Mikael Salomon has never made a film that really interested me. Yet I threw myself into his Big Driver (2014), which is an adaptation of Stephen King, which I haven’t read. And I liked it a lot.
On the other hand, here… it’s more the kind of 90s action film that went unnoticed and not without reason!
And that’s despite a sense of humour that made me laugh out loud at times and some breathtaking, spectacular action scenes like the water scooters inside a flooded school.
Yes, if you’re afraid of water, avoid this film, which takes place in a city that’s increasingly under water (literally!).
It’s a shame, but the film gets increasingly ridiculous. The plot twists aren’t very well thought out. It’s sometimes hard to believe that someone who’s very bad can become someone who’s very good quite quickly.
Hard Rain just doesn’t manage to be a good film, despite its cast, which can’t save it.
It was rather unlikely to see Christian Slater (True Romance, Interview with the Vampire, The Name of the Rose, Very Bad Things, Dolan’s Cadillac) and Morgan Freeman (Seven, Kiss The Girls, High Crimes, Along Came a Spider, The Shawshank Redemption) headlining! Randy Quaid (The Last Detail, Midnight Express), yes, Dennis Quaid’s brother, joins the cast in a role that is far from comical this time. And the film’s most charming asset is the lovely Minnie Driver (Sleepers, Spinning Man, Return to Me, Grosse Pointe Blank, Goats), who is yet another actress who never changes or ages. You might even wonder if she’s really human!
Hard Rain is an action film that is nowhere near as good as Cliffhanger (1993), Passenger 57 (1992), Die Hard 3 (1995) or even Universal Soldier (1992). It’s quickly seen, quickly forgotten.
In fact, I’ve seen a ton of very bad reviews, ranging from “Unfortunately no! A really badly made film, a big dud!‘ to ’This film is simply catastrophic! Conclusion: don’t rent it!‘, not to mention ’Aïe aïe aïe! A really badly made film‘ or ’Snif! One of the worst films I’ve ever seen!
In short!
But maybe you’ll just love it and say to yourself: “Excuse me?
You can forget about the reviews above! Take a look and see the film for yourself. It’s not great, but it’s a decent, well-directed thriller with top-notch lead actors! So rent the film now!!!”
You never know!
Just so you know, there’s also the option to ‘Rent it and forget it!’ One doesn’t preclude the other….
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BiboZ-ification Nation 
Hi! It’s great to read another perspective on this film. I think you’re being a bit tough on it, even if I agree with some of your points. When I reviewed it back in 2018, I gave it a 3/5 rating.
It’s true that the film hasn’t aged perfectly, especially the special effects (which were already less impressive than Twister, released two years prior), but I found the originality of the concept quite effective. The mix of a heist thriller and a natural disaster creates a unique atmosphere, even if the $70 million budget didn’t manage to prevent it from being a box office bomb.
I agree with you regarding the “ridiculous” turns the plot takes at times. However, I found the shift in character roles quite interesting: Morgan Freeman isn’t actually the true “villain” of the story. In my view, Randy Quaid plays the real antagonist as the corrupt sheriff, which adds a nice twist to the classic armored truck driver scenario.
As you said, it’s a pure 90s product: you watch it for the action and the unlikely cast (Christian Slater was still a bankable star back then!), even if it’s the kind of movie you forget shortly after the credits roll.
Looking forward to reading your next review!
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Hi there!
It’s always nice to see other points of view on a work of art, even if it’s a film I didn’t like.
So, yes, I was quite harsh, but I’m happy that this film can be enjoyed and I don’t have any hatred or rage against it! 3/5 is very decent. It doesn’t shock me, in any case.
Yes, it’s highly likely that I would have enjoyed it more if I’d seen it at the time.
The mix of heist thriller and natural disaster creates an excellent atmosphere. I’d love to see more films like that. You mentioned Twister. Did you like the second one? There are some films that I like more and more when I look back on them. With Twisters, it’s quite the opposite. I tell myself it only had the special effects… and, of course, the scene in the cinema, which is excellent!
Yes, it’s true that Morgan Freeman isn’t the real villain and that Randy Quaid is a horror, but it’s to avoid spoilers that I say things like that. It’s good to leave it as a surprise.
I’m sad to say that I’m changing over time. I re-watched Die Hard 3, which I’m always raving about… and yet I wouldn’t give it 5 stars today. But then again… 4 or 4.5 isn’t nothing, frankly. But I saw it as perfect and without any overlong scenes.
I loved Christian Slater in his heyday. I think you can tell by the number of films I’ve put him in.
In any case, thank you very much, because I think this is the first message I’ve received on this blog. I did receive a question once, but it wasn’t very pleasant to answer, because it was ambiguous and complex.
And just in case, I speak French if you prefer.
Have a great week!
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Hi!
Thanks for your detailed reply! Regarding the language, we can definitely switch to French if you prefer, or keep going in English—whatever is easiest for you works for us!
It’s funny you mentioned Twisters (the 2024 one). I’m actually with you on that: visually it’s a blast, and that cinema scene is a fantastic tribute to film history. But looking back, it might lack that ‘soul’ or the raw grit that the 1996 original had. Sometimes, modern special effects can’t quite replace that 90s practical magic.
I totally feel you on Die Hard 3. It’s always a bit heartbreaking to re-watch a ‘perfect’ childhood favorite and notice the pacing issues or the seams showing. That said, a 4 or 4.5/5 is still a masterpiece in my book! The chemistry between Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson is something we rarely see executed that well nowadays.
I’m glad to be your first real commenter! Blogs are all about these kinds of exchanges. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for your future posts—especially if you write more about Christian Slater’s filmography.
Have a great week too!
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