Blown Away [DVD]

The clock is ticking as a short fuse is lit counting down to the moment of detonation, in the explosive 1994 action/thriller “Blown Away.” Starring an all-star cast led by screen legends Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones, the city of Boston is transformed into a deadly and volatile war zone as menacing explosions besiege the iconic Irish enclave of America. The combatants in this unconventional war on terror are the members of an elite fraternity of first responders: the gallant men and women of the Boston Police Department’s Bomb Squad. A close-knit team of officers tasked with diffusing the most dangerous situations on the beat. When suspicious packages, vehicles or everyday items become lethal devices, the call goes out to a select few who possess the skills, the equipment and the nerve to go face-to-face with the “Coward’s Weapon of Choice.” The cream of the crop when it comes to diffusing danger is veteran bomb technician Lt. James Dove played by Oscar-Winner Jeff Bridges (TRON) whose masterful skills and daring nerves of steel under pressure are often the only thing that stands between an innocent life and total destruction. However, for all his courage and close calls in the line of duty, Lt. Dove’s mind is plagued by a haunting and violent past. No one knows that this flawed, tough-as-nails Irish Cop is hiding a dark and sinister secret as a young apprentice to a disgraced and vengeful Belfast bomb maker Ryan Gaerity played by Award-Winner Tommy Lee Jones (Rules of Engagement). After foiling his mentor’s plans to set off a deadly truck bomb in the center of a Belfast Market, Gaerity is captured by the authorities and his protégé Liam (Bridges) scrambles into the shadows. On the run from his sins, Liam immigrates to the United States finding a safe refuge in Boston under the care of his Uncle Max played by the late Lloyd Bridges (Hot Shots) who starts his young nephew on a more righteous path in law enforcement under a new name, James Dove. Twenty-five years later, Lt. Dove is quite content in his new life as a bomb technician and family man to his new wife Katie played by Suzy Amis (Firestorm) and stepdaughter Elizabeth. Keenly aware of the dangers and immense pressures of the bomb squad, Lt. Dove makes the decision to settle down and take on a more relaxed role at work as an instructor to aspiring bomb technicians joining the ranks of the BPD’s elite Bomb Squad. Among them is a cocky young recruit Franklin played by Forest Whitaker (Good Morning Vietnam) who struggles to win Lt. Dove’s respect and admiration on the squad. Unfortunately, time does little to heal the malevolent grudge festering within the demon-possessed madman Ryan Gaerity. Upon his explosive escape from a maximum security prison in Northern Ireland, Gaerity sets his sights on Boston with Lt. James Dove and his fellow bomb technicians in the crosshairs. Hell bent on revenge, a deadly game of cat and mouse is played out on the historic streets of Beantown. In the wake of a seasoned veteran’s death, Lt. Dove’s partner “Blanket,” James Dove’s retirement is abruptly put on hold as pieces to an explosive and frightening jigsaw puzzle begins to take shape. However, Lt. Dove’s persistent investigation has dire consequences for his friends and family as Ryan Gaerity’s cunning lethality jeopardizes the lives of Boston’s Finest.As causalities amongst the bomb squad’s ranks mount, Lt. Dove’s investigation and drive to capture Gaerity gets personal. It’s a desperate race against time to save lives and diffuse a myriad of insidious MacGyver-style devices, as James Dove embarks on the most challenging case of his life struggling to atone for his past sins and redeem himself before it’s too late. The mission for this daring bomb tech is simple, “Initial Success or Total Failure.” This film was a wonderful work of action cinema for its time and the DVD Special Features are amazing! My favorites are a behind-the-scenes documentary, “The Making of Blown Away: A Day in the Life of the Bomb Squad” and an insightful director commentary by Stephen Hopkins. In the behind-the-scenes documentary hosted by the late Lloyd Bridges, the segment chronicles the filmmaking process and the inspiring exploits of the real-life Boston Bomb Squad. With candid interviews of cast and crew along with the dedicated heroes and heroines of the Boston Bomb Squad, viewers get an intimate glimpse into the life of a public safety bomb technician.Tasked with diffusing a variety of ingenuous devices, the men and women of the Boston Bomb Squad are a special breed of heroes. In 1993, the squad responded to more than 340 bomb calls. In 1994 the year upon the release of “Blown Away,” there were more than 2500 bombings and attempted bombings nationwide. With sophisticated technology and precise skill, a bomb technician is all that stands between life and death. Sadly, the valor of this harrowing profession comes at tremendous cost. In “The Making of Blown Away: a Day in the Life of the Bomb Squad,” special mention is given to a fallen bomb tech of the Boston Bomb Squad: Jeremiah J. Hurley who lost his life while he and his partner Frank Foley were attempting to diffuse a car bomb. Frank Foley was seriously injured and bomb tech Jeremiah Hurley lost his life downrange.This DVD is definitely worth a look if you’re a fan of Jeff Bridges or just like a great popcorn action flick. For me, I think this film is very relevant for today. Especially in the wake of the Boston Marathon Bombing and the valor displayed by the city’s heroic first responders. I would like to see a movie about the bravery of the Boston Bomb Squad and their attempts at keeping the city safe during and after the Marathon bombing assuming that 2017’s “Patriots Day” just focuses on the beat cops. Today’s bomb technicians deserve to have their stories told in an honest and respectful way on screen!

Good plot, great music, decent acting, and decent action. Nothing impossible to believe, although Tommy Lee Jones character is a bit over the top. The cinematography is quite good, with wide cityscape views applied with an artistic touch instead of just generic footage. Although the cinematic quality decreases a bit after the first half. They must have been running out of money for helicopters, crews, equipment, etc.Basic plot, you have a former bad guy who has decided to be a good guy, and needs to hunt down the incredibly bad guy that is out to get him. It's a proven formula and works well in this movie.The acting isn't great at times, especially his wife and Jeff. But it was nice to see Lloyd Bridges, and of course it's cool to see father and son working on the same movie. And Forest Whitaker does a stellar job.Nice thing is there's no absurd or obviously faked explosions or special effects. You will never see that in modern movies, so that was very refreshing. There's violence, and it can get a bit unpleasant, but it's never crazy over the top like many movies.Overall, worth watching. Make sure you watch on a big screen with a good sound system to really enjoy it.

Blown Away is an action thriller about a former I.R.A terrorist Ryan Gaerity ( Tommy Lee Jones ) who escapes from a maximum security prison in Ireland with a powerful liquid explosives he made up out of common ingredients who's been serving 25 years for trying to blow up a bomb in a crowded market place , meanwhile in the US Jimmy Dove ( Jeff Bridges ) is defusing bombs for the Boston police department and able to deactivate just about any device put in front of him but hates it and in love with single mum Kate ( Susi Amis ) & daughter Lizzy ( Stephi Lineburg ) so after proposing and marrying Kate decides to retired and takes up a position teaching rookies till Ryan Gaerity sees Jeff Bridges on the news for defusing a bomb , Jimmy Jeff Bridges real name is Liam Mcgivney born in Ireland who used to be friends with Ryan ( Tommy Lee Jones ) in the I.R.A and 25 years ago Jeff Bridges attempted to stop one of Ryan Tommy Lee Jones bombs from exploding in a crowded public market , Ryan Tommy Lee Jones got Caught and Liam Jeff Bridges manage to escape and flee to the US with a new ID alias Jimmy Dove and lives with his uncle Max ( Lloyd Bridges ) now Ryan Gaerity Tommy Lee Jones wants revenge by destroying everything Liam /Jimmy / J, Bridges loves and now Liam must figure out a way to stop Ryan without the knowledge of his fellow police officers and suspicious partner Anthony ( Forest Whitaker ) .I saw Blown Away when first released on VHS than on DVD & now again on Blu Ray with a pretty good picture and sound , this movie had mixed reviews at the time and what I like about it is the way the devices & bombs were set up to explode by causing maximum damage with some great action , U2's music in some scenes and good acting , released in 1994 / R rated ,121 minutes long and A region locked .

I have a multi region blu ray player but would only come up with the message."This disc is intended for playback in Region A only"When Region A is selected same message appears.

Had the film on video and loved it so replaced with this dvd

The film got good action and actors in Jeff bridges and Tommy Lee Jones.

I enjoyed this film as it had been a long time since I saw it. It was good value for money & arrived on time.

superb film great actors and fantastic U2 soundtrack. replaces a vhs that got damaged.the soundtrack makes the film special.