"Creasy, You're smiling"

Rating: 8/10 (3 June 2009)

A semi-retired, problem drinking militarily trained man, played by a delightfully quiet and somber Denzel Washington, is hired, at a discounted price, to protect the daughter of a wealthy man. The daughter play by Dakota Fanning is smart, likable and chatty, she gets along with everyone, even Washington who is resistant to allow his feelings come out (due to his turbulent past involving his job). This relationship between Washington and Fanning's characters is the cornerstone of the movie and takes a little bit before they really let each other both in. When Pita (Fanning) says to her bodyguard "Creasy, You're smiling" we really see how much of a liking these two have for each other. A man who never thought he could feel anything other than pain again feels happiness and purpose.
After a length of time Pita is kidnapped after her piano lesson, in which Creasy is gunned down in the ensuing gun fight. He survives, oh boy how he survives.
Creasy takes some sweet sweet revenge on all who are responsible in Pita's kidnapping (I won't get too into it all, but boy is it one hell of a ride) A beautiful performance from Denzel Washington and a solid supporting cast, fun direction from Tony Scott and a solid script make Man on Fire an action ride with heart.
8 out of 10