Watch Firefox

In the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union has developed a new fighter jet called the MiG-31, codenamed "Firefox". It's faster, more advanced and almost impossible to detect by radar. With the possibility of the US falling behind in weapons technology, retired US Air Force pilot Mitchell Gant (Clint Eastwood) is recruited by the CIA to go behind enemy lines and steal the Firefox for the US.

Gant, plagued by PTSD from his time in Vietnam, reluctantly agrees to the mission and undergoes intense training to fly the Firefox, which is operated through the use of thought control. With the help of a Russian dissident named Pavel Upenskoy (Freddie Jones), who provides him with a cover story and important information about Soviet military secrets, Gant travels to Moscow and sneaks into the factory where the Firefox was built.

As Gant progresses through the factory, he uses his knowledge of piloting and technology to overcome obstacles and evade detection from the Soviet authorities. He is pursued by a Soviet agent named Colonel Kontarsky (Warren Clarke), who sees Gant as a dangerous threat to Soviet security.

As the tense mission unfolds, Gant must battle not only the physical obstacles but also his own inner demons of PTSD, which threaten to derail the mission and his own sanity. He manages to steal the Firefox and begin his escape, pursued by Soviet fighters and helicopters, leading to a thrilling and intense climax in the skies over the Arctic Circle.

Eastwood, playing the lead role, delivers a convincing and layered portrayal of a tormented hero fighting against his own personal demons in addition to the Soviets. The supporting cast also brings depth and complexity to their roles, particularly Freddie Jones as the sympathetic Pavel Upenskoy and Warren Clarke as the ruthless Colonel Kontarsky.

The attention to detail in the filmmaking is impressive, with the depiction of Soviet technology and military strategy feeling authentic and accurate. The intense action scenes, particularly the aerial dogfights, are thrilling and well-staged, with Eastwood’s experience as a director shining through in the pacing and visual style.

Overall, Firefox is a suspenseful and well-crafted thriller, featuring a compelling performance from Eastwood and exciting action sequences. The film’s exploration of Cold War tensions and advanced technology make it a fascinating time capsule of the era.

Firefox is a 1982 science fiction movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 16 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 44.