By Adriana Sierra

With the third anniversary of September 11 recently passing, it seems only right to have a movie like Ladder 49 on the big screen. The film is a fast-paced adventure, depicting the courageous lives of the firemen that serve our country, and evoking the fear of dying that they push aside to save others.

There is no doubt what the main concept of this film is-the heroism of firefighters. The plot doesn’t get much deeper than that, nor does it need to. The only enemy in this film is the fire itself. In this case, less drama proved to be more, providing a subtle yet powerful salute to firefighters all over the nation. Despite the lack of drama, Ladder 49 still managed to tug at the heart of the audience and cause a few lumps to rise in one’s throat.

As it focuses on the hard work and dedication of all firefighters, Ladder 49 tells a story about a young fireman with a passion for his job. The film begins when Jack Morrison (Joaquin Phoenix), a passionate and eager fireman, is fighting a blazing fire at a warehouse on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and rescues a victim who was trapped on the 12th floor. After bringing the victim to safety, Morrison gets separated from the rest of the team and gets trapped within the warehouse, which is still very much ablaze. With metal falling, explosions booming, and walls crumbling, Morrison becomes injured and begins to have flashbacks of the pleasant and most memorable times in his life, the first being his first day becoming a member of the Ladder 49 team.

The first day on the job is hectic and a pivotal point in life for Morrison, but the viewer knows he wouldn’t change it one bit. He meets Captain Mike Kennedy (John Travolta), who, along with the rest of the engine company, initiates the rookie by playing practical jokes on him. That same day, Morrison is put to the test to endure his first fire. With Kennedy by his side throughout it all, you notice a bond forming. Following the fire, he encounters his future wife, Linda (Jacinda Barrett), while shopping in a supermarket. When asked what his profession is, Jack informs her and simply states, “It’s a job.” Quite the understatement, as the entirety of the film focuses on the importance of such an occupation.

From that point on, camaraderie forms between all members of Ladder 49 as they are involved in events ranging from weddings to baptisms and even hang out together on their days off at the Looney Pub. However, reality takes a turn for the worst and a sequence of incidents takes place, showing that the everyday life of a firefighter is not all fun and games. While attempting to fight a fire, Jack’s best friend, Dennis (Billy Burke) falls through a weak roof into a furnace and shortly after that, another colleague, Tommy (Morris Chestnut) has his skin scorched off by a blistering steam. It is with the unraveling of such disasters that the audience begins to notice the strain and heartache this career can bear on the families of those who serve to help others.

As the story continues to unfold, the future of Morrison becomes unsure and one finds them self-growing a deeper attachment with the character as each flashback passes by. The character of Jack gives the movie a personal and down-to-earth touch that hits home with the audience, therefore, allowing viewers to grow fonder of him throughout the journey. Phoenix takes on the amazing role, combining courage, tragedy and heroism with that of the average man, which makes the character all the more majestic.

With a combination of real characters, raging visual effects and a theme of heroism, Ladder 49 ended with tears welling up in the eyes of many viewers. In a place where terror has stricken, the film illustrates the bravery of those who “go into burning buildings when everyone else is running out,” and allows for the respect and admiration they deserve after all their dedication and sacrifice.