ABLAZE (2001)

MORGAN'S RATING

A man sets himself on fire and a hotel catches flame. The burning down of the hotel leads a criminal investigation to follow the path of what is believed to be a serial pyromaniac. It soon becomes clear that it is not the work of an individual, but that of a corporation whose arsonist leanings show little respect for human life or inner city architecture. The police and fire departments now find themselves in a war with a corporate entity that only they can stop.

John Bradley (Jack Thomas), Tom Arnold (Wendell Mays), Ice-T (Albert Denning), Amanda Pays (Jennifer Lewis), Cathy Lee Crosby (Elizabeth Sherman), Pat Harrington Jr. (Stuart Ridgley), Edward Albert (Mayor Phillips), Michael Dudikoff (Daniels), Mary Jo Catlett (Nurse Winslow), Richard Biggs (Garrison), Christian Oliver (Tim Vester), Michael Trucco (Scott), William Zabka (Curt Peters), Eric James Virgets (Workman), Michael Cavanaugh (Chief Sam Davis), Larry Poindexter (Andrew Thomas), Melissa Brasselle (Mindi Hunter), Carolyn Seymour (Vivian Sims), Christine Mitges (Reporter), Marc Vahanian (Orderly), Sharron Leigh (Alaina Charles), Olivia Shane (Baby), Robert Clotworthy (Dispatcher Harris), David Bowe (Rick Woods), Dorian Lopinto (Gwen Christopher), Scott Cox (Barry Christopher), Dane Farwell (Freddy), Chris Astoyan (Jeff).

FACTS

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

RELEASE DATE: July 16th, 2002 (USA) (DVD PREMIERE)

DIRECTOR: Jim Wynorski (Gale Force). WRITER: Steve Latshaw. PRODUCERS: Alison Semenza and Andrew Stevens. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Alan B. Bursteen. LINE PRODUCER: Sabrina Sipantzi. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Neal Acree. DISTRIBUTOR: 20th Century Fox

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Ablaze is hilarious -- and it's not supposed to be. It's got some of the corniest, chessiest lines and moments a B grade action film has ever had -- and yet I watched every damn minute of it." -- Clint Morris, Moviehole