Hopkins takes his time with the story initially and gives Bridges time to flesh out his character of Jimmy Dove, a top member of Boston's Bomb Squad. Jimmy has been doing this for a long time for reasons no one understands. Liam McGivney was taken off the streets of Ireland as a teen and trained to hate the English, learning the ways of terrorism from Ryan Gaerity (Tommy Lee Jones). In one fateful moment that haunts him, Liam turned his life around and started it over in America as Jimmy Dove.

But the events that brought this about involved an aborted bombing that landed his mentor, Irish zealot Tommy Lee Jones, in prison for years. Jimmy's love for his girlfriend Kate (Suzy Amis in a nice role) and daughter Lizzy (Stephi Lineburg) are more important to him now and when he asks Max O'Bannion (Dad Lloyd Bridges), the only person who knows about his past, if it is time to quit, the fact that he has asked is his own answer.

Gaerity has finally managed to break out of prison though and even as Jimmy proposes marriage and plans his retirement party, who should Gaerity spot on television playing bomb squad hero but old pal Liam. As Gaerity starts killing off members of the squad Jimmy must postpone his retirement, his past life coming back to haunt him in a deadly way. Tommy Lee Jones is charismatic in another great turn as a killer taking delight in his revenge against Jimmy.

Jeff Bridges underplays his character and gives Jimmy some real depth. He has been trying to make up for his past for years and can tell no one how he knows so much about Gaerity and his methods. When things hit close to home however, he is forced to tell Kate and send his family away for their own safety. Forest Whitaker has a good role as Bomb Squad member Anthony Franklin, who suspects Jimmy knows more than he's telling and after uncovering the truth must make a decision on what to do about it.

There are some tense and exciting moments in this film and some great music from Irish bands such as U2. Kate plays violin for the Boston Pops and it plays a part in the climax, as does a dangerous drive through the streets of Boston. This is just an all around entertaining movie with a great ending I can't give away. You need to see this one for youself and ignore the critics. It's a good one.

Just the start when Gaerity(Lee Jones) escapes,You're Hooked
Review date: 2000-09-15 Rating: 8 out of 10

Two of the biggest stars coming together for the first. Jeff Bridges is the good guy and Tommy Lee Jones the bad guy. I give this 4/5 because the film is let down by the supporting cast. The pyrotechnics for the explosions are excellent and the camerawork makes you believe you are right there with Bridges while he tries to defuse the bombs set by Lee Jones. Stephen Hopkins directs with style and add every last ounce of tension he can. Enjoy, I know I did.

Explosive Action
Review date: 2000-03-14 Rating: 8 out of 10

A great action thriller all about bomb disposal worker played by Jeff Bridges and a mad ex IRA bomber played by Tommy Lee Jones. There are loads of great explosion scenes and Tommy Lee plays the madman very well. A good story and a good film.

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