Man On Fire
RATING: 6.5/10

Review Date:        April 23, 2004
Director:             Tony Scott
Writers:              Brian Helgeland
Actors:                Denzel Washington as Creasy
                           Dakota Fanning as Pita
                           Christopher Walken as Rayburn
Audience of Choice:                 Thriller/Suspense/Drama
Year of Release:  2004

STORYLINE: Denzel Washington stars as a government operative / soldier of fortune, who has pretty much given up on life. In Mexico City, he reluctantly agrees to take a job to protect a child (Dakota Fanning) whose parents are threatened by a wave of kidnappings. He eventually becomes close to the child and their relationship reawakens and rekindles his spirit. When she is abducted, his fiery rage is unleashed on those he feels responsible, and he stops at nothing to save her.

MY REVIEW: This 146 minute movie is long, suspenseful, and very violent. I really don't know what to say. The movie is incredibly well made and the acting is phenominal, but I personally don't think that it justifies a lot of what goes on in this movie. The first half of the film consists of Denzel realizing life is worth living after becoming attached to Pita, the girl he was hired to protect. This section got me hooked and I completely fell in love with both characters. Fanning is adorable and also has major acting skills, and Denzel is likable no matter what you make him do. This brings me to my main point. There is no possible way a movie could make you dislike this dude, but I swear this film came awfully close. I was totally realed into the plot and throughout the entire movie I was feeling with Creasy's character, but there was something new added here. Instead of some "insane revenge rampage action", or the "slick and cool destroy the bad guys one by one" affair, we got the watch this guy brutally murder people while he shows no mercy during their cries. Um....fun? No, not really.

    This is the third movie in a row that I have reviewed with revenge as a main theme. First was Kill Bill: Vol 2, then The Punisher, and now Man On Fire. If I were to recomend one of the three, I'd choose KILL BILL without a doubt. Now, even though I am giving this movie a higher rating then The Punisher, I would not immediately say to see this movie over it. It all depends on your type of "revenge" movie. Sure, The Punisher feels dark and all, but it really exists for a good time, but Man On Fire isn't just that. It is an intriguing movie, but enjoyable action isn't its strongpoint in my eyes. It was just too "mean". I know that these characters shown desrve to die, but couldn't Scott have done it a way that you can at least feel they're getting what they deserve? I mean, he makes them cry and sit there helpless, but doesn't show much of what they did involving the crime. Not a smart move, because now Denzel starts looking like a heartless goon.

    People can disagree with me all they want, but it's simply just hard for me to watch killings of when done in this nature. Moving on though, there was a lot this movie had going for it. Some of lines were brilliant. For example, "Creasy's art is death and he's about to paint his masterpiece." and "Forgiveness is between them and God. It's my job to arrange the meeting." Nice. My final thing to point out is how irritating that trademark Scott "shaky cam". I was seriously about to have a siezure with all the flashy lights and jerky movements. Overall, a very well made movie. This movie's art is gritty violence, and it sure is an interesting masterpiece.

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