'Man on Fire' has some good actors, and starts out well, then degenerates into pointless violence

Rating: Null/10 (2 April 2005)

Man on Fire (2004) Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Marc Anthony, Radha Mitchell, Christopher Walken, Giancarlo Giannini, Mickey Rourke, D: Tony Scott. Bruised former CIA operative gets hired as a bodyguard for a young girl to protect her from the epidemic kidnapping threats in Mexico City. Though promising to maintain a professional distance from his client, he grows close to the child, so when she's kidnapped he vows to kill anyone involved. Initially, we are emotionally attached to the credible relationship before movie devolves into a senseless vigilante-DEATH WISH picture, which wants us to root on the brutality of those who deserve it. Director Scott's slick, self-indulgent style of dizzying hand-held camera-work, grainy shots, and quick editing seems bold at first, then runs pointless after a while. Main highlights are the sturdy performances by Washington and Fanning, who holds her own next to a major actor. Based on the novel by A.J. Quinnell. 142 min., rated R. ** ½