Backdraft 2

I grew up in the 90s so the original Backdraft was a staple in my childhood film viewings. When I saw they were making a direct to dvd/digital sequel I groaned and couldn't believe it. But I gave this one a chance and it's not that bad if you do exactly that. Obviously the cast in this one doesn't have the same chemistry from the original film but if you nitpick and compare every detail you are going to hate it no matter what. Donald Sutherland essentially caries this film with his role. Joe Anderson and William Baldwin are both clearly putting effort in and I give them credit. Right now this is on Netflix in the US so I say give it a shot.

I didn't have high expectations for this sequel but the fact that William Baldwin and Donald Sutherland played a role gave me some hope. It didn't take more than a few scenes to dash it.

The story is overly predictable and most characters are so flat that you only notice them because they fill some space. Dialogues sound a copy and paste from a sub-par police procedural show.

The acting of the main character(s) is decent and the camerawork is probably the best this movie has to offer.

There is worse but when all is said and done, this is nothing more than a low-budget, boring sequel to a decent 1990s movie!

This film is interesting to me because it's the first time I watch a film about arson investigation. I think it is suspenseful. I enjoyed it.

Chicago Fire Department arson investigator Sean McCaffrey (Joe Anderson) is the son of the late Lieutenant Stephen "Bull" McCaffrey (Kurt Russell in the first movie). His uncle Brian McCaffrey (William Baldwin) is the Deputy District Chief of the Office of Fire Investigation. Lone wolf Sean is assigned new partner Maggie Rening (Alisha Bailey). Ronald Bartel (Donald Sutherland) is an old arsonist in prison.

The fire special effects are a big part of the first movie. In this one, they are using bad CGI with the fire scenes. Some scenes are bad. One is good. Obviously, this is a cheaper production and they can't afford top of the line special effects. As for the actors, Joe Anderson seems to be a fine second tier actor. I don't know why Billy Baldwin isn't the lead. He could be the grizzled old veteran which suits the premise of getting stuck with a newbie. Donald Sutherland has limited screen time. The investigation is just too slow. They do need a mystery figure for Sean to chase. I'm not really following the fire stuff. This is not good.

I enjoyed the movie didn't expect it to grab my attention cause im a vintage person i love the first backdraft it did creep me out a little to see how much william baldwin looks alot like alec these days lol....donald's character just as creepy as ever works thou and sean's past haunts him to a point but all around not terrible to watch i loved the references to the first one throughout ignore all the lame asses that cant grasp at what they filmed if you loved the first one give this on a try and ignore all the others and watch it for yourself!