Man On Fire (2004) Movie Information:

Man On Fire (2004) Directed by: Tony Scott Man On Fire (2004) Written by: Brian Helgeland, A Quinnell Man On Fire (2004) Cast: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Marc Anthony, Radha Mitchell, Christopher Walken, Giancarlo Giannini, Rachel Ticotin, Jesus Ochoa, Mickey Rourke, Angelina Pelaez

Man On Fire (2004) U.S. Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Man On Fire (2004) U.K. Distributor: Not available at this time

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Man On Fire (2004) Synopsis:

A wave of kidnappings has swept through Mexico, feeding a growing sense of panic among its wealthier citizens, especially parents. In one six-day period, there were twenty-four abductions, leading many to hire bodyguards for their children. Into this world enters John Creasy, a burned-out ex-CIA operative/assassin, who has given up on life. Creasy's friend Rayburn brings him to Mexico City to be a bodyguard to nine-year-old Pita Ramos, daughter of industrialist Samuel Ramos and his wife Lisa. Creasy is not interested in being a bodyguard, especially to a youngster, but for lack of something better to do, he accepts the assignment. Creasy barely tolerates the precocious child and her pestering questions about him and his life. But slowly, she chips away at his seemingly impenetrable exterior, his defenses drop, and he opens up to her. Creasy's new-found purpose in life is shattered when Pita is kidnapped. Despite being mortally wounded during the kidnapping, he vows to kill anyone involved in or profiting from the kidnapping. And no one can stop him.

Man On Fire (2004) Movie Review:

After last week’s debut of “The Punisher” and the smash of the “Kill Bill” series, it sure seems like the anti-hero is back. Vengeance seems to be the new fuel of the box office. Is it possible that Hollywood saved the best for last?

By 1987, anti-heroes and vengeance action flicks were beginning to fade and the first incarnation of the A.J.Quinnell novel, “Man on Fire” was brought to the silver screen. Scott Glenn was the central character of the washed up body guard Creasy and his young charge was played by newcomer Jade Malle. It was a forgettable film in the long and profound career of Scott Glenn.

In the latest incarnation of the novel, screenwriter phenom Brian Helgeland (Mystic River, LA Confidential) adapts the screenplay. And the film is helmed by action veteran Tony Scott. In this outing Denzel Washington plays the tormented and alcoholic John Creasy who winds up in Mexico City by request from his friend Rayburn (Christopher Walken) to become the bodyguard to Pita Ramos (Dakota Fanning), the daughter of a rich Mexican industrialist Samuel Ramos (Marc Anthony) and his wife Lisa (Radha Mitchell).

Creasy is fed up with his life and has found a permanent hole in the bottom of a Jack Daniels bottle. His ex-military prestige is all but a hazy blur in his head but both Lisa and Pita see something in Creasy that no one else does, trust.

As Pita begins to get inside Creasy’s head and try to understand this “sad man”, as she calls him, their friendship and bond strengthens. Eventually Creasy’s hardened emotions breakaway to a parental fondness and Creasy begins to live again.

As their bond reaches its maturity, Pita is kidnapped and Creasy is brutally wounded. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Creasy vows to bring down every person connected to the kidnapping even if it reaches into the heart of the Mexican elite. Mexico City will burn as one man will rage a war that Mexican reporter Mariana (Rachel Ticotin) and Federal agent Manzano (Giancarlo Gianni) have never seen before.

“Man on Fire” is a revenge flick that needs to be remembered. It is in so many ways what the best of the genre is and so much more. With a flawless performance from Washington, “Man on Fire” continues to show the actor’s brilliance. In a lot of ways I liked him in this more than “Training Day” because in that film I felt he was over the top in a lot of scenes while in this it is such a subtle performance. You can feel and absorb everything that is going on inside this man’s head with just a look or a slouch. He is amazing.

Praise should also be given to young Dakota Fanning, who once more seems to shine. This little actress can act better than a lot of actors 2 or 3 times her age. She is brilliant and rips our hearts out in every scene.

I also really enjoyed the way director Tony Scott brought his film together. The direction brings so much new life into this stagnant genre. I also loved the way he uses subtitles in the film. It is just so unique and brings the audience into the picture instead of alienating us like in so many other films. I also liked the fact that Scott wasn’t afraid to go the extra mile with the heart-wrenching violence and raw emotion. We adore these characters.

In the 1987 version, it felt odd that there was a “Lolita-esque” relationship between Creasy and his 12-year old charge. In the latest version, Creasy’s charge is younger and the film goes more for the parental side of things which makes for a stronger impact. The 1987 film doesn’t allow for the main characters to have a deep bound and we question Creasy’s motives.

The only smallest flaw, if I were to find one, would be the fact that we don’t know more about what happened to Creasy to make him give up. Unveiling the story probably would have taken away from the emotion locked in the core of the film but it still would interesting to find out.

I really was shocked, dismayed and emotionally involved with this film and its roller-coaster of emotion. It is a brilliant and under-rated film. Hands down it is one of the best of the genre.

So Says the Soothsayer

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Man On Fire (2004) review written by: Dean Kish