..wild fireworks, no real story..

Rating: 5/10 (9 February 2007)

Early-on in "Man on Fire", "Creasy" (Denzel Washington) asks "Rayburn" (Chris Walken) "will we ever be forgiven for what we've done?". That kinda lets us know writer Tony Scott has persuaded director Brian Helgeland (?) to put some pretty heavy stuff in this movie. When we have been informed there is a kidnapping in Mexico City every 2 minutes, and then meet that handsome father (who needs a NEW bodyguard for his daughter), it is apparent this is going to be a violent movie. Didn't you pick-up, right away, the father was the bad guy?
As we watch "Creasy" handle his "piece" (gun) with streams of sweat runnng off his body, we begin to wonder if it's unnecessary for him to handle another "piece" - the orgasm has already occurred.
All that sweetness from Dakota Fanning (Pita) does not provide any salvation for "Creasy" - swimming-lessons do not make-up for the incessant brutality in the rest of this story.....we know it's coming and will not cease till the last frame is screened. There is no reason to name the other actors/actresses in this film; no matter how well they played their roles - except for Giancarlo - they are just visitors to a world of senseless assassinations. We are totally assaulted with colorful explosions, plus all those special effects. Wow !
...the cost of all those fire-arms must have matched Washington's salary...
The cinematography was fabulous -but I thought the movie would never end, and didn't shed one tear when "Creasy" so readily volunteered his life for Pita. "Training Day" and "Man on Fire" tell us that Denzel is running with the money......incessant nastiness, no good acting required.
In the future, I shall watch this film when I am feeling like a monster. I wish I could get the same money Washington got.....sorry, folk: can't give any accolades to this film, except for the people who will cheer-on this one-man "war". Enough said......