Blown Away (1994)

On at the same time as Speed, in the good ol year of 94, here's another exciting actioner, better for the fact, (although we can't deny Speed was an adrenaline pump filled ride of such electric intensity) we actually see with great insight, how these bomb disposal boys work. It's one stressful job, and when you have a terrorist bomb operating mastermind, who's not your usual pain in the arse bomber, it becomes a real nightmare. Tommy Lee Jones gives another great performance, like the one in Under Siege, where he worked his magic in that role. Here he plays another nutter but Irish, and the accent I must admit didn't come off that well, tried and phoney, but it's the performance you'll remember when you think about this movie. Bridges, plays Jimmy Dove, head of the bomb squad, where we too share the good times away from work, but some tragic moments too (one involving his good friend- Jeff Bridges Senior who can't be diffused in times. The smarts of Jones's character is intensely scary, as this is a terrorist not played for a fool, and knows everything about bombs, and how to use them to kill innocents. Bridges makes one remark- refer movie title, regarding what happens to men, who stay in the bomb disposal business. There are extremely intense moments that are gold, ones which involve diffusing, and watching Jones, who's waged a war against Bridges's character, you would of figured him for someone showing a lot of anger but Macready (Jones) it's in held, where we really don't know what move he'll make, or where he'll spring up next. One quick zoom in shot on Macready, played against U2'S song "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" I must say paints an ambiguous and exciting picture of his character. Why Blown Away is better than a lot of others is we just don't watch the characters, we share their lives, away from this suicidal choice of employment, and really get to know them. The climax in a near two hour film is intense, some sweat will be pouring of your brow, and when you two great actors like Bridges, me an avid fan of him, and Jones it's makes the experience even more enjoyable and absorbing, which this film is. For lovers of Speed. A fine psychological terrorist actioner, though very darkly shot, very much Arlington Roadish.