As a teen, I remember watching this on video rental in 1985, the bulky size of the cassette and its box, the iconic Warner Bros Home Video print.....damn, I can still smell these plastic boxes lol.
This is one of the greatest spy films ever made. The realism of sneaking around in Russia was for real! Several actors did a phenomenal job in this film. The special affects were state of the art. It was the first film I bought on Laser Disk. This film is so good.
@johnashton4776 Problem is, the physics in book 2 was not any where near possible for that jet. It could not have ever taken off from under water. That was stupid.
The infiltration is the aspect of the film I found most endearing. Spycraft, intrigue, lives sacrificed to change the geo-political balance. That's the stuff of John LeCarre and Gorkey Park.
The first hour of this film was fine. I enjoyed how he went undercover using a few identities in Russia to get to the plane and the pace of it was fine. It shows how stressful it was and how difficult it was to get to that plane. Also, It's interesting to me how Clint Eastwood films always have a Fisk fight in them, haha. Overall, they both liked it and that's cool. It was a good movie.
One of Clint Eastwood's underrated projects in my opinion way better than Honkytonk Man because that was too sad of a movie for me this was a great action thriller thanks for uploading this Jason Bagherian.
I liked this movie. I'm glad to see these two greats review it. Gene makes a good point about that 1st hour of the film, but I always thought it was necessary to tell the story. Clint was good in this flick.
What would've made it far better is if they interspliced Gant's infiltration with scenes of the plane being tested, especially in mock combat against other MIGs. That would've made the movie's first two thirds a lot less boring..
Firefox and Blue Thunder both have similar plot lines-1. A Vietnam vet suffering P.T.S.D. 2. In both films the hero steals a futuristic flying machine. 3. The hero uncovers corruption.
I like the intricately crafted miniature work displayed in the chase scene. It's the kind of thing that would now be done mostly with computers, but model work like this can be very effective, too, because it looks like something that was actually there, and not just an illustration as some CG even now continues to have the appearance of.
One the best movies from Mr.EastwWood. Loved the infiltration scenes and the great ending. You get that sense of relief when the plane is in the air. Excellent movie.
Did Gene Siskel suggest that Thermo nuclear war was should have been an on the table response for the Russians here. Not even the good ol USSR was that nuts.
While I agree with Siskel's criticisms, I enjoyed the movie because I enjoyed all of the moving parts: hero's one last mission, spy thriller, Death Star dogfight, and Ice Station Zebra. Yes, it's a pot pourri of tropes, but Eastwood made the journey fun for me.
My parents took me and my brothers to the drive in to see it that summer, and we all liked it. I still do today. But it's not a great movie, so I understand how one like yourself might not be a fan at first. But it does seem to stand up well, doesn't it. Again, not great. But a good one.
I AGREE with you. Hollywood does not make these type of movies no more. I call them popcorn thrillers. A thrillers that are good or decent enough to not finish your tub of popcorn.
As tedious as the first half of the movie can be, it does effectively inform you of what is at stake and why certain Russians would be willing to help him accomplish his mission.
The film follows the book very closely. If you had read the book, the film would be exactly what you expected. On the other hand, if all you knew about it was what you saw in the trailer, you may have been disappointed. ( there is a sequel to the book which is also worth reading, "Firefox Down")
I don't get the criticism of the length it takes to get to the plane. It's really a story about infiltration, heist AND escape. Who cares about the escape if we aren't shown the difficulty of the other parts of the story and what the stakes are for everybody.
They both got it wrong, it's a great movie and like others who have posted, I too have watched it many times and will continue to do so - and I think that's a sign of a movie that is truly great, it has high "rewatch value".
i never liked siskle and ebert reviews, but i loved the footage they were allowed to show. listening to reviewers is like listening to preists, they think their words are high and mighty, but really they are just showing what they can't comprehend or refuse to acknowledge for things they have never actually done, but pretend to be professional expert critics of how it is in real life. " an hour of sneaking around " obviously the man has never robbed a bank let alone stolen a piece of candy from the grocery store, nor 'borrowed' his dads best porno mag.
Definitely a great spy film 🎥 As for the build up Come on S&E half the story is getting to the plane ✈️ He’s supposed to just walk in and take off lol One of my favorite movies from growing up
Siskel was the worst film reviewer ever. He had no patience, didn't understand sub-plots, and just didn't get story telling, build up of character, tension. Absolute muppet he was.
If you made the movie today they would have stole the jet in the first 30 minutes. Firefox is a spy thriller and action movie. It takes over an hour infiltrating the Russian security apparatus before they are able to see and steal the jet. That is good cinema.
I can explain why the Soviets didn't shoot out the tires. Those are not really rubber tires. On aircraft like this, they would likely be using metal tires that are quite hollow, to cut down on weight. The SR-71 has those. Shooting those wouldn't do much to the tire.
Ah, the 1980's... when the superior Soviet military technology was either being stolen by the West ( as in this movie) or being stolen by the Soviets so they could give it to the West ( The Hunt For Red October). That would be a great double feature at a drive-in!
The computer launch systems are certainly possible. Even then there was technology to aim weapons with eye and head movements (i.e. the Apache), so today they could definitely use voice commands and maybe thought probes inside the helmet. What's almost certainly impossible is the ability to fly at transonic speeds at such low altitudes.
I specifically remember that I was young boy and I remember the scene where Clint goes into the train station and he is in the rest room and they keep coming in asking for his "papers" he ended up killing two guys in there and I was like how the hell is he getting out of this. The suspense was real. The pressure of them asking for your papers was real. It was true spy craft.
I hate the scene on the Viet Nam War when they kill People but Viets crushed Americans down in reality.Gant was traumatized by seeing this girl killed on fire. I don't like the Special effects very much in the end though I like the pursuit but how was there another MiG-31 jet piloted by Kai Wulff ?whilst Gant stole the only one . Music is good,when Gant beats KGB up in the toilets and first time he sees the jet,music is mysterious,thrilling and futuristic at the time. Based on Cold War session ,fight between West and East ,its One of the Best early 80s Movies and especially 1982 And I ...just love the Super Sonic plane ,its inspiring for engineers and also Artists.
Heh. John Dykstra did the special effects. They were cheesy and not up to his regular standards. Quentin Tarantino agrees with me on that. He stood in line for the opening of this film in Hollywood and was really let down. His review of Firefox is also on RUclips. I actually felt the spy drama part, which is most of the film was pretty good. Film went totally in the toilet after Clint took off, and the music was corny as Hell. Most reviews, of which Tarantino read some examples shredded this movie, too.
I really wanted to see Firefox when it first came out but missed it. Just watched it for the first time. Great special effects but very weak script, slow moving and padded, definitely a two-star movie.
And then what? It already took an hour just to get to this point. And you want him to get captured and tossed into prison? Exciting end to the movie there.
I agree with Siskel. The film goes from two extremes. Two thirds of it is slow and plodding, but then the last third is fast and ultra exciting. Within a few minutes it goes from a giant snooze fest to one of the best films in the history of movies!
You clearly have the attention span of a gnat and don't understand cinematic storytelling and tension.build.up and the fact is they had to show how difficult it was to steal the plane to make the last part of the film so much more glorious
Love this movie .... but 20 minutes could have easily been trimmed to make this film even more exciting .... those KGB scenes were boring ..... "your papers are not in order your papers are not in order" ..... yeah I get it ..... authoritarian governments are a pain in the a$$
If you know anything about Siskel, you'll understand why he criticizes the movie. ALL the stuff that comes before the plane takes off is what makes the movie great. After he's in the air, the low IQ viewers are subsequently appeased.
That's not fair. Yes, the first hour and change are the absolute strength of the movie. Fantastic stuff. But criticizing people for enjoying the end and taking a shot at their intelligence doesn't seem right to me. The plane and what it can do is just fantastic. It was the necessary cathartic moments after the stress of the "spy vs. spy" build-up. Cheers.
I disagree completely. There are plenty of films that get right on to the pilot shit with no setup. This is a Cold War film that plays well for both the Spook fans and the fighter-jock fans. And they for damned sure should have made Firefox Down to follow-up on it!
Кино
![MAF Teeski - Whole Thing (feat. VonOff1700) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/SHWEj-ndz6g/mqdefault.jpg)
I don't care if critics dislike the movie. I enjoyed it multiple times. But it's got Clint Eastwood in it, and Clint is fabulous.
As a teen, I remember watching this on video rental in 1985, the bulky size of the cassette and its box, the iconic Warner Bros Home Video print.....damn, I can still smell these plastic boxes lol.
So can I. Great stuff, man. Cheers.
I still have it on the original VHS Warner tape.
This is one of the greatest spy films ever made. The realism of sneaking around in Russia was for real! Several actors did a phenomenal job in this film. The special affects were state of the art. It was the first film I bought on Laser Disk. This film is so good.
Agreed
Agree
Agreed
Read both books would like to see both turned into a two part franchise, if only this could happen have the same plane updated and then Firefox down.
@johnashton4776 Problem is, the physics in book 2 was not any where near possible for that jet. It could not have ever taken off from under water. That was stupid.
I have to be honest I am a huge fan of this movie, I think I must have watched it at least 100 times in my life. I still love it and Clint Eastwood!
The infiltration is the aspect of the film I found most endearing. Spycraft, intrigue, lives sacrificed to change the geo-political balance. That's the stuff of John LeCarre and Gorkey Park.
I Miss These Guys, May They R.I.P.
The first hour of this film was fine. I enjoyed how he went undercover using a few identities in Russia to get to the plane and the pace of it was fine. It shows how stressful it was and how difficult it was to get to that plane. Also, It's interesting to me how Clint Eastwood films always have a Fisk fight in them, haha.
Overall, they both liked it and that's cool. It was a good movie.
My brother and I saw this in the theater when we were kids. Great fun!
One of Clint Eastwood's underrated projects in my opinion way better than Honkytonk Man because that was too sad of a movie for me this was a great action thriller thanks for uploading this Jason Bagherian.
I remember watching this review on PBS, and I remember watching this movie in the theater when I was 12. They don't show this on TV anymore
😔
I liked this movie. I'm glad to see these two greats review it. Gene makes a good point about that 1st hour of the film, but I always thought it was necessary to tell the story. Clint was good in this flick.
What would've made it far better is if they interspliced Gant's infiltration with scenes of the plane being tested, especially in mock combat against other MIGs. That would've made the movie's first two thirds a lot less boring..
Firefox and Blue Thunder both have similar plot lines-1. A Vietnam vet suffering P.T.S.D. 2. In both films the hero steals a futuristic flying machine. 3. The hero uncovers corruption.
I like the intricately crafted miniature work displayed in the chase scene. It's the kind of thing that would now be done mostly with computers, but model work like this can be very effective, too, because it looks like something that was actually there, and not just an illustration as some CG even now continues to have the appearance of.
I've always wished that they would have made the sequel novel into a film as well.
One the best movies from Mr.EastwWood. Loved the infiltration scenes and the great ending. You get that sense of relief when the plane is in the air. Excellent movie.
Did Gene Siskel suggest that Thermo nuclear war was should have been an on the table response for the Russians here. Not even the good ol USSR was that nuts.
While I agree with Siskel's criticisms, I enjoyed the movie because I enjoyed all of the moving parts: hero's one last mission, spy thriller, Death Star dogfight, and Ice Station Zebra. Yes, it's a pot pourri of tropes, but Eastwood made the journey fun for me.
So you actually don't agree with siskel's criticisms
I wasn't a fan of this movie when came out summer 82. But as I got older I enjoyed it much better now.
My parents took me and my brothers to the drive in to see it that summer, and we all liked it. I still do today. But it's not a great movie, so I understand how one like yourself might not be a fan at first. But it does seem to stand up well, doesn't it. Again, not great. But a good one.
@@jackkitchen737 I agree with you
I AGREE with you. Hollywood does not make these type of movies no more. I call them popcorn thrillers. A thrillers that are good or decent enough to not finish your tub of popcorn.
I feel the same way. Guess I had to mature a bit to appreciate it.
I've looked for this review for years.....thank you for posting! I remember Roger liked it......but I couldn't remember what Gene thought.
Glad you enjoyed it
Miss these guys.
As tedious as the first half of the movie can be, it does effectively inform you of what is at stake and why certain Russians would be willing to help him accomplish his mission.
I love this movie, and the Atari laserdisc game.
The film follows the book very closely. If you had read the book, the film would be exactly what you expected. On the other hand, if all you knew about it was what you saw in the trailer, you may have been disappointed.
( there is a sequel to the book which is also worth reading, "Firefox Down")
These were to ONLY two movie critics I’ve ever listened to & trusted...
I don't get the criticism of the length it takes to get to the plane. It's really a story about infiltration, heist AND escape. Who cares about the escape if we aren't shown the difficulty of the other parts of the story and what the stakes are for everybody.
They both got it wrong, it's a great movie and like others who have posted, I too have watched it many times and will continue to do so - and I think that's a sign of a movie that is truly great, it has high "rewatch value".
It does labour a little, but enjoyed this movie and watched it over and over.
This is my favorite Client Eastwood Movie ... REALLY FUN WATCHING :D!!!
There was a second book, called Firefox Down, which was a best seller. Great book that should have been made into a sequel.
I’ve said it before. They should remaster this movie/ improve the flight sequences and re release it.
i never liked siskle and ebert reviews, but i loved the footage they were allowed to show. listening to reviewers is like listening to preists, they think their words are high and mighty, but really they are just showing what they can't comprehend or refuse to acknowledge for things they have never actually done, but pretend to be professional expert critics of how it is in real life.
" an hour of sneaking around " obviously the man has never robbed a bank let alone stolen a piece of candy from the grocery store, nor 'borrowed' his dads best porno mag.
Great movie one of Clint Eastwood's best, every movie the critics dislike is always good,and these two guys have no idea what they are talking about.
I've always loved this film. If someone could calm down the matt lines on the effects this would still hold up.
Great movie - some critics are just disconnected...
I loved this film when I was 12 and I love it now ❤️
日本では
『ロシア語で考えろ』
というセリフが流行しました。
This movie takes a good while to get going.
Definitely a great spy film 🎥
As for the build up
Come on S&E half the story is getting to the plane ✈️
He’s supposed to just walk in and take off lol
One of my favorite movies from growing up
Clint Eastwood did two semi science fiction films-Firefox and Space Cowboys.
I'm with Roger on this one! It was awesome.
They used actual door gunner footage for that clip..
Siskel was the worst film reviewer ever. He had no patience, didn't understand sub-plots, and just didn't get story telling, build up of character, tension. Absolute muppet he was.
If you made the movie today they would have stole the jet in the first 30 minutes. Firefox is a spy thriller and action movie. It takes over an hour infiltrating the Russian security apparatus before they are able to see and steal the jet. That is good cinema.
This movie was AWESOME!!!
I can explain why the Soviets didn't shoot out the tires. Those are not really rubber tires. On aircraft like this, they would likely be using metal tires that are quite hollow, to cut down on weight. The SR-71 has those. Shooting those wouldn't do much to the tire.
I've seen parts of this movie.
Ah, the 1980's... when the superior Soviet military technology was either being stolen by the West ( as in this movie) or being stolen by the Soviets so they could give it to the West ( The Hunt For Red October). That would be a great double feature at a drive-in!
I watch this movie here in México back in 1982 when i was a kid,US figther Pilot Michael grant,dam Russian!!!
I wonder if the technology of this plane was ahead of present day military jets.
@BattleAngelFan
A....I. ...
The computer launch systems are certainly possible. Even then there was technology to aim weapons with eye and head movements (i.e. the Apache), so today they could definitely use voice commands and maybe thought probes inside the helmet. What's almost certainly impossible is the ability to fly at transonic speeds at such low altitudes.
I bet you Clint wasn't really flying that plane.
I specifically remember that I was young boy and I remember the scene where Clint goes into the train station and he is in the rest room and they keep coming in asking for his "papers" he ended up killing two guys in there and I was like how the hell is he getting out of this. The suspense was real. The pressure of them asking for your papers was real. It was true spy craft.
Eastwood loves himself more than any actor loved himself ever, and that's not a good thing for the movies
I hate the scene on the Viet Nam War when they kill People but Viets crushed Americans down in reality.Gant was traumatized by seeing this girl killed on fire.
I don't like the Special effects very much in the end though I like the pursuit but how was there another MiG-31 jet piloted by Kai Wulff ?whilst Gant stole the only one .
Music is good,when Gant beats KGB up in the toilets and first time he sees the jet,music is mysterious,thrilling and futuristic at the time.
Based on Cold War session ,fight between West and East ,its One of the Best early 80s Movies and especially 1982
And I ...just love the Super Sonic plane ,its inspiring for engineers and also Artists.
The second Mig was in the hangar and only suffered some very minor damage during the fire & explosion diversion. This is mentioned in the dialogue.
Anyone remember the Firefox arcade game?
Heh. John Dykstra did the special effects. They were cheesy and not up to his regular standards. Quentin Tarantino agrees with me on that. He stood in line for the opening of this film in Hollywood and was really let down. His review of Firefox is also on RUclips. I actually felt the spy drama part, which is most of the film was pretty good. Film went totally in the toilet after Clint took off, and the music was corny as Hell. Most reviews, of which Tarantino read some examples shredded this movie, too.
Do This Movie Like 1960s Star Trek Series with New CGI.
I really wanted to see Firefox when it first came out but missed it. Just watched it for the first time. Great special effects but very weak script, slow moving and padded, definitely a two-star movie.
Exactly - Shoot the tyres, that's just what I said.
And then what? It already took an hour just to get to this point. And you want him to get captured and tossed into prison? Exciting end to the movie there.
I agree with Siskel. The film goes from two extremes. Two thirds of it is slow and plodding, but then the last third is fast and ultra exciting. Within a few minutes it goes from a giant snooze fest to one of the best films in the history of movies!
You clearly have the attention span of a gnat and don't understand cinematic storytelling and tension.build.up and the fact is they had to show how difficult it was to steal the plane to make the last part of the film so much more glorious
firefox gets a yes from me
Love this movie .... but 20 minutes could have easily been trimmed to make this film even more exciting .... those KGB scenes were boring ..... "your papers are not in order your papers are not in order" ..... yeah I get it ..... authoritarian governments are a pain in the a$$
Never agreed with these two on anything I thought they were horrible movie reviewers.
Influenced a G.I. Joe toy
If you know anything about Siskel, you'll understand why he criticizes the movie. ALL the stuff that comes before the plane takes off is what makes the movie great. After he's in the air, the low IQ viewers are subsequently appeased.
That's not fair. Yes, the first hour and change are the absolute strength of the movie. Fantastic stuff. But criticizing people for enjoying the end and taking a shot at their intelligence doesn't seem right to me. The plane and what it can do is just fantastic. It was the necessary cathartic moments after the stress of the "spy vs. spy" build-up. Cheers.
@@jeremiahleathart8696 I don't deal in fairness per se. I focus on being honest, which can be too blunt for many.
Actually not a good movie. It should have been great, it just wasn’t.
I disagree completely. There are plenty of films that get right on to the pilot shit with no setup. This is a Cold War film that plays well for both the Spook fans and the fighter-jock fans.
And they for damned sure should have made Firefox Down to follow-up on it!