If You Hate 'A House of Dynamite,' Watch This Classic Nuclear Thriller Instead, You're Missing Out On A Cautionary Tale Of Proportions
In an era when nuclear threats feel more alarmingly relevant than ever, Netflix's latest doomsday film, "A House of Dynamite," falls flat. For those who've watched this high-stakes thriller, you might be wondering why it fails to deliver the same level of tension and suspense as its 1964 counterpart, Sidney Lumet's classic masterpiece "Fail Safe."
Published in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis, "Fail Safe" tells a more nuanced tale about nuclear proliferation. The film follows a bomber crew awaiting their orders when they receive a secret code instructing them to attack Moscow - or so it seems. In reality, it was a computer glitch at a military base that sent the incorrect message.
The first act of "Fail Safe" is gripping, and Olivia Walker (Rebecca Ferguson), a senior officer in the White House Situation Room, quickly recognizes the gravity of the situation unfolding before her. We feel the urgency of each desperate action, order, and argument that follows, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
However, "A House of Dynamite" is nearly two hours long, with its 19-minute countdown to impact stretched out over multiple perspectives, including a Zoom call between generals and government officials. As the tension gradually ebbs away, the script falters, leaving viewers frustrated and eager for resolution - or at least some form of closure.
In contrast, "Fail Safe" builds towards a climax with personal sacrifices and heart-wrenching choices. The drama unfolds as key individuals must confront the situation they've created, highlighting the human cost of nuclear proliferation.
Early in the film, two old-school Air Force pilots reminisce about the humanity of their generation, saying that younger pilots are "just machines." This sentiment is eerily echoed by Colonel Jack Grady, the pilot who utters these words and ultimately becomes a symbol of the very machine-like quality he warns against.
One aspect that sets "Fail Safe" apart from its Netflix counterpart is how it depicts the inner workings of nuclear deterrence. The film shows how complex systems and protocols can lead to catastrophic consequences when they fail - and that's where "A House of Dynamite" falls short, failing to convey a similar sense of unease.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a gripping, thought-provoking nuclear thriller, then watch Sidney Lumet's timeless classic "Fail Safe."
In an era when nuclear threats feel more alarmingly relevant than ever, Netflix's latest doomsday film, "A House of Dynamite," falls flat. For those who've watched this high-stakes thriller, you might be wondering why it fails to deliver the same level of tension and suspense as its 1964 counterpart, Sidney Lumet's classic masterpiece "Fail Safe."
Published in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis, "Fail Safe" tells a more nuanced tale about nuclear proliferation. The film follows a bomber crew awaiting their orders when they receive a secret code instructing them to attack Moscow - or so it seems. In reality, it was a computer glitch at a military base that sent the incorrect message.
The first act of "Fail Safe" is gripping, and Olivia Walker (Rebecca Ferguson), a senior officer in the White House Situation Room, quickly recognizes the gravity of the situation unfolding before her. We feel the urgency of each desperate action, order, and argument that follows, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
However, "A House of Dynamite" is nearly two hours long, with its 19-minute countdown to impact stretched out over multiple perspectives, including a Zoom call between generals and government officials. As the tension gradually ebbs away, the script falters, leaving viewers frustrated and eager for resolution - or at least some form of closure.
In contrast, "Fail Safe" builds towards a climax with personal sacrifices and heart-wrenching choices. The drama unfolds as key individuals must confront the situation they've created, highlighting the human cost of nuclear proliferation.
Early in the film, two old-school Air Force pilots reminisce about the humanity of their generation, saying that younger pilots are "just machines." This sentiment is eerily echoed by Colonel Jack Grady, the pilot who utters these words and ultimately becomes a symbol of the very machine-like quality he warns against.
One aspect that sets "Fail Safe" apart from its Netflix counterpart is how it depicts the inner workings of nuclear deterrence. The film shows how complex systems and protocols can lead to catastrophic consequences when they fail - and that's where "A House of Dynamite" falls short, failing to convey a similar sense of unease.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a gripping, thought-provoking nuclear thriller, then watch Sidney Lumet's timeless classic "Fail Safe."
i know right?! 'a house of dynamite' is so overhyped and annoyingly long 
like who needs 19 minutes to tick down on screen?? it's just dragging on forever 
and don't even get me started on the characters they're all so whiny and unlikable 
compared to 'fail safe' though... that's a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling 
olivia walker is literally the only cool character 
and the way the film portrays the human cost of nuclear proliferation is so poignant 
i mean, those old-school air force pilots are straight fire 
"they're just machines" btw 
. i mean a house of dynamite is just so slow paced and boring compared to fail safe which was like the ultimate nail biter back in the day 
. i love how fail safe showed the human side of nuclear war, it wasn't just about the politics or tech, its about people making hard choices and dealing with the consequences 
. if u want a real thrill ride, watch fail safe and forget about this mess 
. I mean, what's the point of a 2-hour movie that can't even get the tension right? The script just meanders on and on without delivering any real payoffs 
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. I mean, come on - that film was a masterpiece and this one just can't hold a candle. It's like they're trying to cash in on nostalgia rather than putting in the real work to create something original.
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and yeah i get why they tried to show multiple perspectives but honestly it just made me confused 
i think the main problem is that the script didn't know when to wrap things up 
i mean 'fail safe' was so well paced and it really showed how human the characters were, especially olivia walker she's literally on edge the whole time 
. it's like they took every doomsday movie cliche and mashed them all together into a soggy mess 
. the pacing is all off, it's like watching paint dry during that 19-minute countdown 
. and don't even get me started on the characters, they're so one-dimensional you can practically draw them yourself 
. i mean, who does the writer think we care about? a bunch of generic generals and politicians? zzz... give me 'Fail Safe' any day, that's a real nail-biter 
the pacing is all off and u feel like ur stuck in a never endin loop of general meetings and computer glitches 
u feel the tension buildin up so fast u cant even breathe lol also omg the cinematography is to die for all those grainy black & white shots its like steppin into the past 
. if you're looking for a real nail-biter, skip a house of dynamite and watch "fail safe" 
i'm thinking maybe a little cat or a dog that can keep me company while i'm gaming all night lol. anyway, back to this movie... i feel like "A House of Dynamite" was just so overhyped and the 19-minute countdown felt like an eternity 
. have you seen "Fail Safe"? it's on netflix! 
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️. I love how the characters have to make those heart-wrenching choices, it adds so much depth to the story 
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. The pacing is all wrong, it's like they're trying to milk every second for drama but really they're just getting in the way 
. And don't even get me started on the characters - they're all so one-dimensional and boring 
. Give me something with some substance and depth over this bland, formulaic stuff any day of the week 
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. It's like they took all the humanity out of nuclear proliferation and replaced it with cardboard characters and cringe-worthy dialogue 
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. Trust me, you won't regret it 
. And don't even get me started on how the script fizzled out at the end... what a bummer 
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