stunning acting and high powered action

Rating: 10/10 (19 May 2006)

This is not a brainless revenge movie, you begin by being introduced to the characters, with the outstanding acting talents of Denzel Washington and Christopher Walken. Director Tony Scott does a brilliant job at making you feel for the main characters all most immediately. Once introduced to the gifted young Dakota Fanning, you can already see the contrast between her happy character and that of the drunken Denzel Washington. The time spent without action, but where Denzel and Dakota are becoming familiar lasts over an hour but it is clear that Denzel has feelings for his bodyguard subject. When Dakota Fanning is taken, we see a magnificent shoot out between Washington and the kidnappers before Washington finally falls. From then on you see the heavily dismayed Denzel easing his way through the bad guys, killing them off one by one. But does he get what he wants?
Man on Fire also shows the acting brilliance of an old legend in the shape of Sin Cities very own Mickey Rourke. Another familiar face is that of Rhada Mitchell famous for playing the wife of Collin Farrell in Phone Booth. But Man On Fire isn't just a small revenge picture with Jean-Claude Van Damme it includes brilliant acting from the offset, and a subtle emotional outlook.
In my opinion Denzel should have had an Academy Award for this. One of the best movies around to date. A must buy for anyone who likes Washington or revenge movies.