Fire with Fire (2012 film)

Last updated
Fire with Fire
Fire with Fire FilmPoster.jpeg
Promotional poster
Directed by David Barrett
Written byTom O'Connor
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyChristopher Probst
Edited byPaul Harb
Music by Trevor Morris
Production
companies
Distributed by Lionsgate
Release date
  • November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06) [1]
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$2,500,277 [2]

Fire with Fire is a 2012 American action thriller film directed by David Barrett starring Josh Duhamel, Bruce Willis, Vincent D'Onofrio and Rosario Dawson. Duhamel plays a firefighter forced to confront a neo-Nazi murderer. The film was released direct-to-video on DVD and Blu-ray on November 6, 2012.

Contents

Plot

Following a grueling day of work, Long Beach, California firefighter Jeremy Thomas Coleman and his coworkers contemplate ending the day with a case of 15-year-old Scotch whisky. Jeremy enters a convenience store to buy snacks, but is interrupted by David Hagan, an Aryan Brotherhood crime boss. He accuses the store owner of refusing to sell his store which Hagan wants to further his criminal enterprise. The store owner says he buys protection from the Eastside Crips and the store is in their territory so it wouldn't be useful for Hagan's purposes.

Hagan kills the store owner's son and then the store owner. Jeremy narrowly escapes, however was shot in the leg by one of Hagan’s men. Police detective Mike Cella, whose former partner was murdered by Hagan while they pursued him in a different case, sees an opportunity to finally bring Hagan to justice. Hagan is detained and put into a police lineup. Hagan, sure that Jeremy is behind the two-way mirror, recites Jeremy's full name, address and Social Security number.

Before the trial, Jeremy agrees to enter the witness protection program, and changes his last name to Douglas. He leaves the fire department and is moved to New Orleans. Although Jeremy finds it difficult to cope with the loss of his career, he finds consolation in his budding romance with Talia Durham, a Deputy United States Marshal assigned to his case. Jeremy and Talia find their lives in jeopardy when two of Hagan's hitmen ambush them; though Talia is wounded, Jeremy mortally wounds one man, forcing them to retreat. Hagan calls Jeremy, threatening to kill everyone he loves whether he testifies or not. Jeremy vows to kill Hagan first and abandons the witness protection program. Later, Hagan's attorney, Harold Gethers, arranges for him to be released from prison in the weeks leading up to the trial.

Jeremy returns home to Long Beach, where he seeks out the Eastside Crips to buy an untraceable weapon. Jeremy stakes out one of Hagan's hiding places and kills three of his men, while Hagan is beating nearly to death Jeremy’s friend and fellow firefighter with a baseball bat. Jeremy leaves behind partial fingerprint but the police can not identify him because his identity is protected by his WITSEC status. Cella figures out that Jeremy is behind the deaths, but is conflicted due to his own hatred for Hagan. Jeremy grows bolder. He identifies the location of one of Hagan's buildings and tortures one of Hagan's men, who directs him to Gethers. Gethers, who only works for Hagan out of fear, gives Jeremy the location of an abandoned building where Hagan will be that night.

Talia arrives at Long Beach and tries to convince Jeremy to abandon his plan. Jeremy locks Talia in the bathroom and gets away, but Hagan's hitman arrives soon after and kidnaps Talia. That night, Jeremy, using his firefighting knowledge, sets ablaze the building where Hagan and his men are meeting, killing Hagan's men. When Jeremy realizes Talia is also in the building, he puts on his fireman's suit and enters the building to rescue her. Talia manages to break free of her bonds and kills Hagan's hitman in revenge as he attempts to flee the blaze. Jeremy runs into Hagan inside the burning building and, after a struggle, Talia kills Hagan. Jeremy leaves the building with Talia. In the aftermath, Cella, while conversing with the district attorney, states that no evidence was left behind at the burnt building to charge anyone with the deaths of Hagan and his men. Cella is seen putting away a photo of him and his old partner.

Cast

Release

Fire with Fire was released direct-to-video in the United States on November 6, 2012. [1] As of November 11, 2022, Fire with Fire grossed $2,500,277 in the United Arab Emirates, Italy, South Africa, Portugal, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. [2] It also made $2,360,170 in domestic sales on home video. [3]

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, reports that 7% of 14 surveyed critics gave the film a positive review; the average rating was 3.3/10. [4] Mark Adams of Screen Daily wrote that it is a misfire with a story that is "more silly than exciting". [5] Tom Huddleston of Time Out London rated it 3/5 stars and called it "a sturdy, unambitious but thoroughly watchable action thriller." [6] Nathan Rabin of The A.V. Club wrote that it "could be a lot worse" and "is cheesy but moderately effective." [7] Paul Bradshaw of Total Film rated it 3/5 stars and called it a "daft, generic revenger". [8] Olly Richards of Empire rated it 1/5 stars and wrote, "Avoid like the plague. The nasty Bubonic kind." [9] Henry Barnes of The Guardian rated it 1/5 stars and called it too violent and clichéd. [10] Tyler Foster of DVD Talk rated it 3.5/5 stars and said that it gives its demographic exactly what they want but no more. [11] Gordon Sullivan of DVD Verdict called it a clichéd, mediocre B movie. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Backdraft</i> (film) 1991 action thriller film by Ron Howard

Backdraft is a 1991 American action thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen. The film stars Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca De Mornay, Donald Sutherland, Robert De Niro, Jason Gedrick, and J. T. Walsh, and follows Chicago firefighters on the trail of a serial arsonist.

<i>The 6th Day</i> 2000 film directed by Roger Spottiswoode

The 6th Day is a 2000 American science fiction action film directed by Roger Spottiswoode and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tony Goldwyn, Michael Rapaport, Michael Rooker, Sarah Wynter, and Robert Duvall. In the film, a family man of the future is illegally cloned by accident as part of a vast conspiracy involving a shady billionaire businessman, and is thrust into a struggle to clear his name and protect his family from the conspirators who seek to keep the cloning a secret. The title refers to the Judeo-Christian Genesis creation narrative, where God created mankind on the sixth day. The film was Terry Crews' acting debut.

<i>Ladder 49</i> 2004 American film

Ladder 49 is a 2004 American disaster thriller film directed by Jay Russell and written by Lewis Colick. The film follows Baltimore firefighter Jack Morrison, who is trapped inside a warehouse fire, and his recollection of the events that got him to that point. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix and John Travolta, and was released on October 1, 2004. It received mixed reviews and grossed $102 million worldwide.

<i>From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangmans Daughter</i> 1999 horror film

From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter is a 1999 American Western horror film directed by P. J. Pesce. It serves as a prequel to the 1996 film From Dusk till Dawn. It was released directly to video and was nominated at the 26th Saturn Awards for "Best Home Video Release". In late 2010, the production of a fourth film in the series was discussed, but, as of August 2012, further work on this possibility has not been revealed. In late 2013, a TV series began production.

<i>Chaos</i> (2005 action film) Film by Tony Giglio

Chaos is a 2005 action thriller film starring Jason Statham, Ryan Phillippe and Wesley Snipes, and written and directed by Tony Giglio. The film premiered in the United Arab Emirates on December 15, 2005, but did not receive a North American release until over two years later, where it was distributed direct-to-DVD on February 19, 2008.

<i>Intruder</i> (1989 film) 1989 American slasher film by Scott Spiegel

Intruder is a 1989 American slasher film written and directed by Scott Spiegel, and co-written and produced by Lawrence Bender. It received positive reviews from critics, with particular praise given for its unique setting of a grocery store for a slasher film.

<i>Crawlspace</i> (1986 film) 1986 film by David Schmoeller

Crawlspace is a 1986 American horror thriller film starring Klaus Kinski as Karl Guenther, the crazed son of a Nazi doctor obsessed with trapping young women and slowly torturing them to death, alongside Talia Balsam, Barbara Whinnery, and Tané McClure. It is written and directed by David Schmoeller, and later became infamous due to the on-set conflicts between Schmoeller and Kinski, with claims that producer Roberto Bessi attempted to have Kinski murdered due to his continued hostility towards the crew.

<i>The White Reindeer</i> 1952 film

The White Reindeer is a 1952 Finnish folk horror film directed by Erik Blomberg in his feature film debut. Blomberg wrote the screenplay with his wife Mirjami Kuosmanen, who also stars in the lead role. Based on pre-Christian Finnish mythology and Sami shamanism, the film is set in the Finnish Lapland and centers on a young woman, Pirita (Kuosmanen).

<i>The Vampire Diaries</i> 2009 American supernatural teen drama television series

The Vampire Diaries is an American supernatural teen drama television series developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, based on the book series of the same name written by L. J. Smith. The series premiered on The CW on September 10, 2009, and concluded on March 10, 2017, having aired 171 episodes over eight seasons.

<i>Freelancers</i> (film) 2012 American film

Freelancers is a 2012 American action film directed by Jessy Terrero, written by L.Philippe Casseus and stars 50 Cent, Forest Whitaker, and Robert De Niro. It had a limited release in very few in Los Angeles and New York on August 10, 2012 with a simultaneous VOD release and was released on DVD and Blu-ray on August 21, 2012.

<i>Ace Attorney</i> (film) 2012 film

Ace Attorney is a 2012 Japanese legal comedy-drama film, directed by Takashi Miike and based on the Capcom video game Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. The film stars Hiroki Narimiya, Mirei Kiritani, and Takumi Saitoh. In the film, rookie defense attorney Phoenix Wright takes on a series of court cases, culminating in one that pits him against Manfred von Karma, a prosecutor who has remained undefeated throughout his forty-year career.

<i>The Dead</i> (2010 film) 2010 film

The Dead is a 2010 British zombie film produced by Indelible Productions and Latitude Films. It was written and directed by the Ford brothers and stars Rob Freeman, Prince David Osei, and David Dontoh.

<i>Batman: The Dark Knight Returns</i> (film) 2012 two-part animated film directed by Jay Oliva

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is a two-part direct-to-video adult animated superhero film, an adaptation of the 1986 comic book The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller and is set in the same continuity as Batman: Year One. It was directed by Jay Oliva, who worked as a storyboard artist on Man of Steel, Under the Red Hood, Year One and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Several other Batman veterans were also involved in the film. Part 1 was released on September 25, 2012, and Part 2 was released on January 29, 2013. A deluxe edition combining both films was released on October 8, 2013. Part 1 is the 15th film, and Part 2 is the 16th film, of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies.

<i>Empire State</i> (2013 film) 2013 American film

Empire State is a 2013 American crime drama film centered on two childhood friends who rob an armored car repository and the NYPD officer who stands in their way. Directed by Dito Montiel and starring Liam Hemsworth, Emma Roberts and Dwayne Johnson, the film was released straight to DVD and Blu-ray on September 3, 2013. It is based on the true story of the 1983 Sentry Armored Car Courier Company theft.

<i>Parts per Billion</i> 2014 American film

Parts per Billion is a 2014 romantic drama written and directed by Brian Horiuchi. It stars an ensemble cast comprising Frank Langella, Gena Rowlands, Rosario Dawson, Penn Badgley, Teresa Palmer, and Josh Hartnett as three loosely connected couples who must deal with a looming biological attack.

<i>Planes: Fire & Rescue</i> 2014 American Disneytoon film

Planes: Fire & Rescue is a 2014 American animated comedy-adventure film produced by Disneytoon Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Bobs Gannaway, written by Gannaway and Jeffrey M. Howard, and produced by Ferrell Barron, it is a sequel to Planes (2013) and a spin-off of Pixar's Cars franchise. Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Danny Mann, and Cedric the Entertainer reprised their roles with new additions to the cast including Hal Holbrook, Julie Bowen, Ed Harris, Regina King, Wes Studi, Patrick Warburton, and Dale Dye. In the film, Dusty Crophopper (Cook) is assigned to become a wildland firefighting plane in Piston Peak National Park after he learns that his engine's gearbox is damaged.

<i>Scenic Route</i> (film) 2013 American film

Scenic Route, also known in the UK as Wrecked, is a 2013 American psychological thriller film written by Kyle Killen, directed by Kevin and Michael Goetz, and starring Josh Duhamel and Dan Fogler. The film premiered at the 2013 South by Southwest Film Festival and was released on August 23, 2013.

<i>Batman: Bad Blood</i> 2016 animated superhero film directed by Jay Oliva

Batman: Bad Blood is a 2016 American animated superhero film which is the 25th film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies and the sixth film in the DC Animated Movie Universe. It serves as a sequel to the 2015 film Batman vs. Robin. The film was released on January 20, 2016 for iTunes and the Google Play Store, and on DVD and Blu-ray on February 2. While not a direct adaptation of a particular storyline, it derived from Grant Morrison's run on Batman, primarily the Leviathan story arcs.

<i>Burn</i> (2012 film) Film by Tom Putnam and Brenna Sanchez

BURN: One Year on the Frontlines of the Battle to Save Detroit is a 2012 American documentary film, produced and directed by Tom Putnam and Brenna Sanchez. It focuses on Engine Company 50 of the Detroit Fire Department, and the city of Detroit as it faces an economic collapse and rising arson and fire rates. The film was executive produced by Denis Leary and Jim Serpico through their production company, Apostle, as well as Steve Tihanyi and Morgan Neville.

<i>Batman: The Long Halloween</i> (film) 2021 American film

Batman: The Long Halloween is a 2021 American two-part animated direct-to-video superhero film produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, based on the DC Comics storyline of the same name. Part 1 is the 43rd film, and Part 2 is the 44th film, of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies, with both parts serving as the third and fourth installments of the Tomorrowverse. The film is directed by Chris Palmer and stars the voices of Jensen Ackles, Josh Duhamel and Naya Rivera in her final film. The film is dedicated to Rivera following her death the year prior. In both parts of the film, Batman attempts to unravel the mystery of murders committed on holidays throughout the year, and uncover the true identity of the serial killer Holiday.

References

  1. 1 2 Schou, Solvej (2012-09-24). "'Fire With Fire' trailer: Josh Duhamel strips down, shoots guns with Rosario Dawson". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  2. 1 2 "Fire with Fire". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  3. "Fire with Fire". The Numbers . Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  4. "Fire with Fire". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  5. Adams, Mark (2013-03-06). "Fire with Fire". Screen Daily . Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  6. Huddleston, Tom (2013-03-06). "Fire With Fire (15)". Time Out London . Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  7. Rabin, Nathan (2012-12-04). "The 50 Cent-produced Fire With Fire could be a lot worse". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  8. Bradshaw, Paul (2013-03-07). "Fire with Fire". Total Film . Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  9. Richards, Olly. "Fire with Fire". Empire . Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  10. Barnes, Henry (2013-03-07). "Fire with Fire – review". The Guardian . Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  11. Foster, Tyler (2012-11-06). "Fire With Fire (2012) (Blu-ray)". DVD Talk . Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  12. Sullivan, Gordon (2012-11-28). "Fire with Fire (Blu-ray)". DVD Verdict . Archived from the original on 2013-03-08. Retrieved 2013-12-16.