Review: High-tech bank heist at heart of 'Firewall'

Neither of these is addressed directly in Richard Loncraine’s new techno-thriller “Firewall.” But Jack Stanfield – the too tough-looking-to-be-a-computer-geek character played by Harrison Ford – may himself be the title reference as he tries to protect his place of employment, his family and his dog.

While Ford physically reminds viewers of an aging Indiana Jones or Jack Ryan, emotionally he is nowhere near either one of those characters. For most of the film, anyway. In the third act, Stanfield manages to get a fire lit.

The film is standard “a man’s family in trouble” fare, but thanks to a great cast – Paul Bettany as the bad guy steals the film from Ford – it’s enjoyable entertainment. Technology tweakers will no doubt find fault with many of the concepts presented. But does anyone believe dilithium crystals can actually make the starship Enterprise travel at 10 times the speed of light? What about all of 007’s implausibly nifty gadgets over the years? Sometimes one simply has to accept the plot holes and move on.

Stanfield is head of Internet security at a large bank in Seattle.

As the film opens, there is a board meeting in progress, and we learn a huge merger with another institution is in the works. The other firm has security experts of its own, and a rather brusque gentleman (played by Robert Patrick) has somewhat different ideas about security than Stanfield. Since Jack devised the online security system, he’s put off by his new boss’ attitude.

Along comes Bill Cox (Bettany) a potential – and very wealthy – new customer. Reluctantly Jack agrees to meet Cox and others for a quick drink after work.

Jack is surprised when Cox hops into the back seat of his car as he heads for home. He’s shocked when Cox says, “She has beautiful eyes, your daughter.” Cox then shows Jack a cell-phone-captured image of his terrified-looking child.

Cox is an imposter. He and several cohorts have invaded Jack’s home. They will hold the family hostage – by means of even more high tech gadgetry – until Jack helps them get what they want. What they want is $100 million, transferred in $10,000 increments from 10,000 of the bank’s richest clients.

They force Jack to wear a wireless microphone and tiny camera so they can monitor his every move at work. Needless to say, if there’s any attempt at funny business … well you’ve seen this sort of film before. Think “Desperate Hours,” “The Panic Room” and “Ransom.”

There are plot devices thrown in early on – the dog has a GPS-equipped collar, the Stanfields’ son has a deadly allergy to peanuts – that astute viewers will realize are going to come into play later on. Which they do.

There are a few surprises though, inclulding a red herring thrown in regarding who might be behind Cox and company’s plan.

In typical Hollywood fashion, Ford, 63, seems somewhat old to be married to a wife played by Virginia Madsen, 42. Madsen is great, but there are plenty of fine (and great-looking) actresses closer to Ford’s age. The actor also seems a bit old to realistically accomplish many of the physical movements Jack manages late in the film. But as mentioned above, it’s best to just forget about it.

Bettany, as Bill Cox, is wicked indeed. Bettany is best known for his role as the Galapagos-obsessed ship’s physician in “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” and he has stretched his range here playing a villain. Not only does he best Ford’s performance, he’s got seasoned veterans like Alan Arkin, Bill Forster and Robert Patrick to contend with as well. He holds his own – and more – throughout.

“Firewall” is not a great movie by any means, but it’s a way to pass the time and enjoy being inside when it’s so darned cold.