Review of Burn (2012) by Chris S — 15 Dec 2012

BURN is a timely and important film about not only firefighters, but the city of Detroit and its troubling status these days which no doubt is shared by many cities given the current state if the economy.

As a Chicago firefighter I have to say I've never seen a movie that did a better job of conveying the "job" than BURN. The filmmakers were somehow able to capture footage inside burning buildings allowing viewers for the first time to see what it is truly like for firefighters operating inside such structures.

But despite this amazing footage, I believe the film truly excels with the heartfelt, and sometimes heartbreaking stories of the firefighters and residents of Detroit. I personally feel that this film is important because of the political climate today that tends towards blaming public workers for the country's current economic problems.

Watch this film and then with a straight face try to say that firefighters and other public safety employees are overpaid or undeserving of the modest benefits (and in the case of Detroit firefighters, meager benefits) that they receive for doing a job that injures and kills far too many.

Many people in this country need a wake up call and I think this film is it. Go see it. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll have a new found appreciation for those that are standing by, at this very moment, ready to help you and your family should an emergency occur.