Heaven's Fire,
directed by David Warry-Smith
(Shavick Entertainment, 1999)


If you enjoy inferno movies, Heaven's Fire is a sure-to-please choice. It has some really nice special effects, especially when the fires are nearing each other and flames are rolling down hallways. The helicopter explosion is awesome also. Right off, let me state that I really like the camera work in this film.

Here's the plot with the list of subplots and complications. Disgruntled former federal employees, laid off after budget cutbacks, plan to heist $100 million in plates from the U.S. Treasury Department in Seattle.

Problem 1: A small tour group is in the room with the plates when they arrive.

Problem 2: Former Treasury agent Dean McConnell (Eric Roberts) is there with his son, Jeremy (Kaj-Erik Eriksen), to pick up his fiancee Fiona (Cali Timmins). She is the tour group guide, and she has her daughter Amy (Lisa Marie Caruk). Dean also recognizes the group's leader, Quentin (Jurgen Prochnow), who used to be his best friend.

Problem 3: Dean shoots the pilot in their getaway helicopter. The chopper ruptures a gas line on the roof before crashing into the building at the 10th floor, starting massive fires in both areas that are burning toward each other, trapping the tourists and the criminals between them.

Problem 4: Criminal Tom (Aaron Pearl) doesn't want Quentin's girlfriend to distract him, so Tom traps her in an elevator above the 10th floor. She is Dean's ex-wife and Jeremy's mother, Michelle (Venus Turzo).

Problem 5: The senior Treasury agent on the ground believes that Dean is part of the criminal group and orders his snipers to shoot at will.

Problem 6: One member of the tour group has a bad heart.

Problem 7: Amy and Jeremy hate each other and do not want their parents to even date each other, much less get married.

Problem 8: The bad guys shut off the sprinklers to keep the authorities busy with the fire and so the snipers will have to shoot through smoke without getting a clear field of vision.

Problem 9: When the fires meet each other, their energy will be increased exponentially and the resulting explosion will burn everyone in the building to a crisp.

Wow! How many conflicts can you possibly resolve in an 80-minute movie? The writers did their work with this film and have given us more than enough to keep us thoroughly engaged. This is definitely one of those movies that you can't pause long enough to go to the bathroom. It keeps you riveted in place until the end.

Likewise, they have included a wide variety of characters and personalities to keep things lively and interesting. There is never a lull in this movie. It takes off and keeps going at breakneck speed all the way through. The character development is tremendous. By the time you reach the end, you feel as if you were in that building with them and have gotten to know them personally. There is bound to be at least one with which you identify.

Heaven's Fire is an intricately written action flick that will keep your heart pounding and your stomach churning. It is high quality entertainment that delivers a full load of value for your money. And let me reiterate: I really like the photography in this movie.




Rambles.NET
review by
Alicia Karen Elkins



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