Excellent and thrilling film about a merciless revenge

Rating: 7/10 (27 October 2004)

An American bodyguard (Denzel Washington) is contracted by a family in Mexico (marriage formed by Radha Mitchell and Marc Anthony) to protect their child (Dakota Fanning) . Then she's kidnapped and a terrible vendetta takes place , as the protagonist carries out a vow to avenge , as revenge is a meal best served cold . Forgiveness is between them and God... His job is to arrange the meeting . His art is death, and he is about to paint his masterpiece . Sabotage his work, his fiery will be releashed . There's trained and there's untrained. Now, which one are you?

In this moving movie there is thriller , frenetic action , suspense , violence, intrigue and a little bit of social denounce . The final showdown between the starring and the baddies is breathtaking . Film runtime is overlong , two hours and half , but is neither tiring , isn't boring ; because being fast moving, and that's why it is entertaining . The film has a certain likeness to Charles Bronson's films of the series : ¨Death Wish¨ for the matter , a relentless revenge. The picture obtained too much success at the box office in spite of the violence and the crude theme . Denzel Washington's interpretation is awesome , Radha Mitchell and Marc Anthony (married to Jennifer Lopez) are good and the little daughter played Dakota Fanning is cool . Support cast is pretty well , such as : Giancarlo Giannini , Rachel Ticotin, Mickey Rourke, Christopher Walken , and being shot in Mexico , that's why there appears some Mexican actors such as Roberto Sosa and Jesús Ochoa . Interesting and nail-biting screenplay by Brian Helgeland , based on a novel written by A.J. Quinnell , that was previously adapted by Elie Chouraqui as ¨Man on fire¨(1987) with Scott Glenn, Jade Malle, Joe Pesci, Jonathan Pryce .
Harry Gregson Williams' musical score is outstanding , adding sensitive songs by Lisa Gerard . As well as adequate cinematography by Paul Cameron .Direction by Tony Scott is alrightly made
The picture will appeal to action buffs and strong emotions enthusiasts. Rating: 7/10 . Well worth watching . Better than average . Essential and indispensable seeing .