**THE WACPINE OF ‘FIREWALL'**

WRITING: 5
ATMOSPHERE: 5
CHARACTERS: 4
PRODUCTION: 5
INTRIGUE: 4
NOVELTY: 2
ENJOYMENT: 4

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**The Good:**

The second half is significantly better than the first half, as both the acting, the tension and the stakes improve. When Jack turns from victim to pursuer, Ford turns up a dial and goes all Liam Neeson on the baddies.

The climax is pretty enjoyable, so it's a shame that most of what comes before it is so generic.

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**The Bad:**

The acting is pretty subpar, even from Harrison Ford, who seems very disinterested throughout the film. Some of the others are downright awful, such as Mary Lynn Rajskub.

Paul Bettany makes for a charming villain, but his performance is so low-key that he remains forgettable. He blends in with his henchmen, which isn't good if you're trying to be the leader.

The director uses slow motion in very weird moments, and that doesn't add anything to the experience.

My main problem with the operation is that things just happen too easily. No one suspects anything so there is no real tension to the scheme.

A very generic and predictable plot makes some of the twists foreseeable and lessen their impact.

Even in its tenser moments, Firewall lacks the energy and power needed to feel like an exciting thriller. The subpar acting and the generic plot also make sure that this film will remain forgotten in our collective minds.

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**The Ugly:**

Peanut allergy finally has a face!

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**WACPINE RATING: 4.14 / 10 = 2 stars**

I think Firewall often gets unjustly overlooked due to the generic rating it has on many sites so i'll try and list a few reasons why I think it's worth watching here.

The big one for me as a technically inclined person is that anything to do with computers and other gadgets in the movie looks and feels really authentic, from the computer screens, terminal usage, security systems etc. usually this is a hang-up for me with movies and TV shows because something will be said or shown that is obviously wrong/impossible that it takes you right out of the show but not in Firewall, quite the feat considering how much of the plot features this element.

The second big reason I like it is because of Paul Bettany, you don't see him as the star in many movies but here he has a co-lead role and plays a great villain. The rest of the cast from Ford to Virginia Madsen, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Alan Arkin, Robert Patrick, and even Robert Forster are quite good as well. Lot of familiar faces if you don't recognize the names.

Yes it may be a bit formulaic but it is well done with some good performances and interesting macgyvering.