Blown Away (Special Edition) [Blu-ray]

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 defusing 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 defusing 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 cross-hairs. 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 casualties 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 defuse 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 film making 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 defusing a variety of ingenious 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!

na

Two great actors in one film Kurt Russell, and Tommy Lee Jones Tommy Lee Jones plays an excellent bad guy in this movie

Good movie been wanting one till i found this one on amazon.

A classic film and made better with 4k being out the explosions 5 star all the way

Not bad, picture quite clear and nice also smooth as well. Sounds good but not great 👍

Great movie

Gabe: I like that movie so bad! I learn about Tommy Lee Jones was a villain and he was a good actor, too.