Thursday, April 22, 2004
Man on Fire
Watch out, Denzel is back on the big screen as a "Man on Fire". If you cross him, you'll get burned.
Denzel Washington turns in another great performance as a washed-up ex-government operative turned bodyguard who drinks too much. Also outstanding is Dakota Fanning, co-starring as the kidnap target. She is charming, adorable, and wiser than her age. She melts the hearts of the audience as well as Denzel's.
Set in Mexico City, the film has the feel of "City of God", which used Rio de Janeiro as its backdrop. The movie is edgy, gritty, and intense.
What does "Man on Fire" have in common with "Walking Tall", "Kill Bill Volume 2", and "The Punisher", all released earlier this month? The following is found in 2 or more of those movies: the saying - revenge is best served cold; a wife who wants them all killed; battling enemies in their night clubs; and a suicidal hero.
"Man on Fire" is no comic book story. It has real characters with depth and personality. The police are present throughout the film, but Denzel does the job they cannot. Denzel is the punisher without mercy. He, too, secures a whole arsenal of weapons and knows how to use them. He has his revenge list and vows to kill his "Bill". But he is mortal too, he doesn't bounce right back after each injury. He is human, a lost soul who finds himself again through the love of a little girl.
This movie is rated R for strong language, extreme violence, and sadistic torture.
Honorable mention should be noted for the film's effective and clever subtitling during certain intense scenes.
Alien gives it 3 ½ blazing stars out of 4.
Watch out, Denzel is back on the big screen as a "Man on Fire". If you cross him, you'll get burned.
Denzel Washington turns in another great performance as a washed-up ex-government operative turned bodyguard who drinks too much. Also outstanding is Dakota Fanning, co-starring as the kidnap target. She is charming, adorable, and wiser than her age. She melts the hearts of the audience as well as Denzel's.
Set in Mexico City, the film has the feel of "City of God", which used Rio de Janeiro as its backdrop. The movie is edgy, gritty, and intense.
What does "Man on Fire" have in common with "Walking Tall", "Kill Bill Volume 2", and "The Punisher", all released earlier this month? The following is found in 2 or more of those movies: the saying - revenge is best served cold; a wife who wants them all killed; battling enemies in their night clubs; and a suicidal hero.
"Man on Fire" is no comic book story. It has real characters with depth and personality. The police are present throughout the film, but Denzel does the job they cannot. Denzel is the punisher without mercy. He, too, secures a whole arsenal of weapons and knows how to use them. He has his revenge list and vows to kill his "Bill". But he is mortal too, he doesn't bounce right back after each injury. He is human, a lost soul who finds himself again through the love of a little girl.
This movie is rated R for strong language, extreme violence, and sadistic torture.
Honorable mention should be noted for the film's effective and clever subtitling during certain intense scenes.
Alien gives it 3 ½ blazing stars out of 4.
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