– Customer review on 05/06/2009

what a great movie. Clever in its story telling and in the way Phoenix's and Travolta's characters are portrayed in their relationship. Reminiscent of Backdraft, and the camaraderie of fire fighters and the toll on all involved for the good of the community. Good work to those who risk their lives and their families, and thanks.

– Customer review on 09/03/2007

Ladder 49 a five star movie, about a firefighter from Baltimore named Jack Morrison, climbing ranks, This movie stays away from action and sticks more to the live of the characters and the drama of their lives, a little boring in some parts but I feel as this movie moves on in time it will be an absolute classic in everyones minds.

– Customer review on 19/01/2007

I really enjoyed Ladder 49. It is inspiring and encouraging and a really nice simple love story. I also like the way they used the dream sequence to tell the story. Travolta and Phoenix in one movie, what more could you want. And play firemen. Hot stuff, but also a very good movie, will not disappoint. It has a very Nickleback - Far Away video feel to it.

– Customer review on 06/01/2007

This is a simple story. It's about the brave firefighters in the Baltimore Fire Department. John Travolta is cast as the chief. Joaquin Phoenix is cast as the young fireman. Jacinda Barrett is cast as the young fireman's wife. The film spans a period of 10 years. During this time we see the young couple meet, marry and have some very cute children. We watch the time-worn clich about how the wife worries about the husband and wants him to stop his dangerous life. Naturally, he doesn't change though and he just gets braver and braver. There's a lot of camaraderie and good-natured horseplay among the men. But they all respect each other and it's a tight-knit group. Eventually, our hero is trapped in a burning building with no way out. The plot is predictable. And the acting is adequate.

But this film is more than just about the plot. It is about the fires. And I must say I sat in that theater absolutely transfixed as I was thrust into what looked like the reality of it all. I've seen other films and also have read about fires. But this film brought me right there. I was inside all the burning buildings depicted in the film. I might not have felt the actual heat of the fires, but I did feel their unpredictability and the randomness in which tragedy can occur. I also have nothing but admiration for the work that firefighters do, especially when they have to actually go into the buildings when everyone else is rushing out. I don't know how the special effects were done and I don't really care. But I admire the filmmakers for bringing to the screen this story what the job of a firefighter is all about.

– Customer review on 22/11/2006

A terrible blaze traps a firefighter (Joaquin Phoenix) in a Baltimore building. As his co-workers (led by chief John Travolta) try to figure out a way to help him escape, Phoenix thinks about the last 10 years of his life. Through those years of fighting fires he experienced triumph (meeting and marrying the love of his life, Jacinda Barrett) and also living through several tragedies (deaths and injuries to fellow firemen). "Ladder 49" is comparable to a legendary athlete, it is not always great but it is great when it has to be. The movie has many shortcomings. There are dead spots galore and watching firefighters getting drunk in wild bars and playing silly pranks on one another do not always put them in a favorable light. However, the film's final act is excellent as we learn what Phoenix's fate is. In many ways an homage to those brave individuals in New York who sacrificed all during the terrorist attacks of 9-11 and also a deceptively smart character study. Travolta is excellent and Phoenix is nearly as good. Members of the supporting cast all have their moments and by the end "Ladder 49" climbed high enough for me.

– Customer review on 31/10/2006

The movie has many shortcomings. There are dead spots galore and watching firefighters getting drunk in wild bars and playing silly pranks on one another do not always put them in a favorable light. However, the film's final act is excellent as we learn what Phoenix's character's fate is. It does really seem to ham on the homage to the firefighters of 9-11 but that's just American patriotism in movies.

– Customer review on 29/10/2006

ladder 49 is a really toching movie. if you are a fan of any of the actors in here, such as john travolta then you should check out teh film, all of the perfomances are great. the story is fantastic and it is sure to touch you. ladder 49 is an overall great movie and all must make time to watch it, check this movie out.

– Customer review on 23/10/2006

This was an ok movie, i didnt like the way it flashed forward and backwards as it made the story hard to follow, it had a really good idea but i felt it was just done really badly, i wouldnt say its great, wouldnt say its bad, ill just give it an ok

– Customer review on 18/10/2006

I liked it. At first I was a little confussed then I realised he was drifting in and out of conciousness and having dreams about his life. John Travolta as a fireman...OHH YUMMY. It kind reminds me now of the music video for Nickelback's Far Away...

– Customer review on 04/10/2006

i quite liked this film, the ending was really sad. the whole movie was properly abit to dramatic for my likings but aprt from that it was pretty good. would have to give it a seven out of ten becuase i have to admit it did leave me feeling slighty depressesd afterwords lol