Man on Fire goes beyond the action thriller genre

Rating: 10/10 (27 April 2004)

Tony Scott has made a quantum leap forward with Man on Fire. This is a film of intense and riveting quality, that goes beyond the genre of action thriller. Some critics have complained of the the long run-time, and especially the first half with its lack of action. In my opinion every minute of that first hour was well crafted and a worthy investment into developing the bond between Creasy and Pita and set up items for the remainder of the plot.
There are a number of vengeance plots on the screen right now, but none pull it off as much style and more importantly depth as Man on Fire. Possibly the finest revenge tale since Soderbergh's The Limey. A very dark and violent film but one with a through appreciation for humanity nevertheless.