Tour de Force from Denzel Washington

Rating: 9/10 (2 June 2005)

This film suffered from a lack of coverage on it's original release, and seemed to be headed for DTV hell. This is totally unjustified, as the direction, performances and even, amazingly, the plot, are superbly done.
The story itself is quite basic; drunken ex-marine gets the job to redeem himself, and ends up feeling alive again, only to have his dreams snatched away, and exacts a bloody revenge.
Note the word 'bloody' there, because the film certainly is that - in spades. Various shots of torture, death and pain are inflicted both on the protagonists and the viewers throughout the film, although Scott never allows the gore to get in the way of an immensely impressive performance from Denzel Washington, who surely is showing the way for truly mesmerising performances. His character, Creasy, is perfectly captured with Washington's moody persona, yet the glances and eventual grasp of redemption is captured superbly by the actor. A film like this will never get to the Oscars but certainly it could not be far off. Credit also has to go to the amazing Dakota Fanning, the only child actor I've ever seen who didn't make me want to throw the TV out of the window. Indeed, her skills actually rivalled those of Washington's, and her heartfelt "you love me too" almost brought a tear to this (reviewer) old git's eye.