Man on Fire
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Movie Reviews of Man on Fire
Movie Review: Great Denzel. Not so great movie.
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me ask a question. The character 'Joe Miller' in "Philadelphia," the character 'Matt Lee Whitlock' in "Out of Time," and the character 'John Creasy' in "Man on Fire" . . . what's their racial background?See, it's tricky to ask that question and it may appear insensitive and boorish. People look at you as though you just got caught opening a can of beer in the parking lot of a chrome shop and your name is Cooter or Bubba.
But I submit to you that Denzel Washington, like myself a Fordham University man (regrettably the comparison ceases there) is so good at what he does that three lines into the script or 40 seconds after the movie begins you forget that he is an African American actor. You are mesmerized (again) by viewing the craft of one of the best actors of our time.
Like other African American men and women, Ashe, Jeter, Winfrey, Powell, the skill at which they do and did their jobs becomes the only point of focus. And that's the way it should be. And if an actor can show it to us and speed the process, more power to him.
The plot of "Man on Fire" is oft used and simple. Burned out service man, cowboy, boxer, assassin, Knight of the Round Table, Priest, is rescued by a little guy, girl, pet, his girlfriend's sister, and wants to return to a "normal" life. Well not necessarily normal but at least not self destructive with occasional suicidal thoughts.
For John Creasy was the CIA and alcohol that started it all. Now his friend Christopher Walken is getting him perhaps the last job he can ever hope to hold, bodyguarding a 10 year old blond girl of wealthy parents. When their relationship develops he finds himself with little experience becoming a sort of surrogfate father, and his 'raison d'etre' is returned to him by the precocious Dakota Fanning.
His job is to protect her; when he fails at that she is kidnapped and he begins a journey of retribution, punishing those that took from him the person who gave him the gift of wanting to live again.
In that regard it's not an unordinary film. It's heavy handed in the violence department, and while that doesn't detract from Washington's consummate skills, it does point the movie towards "pulpdom." But Denzel Washington brings to the character of John Creasy a depth heretofore unseen in "tortured, wounded, dark heroes." While it's an (only slightly) above average film, Washington is worth the trip. 5 stars. Larry Scantlebury
Movie Review: Movie that does the book justice!!!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
In case you are confused by the title, let me explain. This movie was first a book written by A.J Quinell. He got the idea for this book based on a true story that happened in Italy in 1975. A man went after the mafia and started killing them off. That man made it to the second in command, one under the godfather, before the mafia finally took him out.
When the book was written kidnapping was the biggest in Italy, where the mafia controlled it. When this movie was made, Mexico city was the hot spot for kidnapping. In the car Pita tells Creasy that "in the last 6 days there has been 24 kidappings". Tony Scott(director) placed that in there because that is exactly what happened the firstt week that they were filming.
Another thing, the two brothers in the movie (one being the "voice") were also based on who controlled the kidnappings in Mexico City. The Auramendez( i'm sure i spelled that wrong, but it's pronounced air-a-men-dez) brothers. One brother is still on the loose, and one turned himself in. Why? Because a reporter for the Reforma newspaper and the head of the AFI made it dangerous fo him to be anywhere but in jail. He turned himself in to a press conference of 100 people, for his saftey.In the movie there was a Reforma reporter and an AFI agent, also the cells and "La Hermanda" that each part of the kidnapping went through were true also. Which are guardians, the "voice", and the people that picked up the victims.
After all this I'll get to the point about how good the movie is, it was beautifully acted, written and directed. Although some with a weak stomach may not like it, or people who dont like long movies. The movie is 2hr 25min long, but it has no dull points. The music of this movie is another thing of beauty. The music goes along perfectly, and effectivly heightens every scene that happens.
It is definetly a movie worth seeing. Even though the movie is not set in Italy, and the mafia is not behind the kidnappings, it goes for exactly the same thing the book does. A story based on truth. Any author should hope to have his novel done this masterfully.
Also, if you don't believe my statements about the true stories and such, you can get all that and more by watching the commentaries with the film.
Movie Review: Finally, a movie worthy of praise
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the few movies out nowadays that keeps you thinking about it. It's kind of scary to know that stuff like what happens in this movie is probably going on around you. Denzel Washington puts on easily his best acting yet. He's always been a phenominal actor but this movie puts him on an all new plateau. Marc Anthony, surprisingly, pulls off his role excellent. His portrayal of a father battling his inner demons is right on. Dakota Fanning was casted perfectly in my opinion. The bright-eyed youngster trying to be friends with her bodyguard. Christopher Walken steals every scene he's in. As always, he's suave and injects a bit of humor in at the appropriate times. And let's not forget Radha Mitchell, the extremely troubled mother.
This movie revolves around Creasy (Washington), a man hired by Samuel (Anthony) to act as his daughter's (Fanning) bodyguard. Creasy is timid towards the job but takes it, refusing to be Pita's friend, he's her bodyguard nothing else. It's odvious from the opening scene that this part of Mexico is not, by any means, a nice part of town. It doesn't seem safe in the least but this accusation is backed up towards the middle of the movie. While protecting Pita, Creasy is shot twice and put in the hospital. What happens when he leaves the hospital to revenge the kidnapping is shear brilliance. He doesn't care who you are, but if you were involved in the kidnapping you're going to wish you never were. His take no prisoner style is very admirable.
The camera work featured in this is amazing. It's very raw and portrays the feeling of the film perfectly. Tony Scott did an excellent job in every aspect of this movie. Kudos should also be given to the special effects people. Without compromising any of the film's integrity, they capture the brutality of the killings, and everything in between, very well.
Overall this is definitely a movie worth seeing at least once. The overall message is very good, and features some of the best acting in recent memory. Everyone in this movie is worthy of being included and brought their 'A' game. This also has a great ending, while never answering the odvious question that you're left asking. With great acting and a plot to die for, you can't go wrong.
Movie Review: MINDBLOWING
Summary: 5 Stars
It is an absolute rarity that a movie comes along like the 2004 remake of Man On Fire. Set in Mexico City, Man on Fire takes on the dramatic and dark plot line of ransom kidnapping, violent revenge, and how horrible a shattered family can be all put into a blender and coming out as a well made, fruitful smoothie. Denzel Washington takes on the gritty role as Creasy, an ex-CIA assassin who's burnt out and completely given up on life. Reluctantly he assumes the role of a bodyguard for a 9-year-old girl in Mexico City, the daughter of a very rich couple, as kidnapping in Mexico City is at an all-time high. Dakota Fanning, my favorite actress and one of the best in Hollywood--assumes the role of 9-year-old Pita, the girl whom Creasy is protecting. They start out on the wrong foot--Pita tries to get close to Creasy, yet afflicted by his past, he is an anti-social person who stands alone. Eventually, though, he softens and the two become very good friends and Creasy begins to realize that maybe life could be worth living. Suddenly, the charming and touching moments are shattered when Pita is kidnapped by gangsters and Creasy mortally wounded. Convicted of killing two cops during the kidnapping, Creasy goes on the run and his life is once again broken when his newfound best friend has been kidnapped and there is no sign of her. With nothing to lose, Creasy embarks on an objective to kill all people who were involved with the kidnapping in any way, shape, or form. The movie is beautifully executed, punishingly brutal, disturbingly realistic, excruciatingly violent, and just may be the best movie I've seen in a WHILE. All the plot summaries on the Internet for this film, including mine, are misleading: the film is NOT about revenge...it's about something much more deeper and emotional than that. The execution of the film is seamless: you experience every ounce of love, hatred, and vengeance right along with Creasy through the entire movie. You can't help stop and say during the film, "This is exactly what I would have done." I would recommend this film to absolutely anyone, especially those who are fans of the Kill Bill movies. This is one of the best 5 films I have ever seen in my life. Rent it, buy it, watch it on TV, whatever--just don't miss it!Movie Review: One of the Most Powerful Movies You'll See
Summary: 5 Stars
"I love you Creasy Bear."
"They threw her body in the trunk of the car."
"Revenge is best served cold."
"He can deliver more justice than your courts in ten years if you just get stay out of his way."
"Creasy's art is death. He's about to paint his masterpiece."
Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning lead an outstanding cast in this gut-wrenching story of love, devotion, duty, self-discovery, betrayal and mystery. Denzel plays an John Creasy, Ex CIA operative down on his luck, down on himself, someone balancing on the lip of the bottle. But one man has faith in him, a former associate who arranges for Creasy to hire on as bodyguard for the daughter of a rich Mexico City family. Dakota Fanning, ever the personification of charm and innocence, tests Creasy's tolerance for little kids, but over time reliance, trust and friendship form a bond between them. But always Creasy has doubts. He tries suicide but the bullet jams. He keeps the bullet, sensing it has special meaning.
The girl is kidnapped brazenly during a daylight raid at her school and Creasy is critically wounded. It's believed the girl has been murdered. Creasy, healing slowly and reeling from the loss of the girl and his failure to protect her, seethes with the need for vengence. He seeks out clues to the kidnappers, then as he tracks through each layer of the conspiracy, he extracts brutal vengence. But as he does so, he begins to suspect the conspiracy may go deeper, maybe extending even to the family or its close connections. And he suspects the girl may be alive...
This is one of those movies that drains your emotions. It's brutal and painful, yet poignant and stirring. You'll watch it again and pick up little things you didn't notice the first time. The cinematography is compelling, the characterizations deep. Mexico City shows all its colors: the plush splendor of the rich; the frenzied nightlife; the desperation of the poor; the depravity of the evil, all driven by a Latin beat. Crowds cheer as Creasy blows up a nightclub. You can almost smell the sweat and fear. This is a powerful film.