A Gritty Revenge Movie and a Moving Character Study

Rating: 10/10 (24 March 2020)

"Man on Fire" is one of the best, grittiest, and most emotional vigilante/revenge movies out there. Preceding "Taken" by two years, this film still owes some of its story nuance to "Commando", which pioneered the "bad mofo rescuing young girl" formula.
Tony Scott's glossy, slick look with over-saturated color is fully on display here, and his frenetic style is replete with the required quick cuts. It totally works, and adds to the mood and atmosphere that Scott sets. The tone of the movie is quite dark and grim, and it compliments Scott's style very well.
Denzel Washington graces the film and the viewer's line of sight with his presence, looking just as cool and awesome as he usually does. He gives his awe in this performance, as usual, but he's not the usual likable, everyman Denzel. He's more stoic and reserved, and totally fits the role. Christopher Walker is also awesome in a supporting role.
This gritty action crime thriller is accentuated with graphic and gritty violence, though to call it an action film is generous. There aren't really action sequences per se. There's a great street shootout, another street scene where Denzel blows up a car with a bazooka, and a scene in a house where a dude's hand is shot off. This is not an action-packed movie like "Taken", and though it has the same themes, it chooses to to emphasize the melodrama and human side than the action, which totally works.
This is one of the many awesome masterpieces that Tony Scott has made, which makes sense since he's one of the greatest film directors of all time. Watch it now.