Release Date: April 23, 2004
MPAA Rating: R for language and strong violence
Directed by: Tony Scott
Starring: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Christopher Walken, Giancarlo Giannini, Radha Mitchell, Marc Anthony, Rachel Ticotin, Mickey Rourke

Plot:
Denzel Washington stars as a government operative/soldier of fortune who has pretty much given up on life. In Mexico City, he reluctantly agrees to take a job to protect a child (Fanning) whose parents are threatened by a wave of kidnappings. He eventually becomes close to the child and their relationship reawakens and rekindles his spirit. When she is abducted, his fiery rage is unleashed on those he feels responsible, and he stops at nothing to save her.

Review:
It seems almost unlikely for three revenge films to be released just one week apart. That is exactly what has occurred though. Just last week, Tarantino released his astonishing second half and conclusion to Kill Bill and Jonathan Hensleigh released comic hero The Punisher. These types of films are risky and can turn out to be on the downside, much like The Punisher.

Luckily Man On Fire does not fall under that trap and it is actually a well put together film. The film is directed by Tony Scott who has an original and creative sense for filmmaking. His past films include True Romance, Crimson Tide, Enemy Of The State and Spy Game. He sure has a resume for thrillers that are very compelling and serves its purpose.

With Man On Fire Tony Scott takes his vision to an entirely new level and while some can find it confusing and repetitive, it certainly adds for extra suspense and thrills. There are times when the editing of Man On Fire gets out of hand and it seems to not be working. It seems Scott's ego was fairly high to make a revenge film that can set itself aside from others and stand among the best.

The way Scott works may have a couple of annoyance's, but he indeed does what he set out to do. His flashy ways of violence and constant flashbacks works in Man On Fire because they are sudden and adds for more suspense without taking away too much duration from the film. Without it, well perhaps it would have been a tad boring and ultimately repulsive for that matter, but it isn't whatsoever.

It's certain, some will not like Scott's style, but it is without a doubt original and intrigues the audience to continue witnessing this solidly entertaining film. If this direction was in any other type of genre besides action or thriller it might not have worked, but for Man On Fire it actually elevated it and provided more interest than it probably would have had without it. So in the end, Tony Scott's direction is a nice touch and one will never bring up the word dull.

Man On Fire's main star Denzel Washington gives arguably his best performance since 2001's Training Day. He has no sense of remorse or giving up in his mission to kill all the men behind the kidnapping. Denzel plays a man who hardly smiles because of his past experiences and just when he begins to begin a friendship with Dakota Fanning, the worst scenarios occur and he become the title of this film.

Remember the name Dakota Fanning because in twenty years she will easily be one of the best actresses around. Its almost stunning how good she acts for a girl at only ten years of age. Adorable as any small child can be, Dakota gives a very good performance in Man On Fire and her character is what the film relies on. As a pair, Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning work very well.

The story of Man On Fire is one that happens more often than one might think. This is a crime that if it were to occur to someone and their family there would be no end to the revenge the relatives of the victim would want. This is where Denzel Washington's character comes in. Walking down the street with Scott's slow motion techniques and Denzel's ultimate look of a vicious killer works for an entertaining piece.

There are times in Man On Fire where Denzel is shot many times. A few times it hardly affected him and he was walking and shooting like it was merely a scratch. The other time was more realistic and he was in a hospital bed and had to rest for about a month. The exaggeration is not much though and coming from Tony Scott, it was bound to happen, but in no way does this affect the film as a whole.

As a whole Man On Fire works and leaves you with a touching and shocking conclusion. Tony Scott is no flash in the pan director and he dishes it out with Man On Fire. Even tears can certainly be shed upon the experience of this film. Its a solidly directed and acted film and its definitely one of the better films you'll see this year.

Man On Fire does an extremely well job as a revenge film. This film captured the audiences emotional side and Kill Bill captured the audiences brutal side. Both films are strong adaptations of this type of genre and Man On Fire has hardly any major flaws that hold against it. A strong film as this one is memorable for time to come and it will leave a mark on who ever witnesses it.