Top notch cast can't save overlong, predictable film.

Rating: 6/10 (26 April 2004)

This could have and should have been a much better movie than it was.

Really fine performances from all involved. It's no wonder why Denzel Washington is considered one of our finer actors. The arc of his performance is spectacular. Without giving the story away (although if you've seen the commercials, you know 90% of the total plot line), the viewer can feel his isolation, and the depth of his loss of self.
Dakota Fanning is also wonderful as the little girl he is hired to protect. She is a good actress who manages to hold her own in her scenes with Washington.
Christopher Walken is marvelous in another controlled, understated performance. Giancarlo Giannini and even Mickey Rourke, (who I did not recognize at first) were very good.
However, all of these fine performances are betrayed by the director (Tony Scott) and screenwriter Brian Helgaland (Mystic River)(not to mention some annoying camera work by D/P Paul Cameran). Since most of the story can be determined by the commercial, there are no surprises to this movie (none that are believable, anyway).
****Spoilers**** The premise behind the movie is very good. Washington plays a down and out special forces expert, who becomes the bodyguard to a little girl, who is the daughter of an international business man (Marc Anthony). He must protect her because the kidnapping rate in Mexico is so high. After Washington is shot several times during the inevitable, and predictable kidnapping, and after he learns that the girl has been killed, he resolves to find the people involved, and kill them all.
And that he does. The violence that is committed in this movie is handled well. It is effective, without being overly gory. While some of these scenes are interesting, some are just unbelievable (would he really walk through a crowded disco shooting a shotgun over his head into the air?).
The final conversation between Washington and "The Voice" is so disappointing and ridiculous it ruins the credibility of the rest of the film.
Between the lousy script and the multitude of "artistic" camera shots that were annoying, this movie could have easily been trimmed by 15 minutes.
Rent the video and save some dough.
6 out of 10
But