“The Towering Inferno”

8.1

Paul Newman and Steve McQueen in the same film just isn’t fair. AND the juice (OJ Simpson) is loose as a security guard, of all things. One of many, but one of the best disaster movies to come out of the 1970s. Tied with “The Poseidon Adventure” in my book. Death defying stunts, amazing practical special effects, and phenomenal acting by almost the entire cast. Only a couple cheesy moments, but that’s to be expected. I also wouldn’t have taken the elevator so often in a fire, but McQueen is a badass and can do as he pleases. I initially balked at the almost-3 hour runtime, but it was well worth it. Classic Hollywood. Short of something like “Backdraft” coming along once every few years, they just don’t make movies like this anymore.