Check your ego Washington!

Rating: Null/10 (20 October 2004)

Man On Fire was captivating, action filled, and a mite confusing. Denzel Washington has always been a guy to trust when it came to great movies. He's fiery and easy to watch, chooses incredible, powerful scripts but sadly if his head gets any bigger they will have to double the size of the theatre for his next film. Man On Fire is the story of a washed up, depressed former agent of some sorts. One of the interesting things about this film is that it gives no back story on Washington's character Creasy. Tony Scott who has directed some killer success films went a little out of his way to be original with this film I think. Washington's character is mysterious and unknown and we as the viewer are literally dropped into his life without any previous explanation leaving us to try and piece together the little hints dropped about his past. The story is that Creasy is hired by a seemingly wealthy Mexican business man played quite impressively by Mr. Jennifer Lopez...Mennifer? to protect his daughter played (needless to say BRILLIANTLY) by Dakota Fanning...shouldn't this girl get an Oscar for everything she acts in? Living in Mexico city where the kidnap/ransom rate is through the roof, Creasy appears to be incompetent and irresponsible for the job but his former partner or boss or friend or fellow agent Rayburn played by Christopher Walken recommends him. Fanning's character slowly begins to open Creasy's up making him feel for someone again and making him clean up his act in order to fully protect her. Unfortunately it's not in time for kidnappers, with the help of crooked Mexico cops/organized criminals to kidnap and "kill her." In anger Creasy exacts revenge on everyone who benefited, was involved in, or had a hand in the kidnapping. He's cold blooded and deadly serious and at the same time unravels the criminal chain involved in numerous kidnapping. The story has enough action and intense scenes to keep you riveted to your seat. Scott attempts a unique style in his direction with seemingly music video editing which is often annoying and used too frequently. I understand his reasoning but it's overused. The cast is terrific but Washington just seems so blatantly egotistical in all his roles lately. It's like he's doing a terrific job and his eyes are saying...look at me act, I am the best. Dakota Fanning is the most brilliant child actor I have ever seen as always. This film is definitely worth seeing, it's a nail biter and a good time in general. See it!! 7/10