Firestorm

Former Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Howie Long may be a hot hunk with bulging muscles, but that's about all that sizzles in Firestorm, an action movie utterly lacking in originality. In his first starring role, Long plays Jesse Graves, a firefighter who parachutes out of planes carrying axes and chain saws to battle the forest's raging infernos. As if that isn't enough, Long must also stop a psychotic train robber (William Forsythe, The Rock) who has escaped from prison and takes an ornithologist (Suzy Amis, Titanic) as a hostage. Some flaming special effects heat up the action, but the story never really catches fire. Not recommended. (M. K. Lau)