Real Vengeance for Real People

Rating: Null/10 (4 May 2004)

So it wasn't exactly what I thought I'd get walking into it, and in order to kind of follow what seemed to be "based off a true story" lineup, the ending wasn't all what I expected, but once again, Denzel kicked butt. Not his best performance, and not the best movie I've seen him in, but as a friend of mine stated last night, "this is about vengeance, and I can relate to that". Definitely had some really cool scenes.
The skinny: Former Special Forces Agent goes down to Mexico to see his friend and former service buddy who has made a good living for himself. He's a drunk and at the low point in his life. He becomes a bodyguard for a family there, in order to protect their adorable daughter Lopita, or affectionately, "Pita". Bodyguard tries to be tough, but through the daughter finds will to live again just as the daughter is taken.
Then you have a former military specialist incensed and goes out to kill everyone involved. There are a few twists to the plot, but most of it is fairly straightforward. This is about a man going out to kill the people who harmed the one person who touched his heart.
The stunts weren't as over the top as some blockbusters are, but the dramatic effects of the actors provides them with something besides electricity. They are given life though rage and vengeance, and any viewer who has felt these things will have no problem empathizing.
The screenplay was a little overdone, modifying angles and focus to make it similar to other thrillers like Seven. While it does have a decent effect, it creates more of an otherworldly perspective on the picture. This is assumed to have provided to allow the viewer to get a sense of feeling the rage of Creasy, though to some viewers it may not have it's desired effect.
Definitely worth watching, as this movie will move you. 6/10