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List Price: $14.99 | | Label: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
Salesrank: 8123
Released: March 8, 2005 |
| Our Price: $4.95 |
| Used Price: $0.77 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Academy Award(R) nominated stars Joaquin Phoenix (Best Supporting Actor, GLADIATOR, 2000) and John Travolta (Best Actor, PULP FICTION, 1994) ignite the intense action in this heroic tale of ordinary men with uncommon courage! As part of a tightly knit brotherhood of skilled firefighters, Jack Morrison (Phoenix) grows from inexperienced rookie to seasoned veteran as he faces a dangerous job that makes him a hero to strangers but often shortchanges his wife (Jacinda Barrett -- THE HUMAN STAIN) and kids. Then, when he becomes trapped in the worst blaze of his career, the things Jack holds most important -- family, duty, courage -- come sharply into focus.
Description of Ladder 49 (Full Screen Edition):
In paying simple tribute to firefighters, Ladder 49 gets to the heart of those who risk their lives for a living. Director Jay Russell brought similar sincerity to his memorable family favorite My Dog Skip, and despite the banalities of an ultra-conventional screenplay by Lewis Colick, Ladder 49 generates so much goodwill toward its Baltimore firemen that you may find yourself unexpectedly overcome with emotional appreciation for guys like Jack (Joaquin Phoenix), a firefighter whose career, courtship, marriage, and fatherhood are viewed in flashback as he struggles to survive in the present-day framing scenes, cut off from his fellow firemen in the fiery guts of a collapsing 20-floor building. There are no surprises in the familiar scenes of male bonding, dangerous rescues, injury and death, and the supportive concern of Jack's wife (Jacinda Barrett), but by focusing on the simple integrity of Jack's personal and professional commitment, the movie gives Phoenix a showcase for unselfish virtue, while John Travolta provides dignified support as Jack's mentor and devoted firehouse captain. Ladder 49 is routine in most respects, but it's a much-deserved valentine to working-class heroes. --Jeff Shannon
Ladder 49 (Full Screen Edition) Reviews:
it works 
2009-02-18 - We haven't watched it complete but the image is sharp and it arrived here punctually.
ladder 49
2008-09-07 - As always I was very pleased with my movie purchase. I will continue to order all my movies from amazon. I always receive my movies in a timely manner.
Thank you amazon, liza schaafsma
Ladder 49 
2008-08-25 - My son actually is the one who loves this movie. He is bound and determined to be a firefighter and uses this movie as his practice guide. He pretty much knows the entire script and calls himself Jack Morrison when he is in the role. Great movie!
Predictable, cliche-ridden, melodrama 
2008-06-04 - What a shame that the first post-9/11 movie about firefighters is this utterly predictable, cliche-ridden, melodrama. You can see the plot twists coming at you from a mile away. Yes, we all appreciate and acknowledge the very dangerous work that our firemen do. But they deserve much better than this contrived, poorly conceived piece of propaganda. For a more realistic depiction of what it's like to live the life of a fireman, watch an episode or two of Dennis Leary's "Rescue Me".
Next time you see a firefighter say thanks
2008-05-19 - "Ladder 49" gives those of us who've never stood close to the fire a peek at the lives of those underpaid and overworked civil servants who go out every day -- and may not return.
This is primarily a strong emotional drama about the bond between brothers (and sisters) in the service, not so much an action adventure or disaster film. The story details the career of Jack (Phoenix) as he comes in a rookie Baltimore firefighter, meets his captain (Travolta), loses friends and gains a wife (Barrett).
Joaquin Phoenix is one of the strongest actors of his generation. He can depict more with a gesture or two than many other actors can with an entire soliloquy. When he puts on the coat and the turnout boots, you forget he's an actor and think he's a firefighter in peril.
WARNING: you need a box of tissues next to you while you are watching this film. It will pull on your heart and yes--make you want to thank the next firefighters you see.
Rebecca Kyle, May 2008
