Movie review

Man on Fire
Director: Tony Scott
Starring: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Radha Mitchell, Christopher Walken, and Marc Anthony.

"Creasy's art is death, and he's about to paint his masterpiece."

This film is what the "revenge" flick The Punisher was supposed to be. This film is perfectly cast, mind-boggingly shot, and remarkably well-made. The only problem is the MTV-style editing that Scott tries to convey on the viewer. This film is not of the weak of heart as well, it is extremely violent (yes, even more violent than the best "revenge" film this year Kill Bill: Vol. 2). Denzel Washington is John W. Creasy, an alcoholic ex-soldier assigned to be a bodyguard for Lupita "Pita" Ramos. He ignores her at first but can't resist her charms as they become best friends. That is, until she is kidnapped.

For the past six days, there have been 24 kidnappings in Mexico City alone and Pita is one of them. Because of the thought that Pita is dead, Creasy goes on what The Bride will refer to "a roaring rampage of revenge." Oh, and what a rampage it is. Creasy is methodical, exact, and does what he does best, DESTROY the enemy. There are a few twists that I did not expect from this film and that's a great part of this film. What's not great is that the film could have been edited down to exactly two hours rather than 2 hours, 15 minutes.

Washington is remarkable in this great, conveying some sense on sanity while eliminating everyone in his way. Dakota Fanning, who can get annoying sometimes, is decent and tolerable in this film. Radha Mitchell and Marc Anthony give one-note performances as the parents of Pita. And the great Christopher Walken again gives a classic monologue about Creasy that is sharpy written and thoughtout.

Aside from the editing, this violent free-for-all is one great film that deserves to be seen by the livid filmgoer.

Grade: A-