Blown Away Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Boston bomb squad expert must defuse not only bombs but also his past as a bomb maker when his old Irish mentor shows up to blow things up.

🍿 Blown Away: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Escape and Arrival

Ryan Gaerity, a dangerous Irish bomber, escapes from a high-security prison in Northern Ireland. He crafts a bomb using crude materials found within his cell to blast his way to freedom. Gaerity sets his sights on Boston, Massachusetts, to seek revenge against his former associate.

A New Life Interrupted

In Boston, Jimmy Dove, formerly Liam McGivney, works as a bomb disposal expert for the Boston Police Department. He’s trying to live a peaceful life with his new wife and stepdaughter, having left his past with the IRA behind. However, his past resurfaces when a series of bombings begin to plague the city.

Revenge Ignites

Gaerity’s bombs become increasingly personal, targeting Dove’s colleagues and loved ones. Dove quickly realizes that Gaerity is back and seeking revenge for Dove’s betrayal, which led to Gaerity’s imprisonment years ago. A dangerous game of cat and mouse ensues, with Dove racing against time to stop Gaerity’s destructive plans.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lt. Jimmy Dove (Jeff Bridges): A Boston bomb squad expert with a hidden past as an IRA member, forced to confront his former mentor turned vengeful bomber.
• Ryan Gaerity (Tommy Lee Jones): An escaped Irish bomber seeking revenge on his former comrade, Jimmy Dove, for his imprisonment.
• Kate (Suzy Amis): Jimmy Dove’s wife, a violinist who becomes entangled in the deadly conflict between her husband and his past.
• Officer Anthony Franklin (Forest Whitaker): A rookie officer on the bomb squad who learns from Dove and investigates his connection to Gaerity.
• Max O’Bannon (Lloyd Bridges): Jimmy Dove’s uncle and a former associate, who knows about Jimmy’s past and provides support.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ryan Gaerity: “I’ve come here to create a new country for you called chaos, and a new government called anarchy.” – Gaerity explains his motive and philosophy of destruction to Dove over the phone.
• Ryan Gaerity: “Catch you at a bad time?” – Gaerity taunts Dove after setting a bomb that endangers Dove’s family.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $28,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $30,156,002
• Worldwide Gross: $30,156,002

💥 Blown Away Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing ‘Blown Away’ as a kid and being totally thrilled by the explosions! Watching it now, it’s definitely cheesy, but still a fun ride. Tommy Lee Jones is so over-the-top, it’s hilarious. The kitchen scene where Jeff Bridges is trying to find the bomb is so tense, I still cringe! It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a good dose of 90s action nostalgia.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 90s action thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in movies about bomb disposal”
  • “Those who enjoy Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones”
  • “People interested in Irish-themed action stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Explosions and intense action sequences”
  • “Profanity”
  • “Themes of terrorism and revenge”
  • “Death of characters”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While the explosions are impressive, ‘Blown Away’ suffers from a predictable plot and over-the-top performances. Tommy Lee Jones’ Irish accent is particularly jarring, and the film relies too heavily on tired action movie tropes.
• RogerEbert.com: “Stephen Hopkins directs with energy, but ‘Blown Away’ fails to rise above its formulaic premise. The film’s attempts at character depth feel superficial, and the over-reliance on slow-motion explosions becomes tiresome.
• The Washington Post: “‘Blown Away’ is a derivative action film that squanders its talented cast on a cliché-ridden script. Tommy Lee Jones’ performance is particularly uninspired and his attempt at an Irish accent is terrible.

Audience Reactions

The bomb defusing scenes were intense and kept me on the edge of my seat.: Viewers enjoyed the high-stakes tension and suspense of the bomb disposal sequences.

Tommy Lee Jones’ performance was crazy but memorable.: Despite criticisms, many found Jones’ portrayal of the villain to be entertaining.

Overall Consensus: A 90s action flick with impressive explosions but a predictable plot and questionable accents.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones are good friends in real life, which added to the intensity of their on-screen rivalry.”
• “The film is dedicated to the memory of Officer Jeremiah J. Hurley of the Boston Bomb Squad.”
• “The explosion of the gambling ship at the end was so powerful that it shattered approximately 8,000 windows in East Boston.”
• “Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones were both considered for the role of Snake Plissken in ‘Escape from New York’ before Kurt Russell was cast.”

🖥️ How to Watch Blown Away?

Blown Away is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Some cable providers may also offer it on demand. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can be purchased online.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Blown Away, you might like these similar films:

• Speed (1994): Both films involve high-stakes situations with bombs and the race against time to defuse them.
• The Fugitive (1993): Features Tommy Lee Jones as a relentless pursuer, similar to his role in ‘Blown Away’.
• Patriot Games (1992): Explores the theme of IRA terrorism and its impact on individuals and families.

🛒 Blown Away Related Products

• Blown Away (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the intense moments of ‘Blown Away’ with Alan Silvestri’s thrilling score, plus iconic tracks from U2.
• Tommy Lee Jones Signed ‘Blown Away’ Movie Poster: A rare collectible featuring Tommy Lee Jones’ autograph, making it a must-have for any fan of the actor or the film.
• Exploding Bomb Building Kit: Construct and detonate (safely!) your own explosive designs with this challenging puzzle kit. Channel your inner Gaerity, but with responsibility!
• Boston Police Bomb Squad T-Shirt: Show your support for the brave men and women of the Boston Police Bomb Squad with this officially licensed t-shirt.

🎧 Soundtrack

Blown Away features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “With or Without You” – performed by U2
• “Where the Streets Have No Name” – performed by U2
• “Main Title” – performed by Alan Silvestri

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Blown Away 1994 Making the bomb

Ever wondered how they made those intense bomb-making scenes in ‘Blown Away’ look so real? This video gives you a peek behind the curtain, plus it’s got a killer U2 track playing in the background! Honestly, it’s cool to see how much effort went into practical effects back then.

✨ Rate