Jaded ex-CIA operative John Creasy reluctantly accepts a job as the bodyguard for a 10-year-old girl in Mexico City. They clash at first, but eventually bond, and when she's kidnapped he's consumed by fury and will stop at nothing to save her life.
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Reviews
Wuchak
7
By Wuchak
_**The Punisher in Mexico City, albeit black**_
A disillusioned ex-CIA operative (Denzel Washington) gets a gig in Mexico as the bodyguard of a precocious girl (Dakota Fanning) from a wealthy family. Christopher Walken plays his friend, Radha Mitchell the mother of the girl and Mickey Rourke an attorney of the family.
“Man on Fire” is a crime drama/thriller that debuted five days after Thomas Jane’s “The Punisher” in 2004. While “Man of Fire” was based on a novel by A.J. Quinnell and “The Punisher” was based on the Marvel Comics’ character, they’re both about men who suffer great tragedy and enact merciless strategies to take out the criminals responsible. They’re about on par, but I give this one the edge as it has more dramatic depth and flashier filmmaking by director Tony Scott (which some may find annoying). But neither is as supremely effective as the later “Taken” (2008).
Some complain that the movie’s “schizophrenic” because it’s like two movies stitched together, but don’t all revenge stories have a set-up for the oncoming revenge part? This one just has a longer and more satisfying set-up.
The film runs 2 hour, 26 minutes, and was shot mostly in Mexico City.
GRADE: B
Narate
9
By Narate
_"Forgiveness is between them and God. It's my job to arrange the meeting."_
Denzel is always amazing in any movie. Most of this movies are just top tier as is, but this one really sticks out to me now that I am a parent. I would have this kind of fire in me if anything happened to my kid. The colors, editing, acting, even the violence is perfect in this.
RalphRahal
8
By RalphRahal
Alright, let's talk "Man on Fire." You know I dig a good revenge flick, and this one delivers, even if it takes its sweet time getting there. The plot's simple: guy protects kid, kid gets snatched, guy goes on a rampage. It's the Tony Scott package, right? So, visually, it's a trip. Those fast cuts, the color flashes, it's like he's trying to give you a headache in the best way possible. Some people hate it, but it's pure Scott. Cinematography matches that intensity, gritty and in your face. Denzel, man, he just is Creasy. That quiet, simmering anger? Perfect. Dakota Fanning holds her own too, especially considering her age. The script isn't Shakespeare, but it gives Denzel enough to work with. And that soundtrack? Haunting. Those vocals from Lisa Gerrard, mixed with Gregson-Williams' score, really stick with you.
Now, it's not a perfect movie. The first act drags a bit, setting up the relationship, but it's important for what comes later. It's a slow burn that explodes. It's also heavy. Really heavy. This isn't a light watch. It's dark, violent, and it doesn't hold back. But that's what makes it memorable. It's about redemption, even if it's a messy, brutal kind of redemption.
Bottom line, "Man on Fire" is a solid action-thriller with a lot of style. It's got that classic Denzel intensity, a killer soundtrack, and a visual style that's definitely unique. If you like your action movies with a bit of emotional depth and don't mind a bit of visual chaos, give it a shot. Just be ready for a movie that's more about the feeling than the finesse.
