Man On Fire

Plot Summary

John Creasy (Denzel Washington), a man haunted by his past and seeking comfort in bottles of Jack Daniels, is hired by a wealthy family in Mexico City to protect their young daughter. Kidnappings are common in the city, and there has been a spate of them recently. Creasy, battling demons from his past, is cold and distant towards his young charge, Pita (Dakota Fanning), but Pita likes Creasy and describes him as a "big sad bear". Before long his cold heart is melted by the friendship the young girl offers him.

Following a bloody shootout on the street, Creasy is injured and young Pita is kidnapped. Creasy vows to kill everyone involved in the kidnapping and the "big sad bear" is now a very angry bear with revenge and retribution on his mind... 

Review

This movie is a movie of two halves. The first half doesn't rush the story and spends time developing the characters. We get a bit of an insight into the lives of John Creasy and the family he protects. There are also some other interesting characters including John's friend played by Christopher Walken and a shady lawyer played by Mickey Rourke. This part of the movie is excellent and there is a realistic feel to the story and characters. The interaction between Creasy (Denzel Washington) and Pita (Dakota Fanning) is credible and natural.

The kidnapping of Pita marks the changing point in the movie and the 'second half' dispenses with characters and concentrates on action scenes of shootings and bloody interrogations. At this stage the movie also starts to get a little far-fetched and some things are just too unlikely to accept. For example when Creasy starts his one-man-war against organised crime he seems to be able to get to his enemies remarkably easily. He travels around Mexico City unimpeded by police or gangsters and at one stage he even sets up a mobile rocket launcher in someone's apartment!

The camera work is close, gritty and shaky, and this can be a very effective way to give a realistic 'documentary' feel to the story and action. It can make you feel like you are actually there on the scene but when over-used it can be distracting. At times it is difficult to see exactly what's going on in some of the scenes when the cameras are so shaky and close to the action.

There is a great cast in the movie and helped by a good script there are good performances all round. The conversations between Creasy and Pita are particular good. Radha Mitchell and Marc Anthony play Pita's parents.

Bottom Line: Starts off great but then concentrates on action and thrills and loses some of the authenticity established at the beginning. A little far-fetched at times but nonetheless a good thriller. If you enjoy this movie you might also enjoy Proof Of Life,  Trapped, or The Bourne Supremacy.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2004.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  DENZEL WASHINGTON: Remember The Titans,  Out Of Time.  DAKOTA FANNING: Trapped.   CHRISTOPHER WALKEN: Catch Me If You Can,  The Stepford Wives.  MICKEY ROURKE: Once Upon A Time In Mexico.  GRANCARLO GIANNINI: Hannibal.

Genre: Thriller

Certificate: 18's

Director: Tony Scott

~ Main Cast ~

Denzel Washington

Dakota Fanning

Radha Mitchell

Marc Anthony

Christopher Walken

Rachel Ticotin

Mickey Rourke

Grancarlo Giannini

RATING

WORTH A WATCH