Bit of a disappointment

Rating: 6/10 (27 January 2005)

Had high hopes for this one but guess any movie with an MA15+ (Mature Adults) rating is not going to be a feel good...
SPOILERS! Enjoyed the first half of the movie when Creasy (Washington) is brought out of his drunken hopelessness by concern for his charming 9yo charge Pita (Fanning). After an initial aloofness and "don't want to know you" period, he warms to her and coaches her at swimming, showing her how to overcome her faults. She obviously likes him and somehow has given him a reason for living.
The 2nd half though where he undertakes a psychopathic vendetta to avenge her apparent death after she is kidnapped, ultimately sacrificing himself in exchange for her when she is found alive, was a turn off for me even though given his background and state-of-mind, what he does is just credible.
A reasonable thriller, but not if you like seeing graphic depictions of people having their fingers cut off/burned, torture etc.