Man on Fire
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Movie Reviews of Man on Fire
Movie Review: Took the title....
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie knocked Donnie Darko out of first place on my all-time favorite movies list. But apparently - much the opposite of Donnie Darko - I probably won't be finding a lot of other people in agreement. I am sorry to see not everyone appreciated this film as much as I did!
Man on Fire is a film that hits you hard at all levels. I felt very taut and anxious throughout this film which is a great thing - I actually cared about the characters. Denzel Washington delivers what I personally feel is the most challenging and best role of his career. I'm already a HUGE fan of Dakota Fanning. She is really something special. Precocious, smart, believable. I do not think anyone else could have filled Pita's role - she made this movie. Or rather, I should say, the chemistry between Dakota and Denzel made this movie.
The cinematography is the only thing I would change. It could be toned down a notch. The movie is already intense without the overkill. (However it did NOT make me like this movie any less.)
However the auditory aspects of this movie could not be better!!! I think that I would enjoy this movie almost as much blindfolded. Great music, gorgeous blending, the sound effects and dialogue seem to work together almost like a symphony... really nice.
I think that if you feel this movie is just another incarnation of the typical "bodyguard movie" or "kidnapping movie", you need to look again. Man on Fire is far more complex, and the layering is what makes it so astounding. There is love, spirituality, whimsy, but it is all counterbalanced by violence, apathy, vengeance; it's a picture of reality. It shows how weak human beings truly are, and how our greatest strength comes from destruction. It's not necessarily the most uplifting message, but it's the truth. There is always chaos but when it finally explodes, there is the most powerful calm. Silence. Man on Fire is really a Phoenix rising from the ash story (but of course looking at it that way, the story begins where it ends, doesn't it?)
Movie Review: "Man On Fire" is an excellent movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Man On Fire" is an excellent movie! It is a remake of the 1987 movie with Scott Glenn as John W. Creasy, a man who accepts a job as a bodyguard to a wealthy family. Denzel Washington plays the same character with the same name as the Scott Glenn character in the original. It also has the same plot as the original. But this remake looks better than the original. The movie runs at nearly 2 1/2 hours long, which is pretty long, but, it is still an excellent movie with style and charisma, thanks to Denzel. His performance is a possible Oscar nomination for Best Actor at next year's Oscars, he is excellent in this performance. Dakota Fanning, stars as Pita Ramos, the daughter of the wealthy family he protects. Her performance is as excellent as Denzel's is. Creasy, at first, resents life, but, then, something unexpected happens. Creasy and Pita strike up a friendship. Then she gets kidnapped and Creasy is shot, trying to protect her. Then the story revolves around him trying to find her, hence the title "Man On Fire". Christopher Walken, stars as Rayburn, Creasy's friend who helps him in his journey of getting Pita back. Tony Scott's directing is excellent and has made a well done movie. The screenplay by Brian Helgeland, based on the novel by A.J. Quinnell, is excellent. The music by Harry Gregson-Williams is excellent. The cinematography by Paul Cameron is excellent. The film editing by Christian Wagner is excellent. The casting by Lucinda Syson, Manuel Teil, & Bonnie Timmermann is excellent. The production design by Benjamín Fernández & Chris Seagers and the costume design by Louise Frogley is excellent. The art direction by Hector C. Romero is excellent. The set decoration by Elli Griff is excellent. This movie is well made and fast paced. It is a emotional and powerful movie. This has to be Denzel's best movie ever. Go see this movie, if you can or if you want to.Movie Review: A Graphic Masterpiece!
Summary: 5 Stars
In my younger days I watched a lot a movies.My personal top 10 inc such gems as Alien/s not the 3rd or 4th one which were both an insult to the genre!,Scarface,of course,Midnight Express,Don't Look Now and The Hunger.I mention this as the director of this truly mezmerising vampire flick was Tony Scott.So when on a recent flight to the UK i saw 'Man on Fire' was one of the inflight movies I decided I'd watch it.I really don't now how but 2 1/2 hours later I was totally numb and wiping tears away with my napkin!!This is truly a brilliant movie!Yes it has it's faults but Denzel is magnificent and Dakota Fanning IS Pita!,It's violence although gut-wrentching at times,is somewhat justified.In fact the first hour or so of the movie concentrates on the relationship between Pita and Cresey so we can comprehend his actions."I'm going to Kill em,everyone who profited from this or had something to do with it"and he certainly keeps to his word!!.However 'Man on Fire' is much more than a revenge movie.It has many religious overtones and references and explores a whole relm of human emotions from greed to happiness,redemption and salvation.You actually have to watch it more than once to fully appreciate how well this movie is made.The acting is superb not only the main cast but Christopher Walken and Mickey Rourke both give excellent cameos.Also many of the Latin American actors,especially the bad guys,are excellent.The score is brilliantly put together,reflecting the many moods of the film.I won't give the end away but have the Kleannex ready!!.I have read other reviews and many people complain about the highly stylized camerwork and subtitles.Personally I thought it only added to my enjoyment of the movie and made it even more memorable.As you might have gathered by now I recommend you see it!!It may end up being in your top 10 aswell.BRAVO!!Movie Review: Violent, sad, amazing movie
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is absolutely brilliant, led By Denzel Washington in a powerful performance. He plays John Creasy, once at the top of his game in the CIA, but now he's an alcoholic that takes a job as a bodyguard in Mexico City, where there are so many kidnappings that it made me feel very depressed and sad. He is to protect young Pita, played beautifully by Dakota Fanning. The movie is so powerful and sweet though thanks to the first half of the movie. In this section, Creasy becomes nicer and nicer thanks to Pita, and he falls in love with this little girl. They are now best friends, and now Creasy is no longer an alcoholic thanks to his great friendship with Pita. But when Pita gets kidnapped and Creasy gets shot, things go awry. Creasy awakens in the hospital and he is accused of having killed two cops who helped kidnap her. Creasy is released and is informed that Pita is supposively dead because the ransom exchange went awry. Creasy now is really mad and is bent on revenge. He gets some big guns and declares that he will kill everyone that was involved with the kidnapping. This section is very violent as Creasy chops off people's fingers, and wires bombs to one guy's but. Creasy is determined to show no mercy. This movie is very powerful and emotional. I almost cried because this is based on atrue story and kidnappings do occur sooooooooo very often in places like this. Washington and Fanning are both very powerful and the movie is built around them and their bond until the kidnapping. It shows that Creasy fears not his death but only wants to get revenge even if this means his death. The movie will have you laughing, maybe even crying or just staring in awe at what Creasy does. I strongly recommend this very powerful and wonderful film.Movie Review: Man on Fire is a Great Revenge Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Very few actors possess the talent to make a successful revenge movie. This is pure escapism. Only a great one can pull it off. Man on Fire definitely does not have a complicated plot. There are few surprises and one can easily predict what will happen in the next scene. This film includes the expected sweet little girl, Pita (Dakota Fanning), who is guaranteed to pull at your heart strings. She is adorable, innocent, and all that other mushy stuff. Denzel Washington (John Creasey) portrays the conventional former American secret agent who one upon a time ruthlessly dealt with our country's enemies. Reading the Bible helps to unburden Creasey's guilty soul, but alcohol helps him get through the day. He is traveling through Mexico when a buddy from the old days, Rayburn (Christopher Walken), persuades him to earn some money as the body guard of Pita. Abductions are an everyday event in this one step above a third world country. Corrupt police are a ho-hum reality. The well-to-do are constantly targeted, and Pita's family will be no exception. Criminals grab her, something goes wrong during the exchange of money for the child, and you should be able to figure out the rest for yourself.
Now comes what you really desire to see in this movie: John Creasey exacting revenge on the bad guys. The dude punishes the evil doers in some unpleasant ways. It's gory, brutal---and very satisfying. Gratuitous violence can sometimes be rewarding. Hey, we all can't be another Mahatma Ghandi! Denzel Washington should be considered for an Academy Award for his performance, but this type of a artistry rarely garners such respect and adulation from the Hollywood community.