to see Virginia Madsen, who was so marvelous in her 2004 comeback role in "Sideways" reduced to playing the terrified wife here. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Firewall is a witless entertainment, and a derivative one, too; it's everything listless about Hollywood in February, everything discardable about the genre in general. Read full review

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User Reviews

OriginalDanger

Mar 20, 2021

Firewall is a 2006 thriller starring Harrison Ford, Virginia Madsen, Paul Bettany and Robert Patrick..... I watched this and I've no idea what the plot was but looks like your average hostage plot and we want money gig... Nothing new here really but Harrison Ford acted well so did PaulFirewall is a 2006 thriller starring Harrison Ford, Virginia Madsen, Paul Bettany and Robert Patrick..... I watched this and I've no idea what the plot was but looks like your average hostage plot and we want money gig... Nothing new here really but Harrison Ford acted well so did Paul Bettany and it's always an honour and a privilege to see the great Robert Patrick on acting duty and Robert Patrick did good in his role. The badguys were okay even if a bit incompetent and the action scenes okay. The only negative about this movie is when the lead baguy "Bettany" died at the end and obviously we knew from the beginning Harrison Ford will again save the day especially after his family are in jeopardy but the ending killed this film for me as it was a bit too easy and not the climax you'd expect as you'd expect something better but besides that this film is flawless and perfect.… Expand

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JaredB.

Dec 17, 2007

"Firewall" gives new meaning to the term "action film." This movie did what so many others in this genre have failed to do. It kept my interest the whole two hours it ran. Richard Loncraine, who had never directed a thriller before, does an absolutely wonderful job. Harrison Ford is "Firewall" gives new meaning to the term "action film." This movie did what so many others in this genre have failed to do. It kept my interest the whole two hours it ran. Richard Loncraine, who had never directed a thriller before, does an absolutely wonderful job. Harrison Ford is incredible. Paul Bettany is one of the creepiest bad guys I've seen in the movies for a long time. My only problem is that the other robbers were, for the most part, too silly to be taken seriously. If you are in the mood for an edge-of-your-seat movie, rent "Firewall" and get ready for a wild ride.… Expand

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Guy!

Jun 13, 2007

Smart, violent, and completely thrilling from start to finish. Sadly though, I think this was Harrison Fords' last stand in the cinema. He never ceased to amaze us, did he? Nonetheless, his skill and performance was too good to describe.

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MarkB.

Jun 27, 2006

Proving once again Ecclesiastes' claim that there's nothing new under the sun, this passable but forgettable actioner plays like a techno-geek update of one of Humphrey Bogart's last films, the 1955 thriller The Desperate Hours, in which Bogey and his gang of criminals hold Proving once again Ecclesiastes' claim that there's nothing new under the sun, this passable but forgettable actioner plays like a techno-geek update of one of Humphrey Bogart's last films, the 1955 thriller The Desperate Hours, in which Bogey and his gang of criminals hold an all-American family hostage in their home. This time out, Harrison Ford plays Fredric March's old role of the desperate but intrepid father, but the stakes have definitely been raised: ruthless Paul Bettany wants Ford to use his computer skills to drain money from the bank Ford's an executive at so Bettany can donate millions and millions to the Salvation Army. (Just kidding.) One of Desperate Hours' most pungent throwaway moments came when the understandably stressed March, who was forced to continue going to his office as though nothing were going on at home, is asked by an observant co-employee if he's all right and if there's anything he can do, and March snaps, "You can mind your own business!" Such behavior, while understandable under the circumsatances, is nevertheless unpleasant to watch, and one of the main problems with Firewall is that Ford is forced to behave this way ALL MOVIE LONG. Despite this and an acutely been-there-done-that final confrontation that belies the intriguing technological hooks that precede it, this manages to be surprisingly watchable in light of all the Adventures In Unwatchability that Ford has bludgeoned us innocent moviegoers with over the past few years: What Lies Beneath, K:19 The Widowmaker, Sabrina, Hollywood Homicide and the spew-inducing Random Hearts. (Hell, in comparison to the last three, Firewall is Raiders of the Lost Ark and Witness combined!) The energetic music score by Alexandre Desplat, which often makes the movie seem more exciting than it is, helps a bit; a really appealing supporting performance by MaryLynn Rajskub (who constantly makes her arrogant character on TV's 24 surprisingly sympathetic and fun to watch) helps even more. Given how she's frequently treated in this film, both the character and the actress deserve a promotion and raise--and quick!… Expand

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StuartG

Mar 1, 2008

Ford will die in this role but he's what keeps the often hard- to- swallow story plodding forward-- at times it is suspenseful. Technology is the other familiar character (no nomination here however).

1 of 1 users found this helpful

JeffL.

Mar 17, 2006

[***SPOILERS***] Security expert Harrison Ford is targeted by criminals (led by a cooly effective Paul Bettany) who threaten to kill his family (including wife Virginia Madsen) unless he helps them rob the very bank he has spent the last twenty years of his career protecting. Ho-hum [***SPOILERS***] Security expert Harrison Ford is targeted by criminals (led by a cooly effective Paul Bettany) who threaten to kill his family (including wife Virginia Madsen) unless he helps them rob the very bank he has spent the last twenty years of his career protecting. Ho-hum thriller nearly gets by on the strength of its admittedly intriguing premise. Problem is, for all the film's fixation on technology (cell phones, iPods, and even a pet-tracking device all play important roles), the plotting is all too rote and familiar. It's also pretty hard to get too excited over scenes of Ford hunched over a computer, crunching numbers and hacking codes, no matter how much the generic suspense music swells on the soundtrack. Director Richard Loncraine, who directed Ian McKellen's brilliant Richard III in better days, stages the action competently but without much surprise. Ford, craggy of face and more desperately in need of Indy IV than ever, does little to correct the career slide that started nearly a decade ago. If there's a genuine silver lining here, she goes by the name of Mary Lynn Rajskub. This cute, offbeat character actress (she was in Sweet Home Alabama and Legally Blonde 2, and plays Chloe O' Brian on TV's 24) is terrific as Ford's faithful and beleagured secretary, and Loncraine is wise to give her a fairly generous amount of screen time. That's more than can be said of veterans Robert Forster and Alan Arkin, two terrific actors given little of interest to do here.… Expand

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EdwardV.

Jun 11, 2006

The worst movie Harrison Ford has ever starred in. A total , boring, contrived waste of time. Never been so disappointed. It started out as a mundane thriller, and just turned stupid about halfway through. All emotion was way overplayed, as if something interesting or exciting was The worst movie Harrison Ford has ever starred in. A total , boring, contrived waste of time. Never been so disappointed. It started out as a mundane thriller, and just turned stupid about halfway through. All emotion was way overplayed, as if something interesting or exciting was happening. Ford's presence alone couldn't save this useless flop of a movie.… Expand

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