Man on Fire | | Cast : | Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Christopher Walken | | Director : | Tony Scott | | Studio : | Fox Home Entertainme | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound | | Released Date : | April 23, 2004 | | DVD Released Date : | March 01, 2005 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed), English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 07, 2005 | | Summary | Special Effects Not So Special! | Content
 | Here is a case where (in my opinion) special effects ruined what could have been a great film. I am very enthusiatic about the use of special effects when they enhance the quality of a film; and indeed sometimes they are an essiential part of todays movies, but enough is enough! The jolting, jerking around within this film was so distracting I could hardly bear to watch it. The sad part is, someone didn't know where to stop! These annoying interferences went on throughout the entire movie. The plot was not that bad; the story line was interesting, and the movie itself had the potential of being a very exciting thriller. The acting was good; the action was good, and where aptly applied the special effects were very realistic. I have to say I was very disappointed in the film because of all the interruptions, which I put down to very poor editing and some very shoddy attempts to be artsy. Too bad. I would have really liked this one. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 01, 2005 | | Summary | The best movie I've seen in a long time | Content
| I'm a sensitive guy, but I don't have many movies that make me cry at the end. THIS IS ONE OF THEM. I love this movie and would gladly share it with anyone willing to watch. It is a bit sad, but once Creasey goes after the bad guys, it's well worth sitting down and watching. Buy it. You will not be disappointed. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 31, 2005 | | Summary | Great Film with Only Minor Flaws | Content
| Let's face it; the action film, the revenge film, the "good guy killing a million bad guys" film has been done a thousand times...but when you've got actors this good and a director this stylish, the film still ends up being great. Denzel Washington plays an alcoholic ex-military man hired to protect a little girl. After she's kidnapped and presumably killed, Washington goes on a rampage trying to punish everyone involved.
For a story that isn't very original, this movie ended up being far better than I thought it would be. Washington and the other actors are superb; gritty, realistic and mesmerizing to watch. Tony Scott's directing, while it has the frantic, jittery pace of an MTV video, is a great vehicle for telling this violent and somewhat fractured story.
My only real complaints are the 2 or 3 times when characters lapse into the tired old one-liners that seem more fitting for 80s action flicks. Also, like others have complained about, Scott's random use of subtitles---sometimes when the characters are speaking english!---is strange and somewhat distracting. Otherwise, this movie is far, far better than most action/revenge films you'll find out there. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 28, 2005 | | Summary | What a Film! | Content
| Wow. Two of my five top favorite actors in the same film, Denzel Washington and Christopher Walken. I was suprprised to learn that Warner Brothers did this film, as it is remeniscent of a 70s independent film type framing.
Definitely a film for mature audiences, and though I am not a fan of gore and guts, I feel it was done superlatively. Lets face it. The movies of the 21st century are so filled with fantasy, graphics, and animation, that we have forgotten what true artists are able to do. Both Washington and Walken are true to their artform in this film. Raw? Perhaps. Sullen? Sure. But lets face it, the basic "the bad guys get it and the hero win" is classic film legacy.
The only reason I did not give this movie five stars is because when speaking spanish, the subtitles flashed and disappeared before I had much of a chance to read them.
Otherwise, got a two thumbs up! |
| Rating | | | Date | July 27, 2005 | | Summary | Thinks a bit highly of itself | Content
| I have to admit right here that I found the movie annoying. There is much to admire, particularly a stellar cast all doing a great job. I also have a strong stomach (and love stuff like RESERVOIR DOGS, KILL BILL, etc. etc. in which the bad guys are dispatched in "creative" ways) and appreciation for well done violence.
But there were too many things that bothered me...Director Tony Scott's directing style for starters. If you haven't seen it, I can't really explain the jitteriness of it. Most of the scenes have tricky editing, in which the picture jumps around or changes colors, or little snippets of things we've seen in the past are thrown in. I think it's all supposed to make us feel on edge. It works in bits and pieces, but the WHOLE DARN MOVIE!!! Please! The editor, director and cinematographer were having a bit too much fun for their own good. You shouldn't be aware CONSTANTLY that you're watching a filmed image that is being heavily manipulated. I felt constantly pulled away from my efforts to "suspend disbelief." A movie like TRAFFIC, for example, played around with film stock and was a bit "tricky" in the same way. But it actually helped us keep track of the myriad story lines, and at least the camera stayed still!
And despite this gloss of "artistry," the movie is really nothing more than a simple revenge flick...which I have NO problem with by the way. But there are bits of dialogue that try to have great import to them...and there's a recurring bit with a bullet that doesn't fire when expected that's simply too FRAUGHT WITH MEANING to be anything but vaguely laughable. If only the people behind the scenes could have realized that with a cast like they had to work with...they didn't need to work so hard.
As you probably know, the film deals with the "damaged" bodyguard/former assassin Denzel Washington, and his relationship with his young charge, played by Dakota Fanning. She helps make him feel alive again (in some scenes this is done VERY effectively...others are just cloying). But when misfortune strikes, and Washington lets her down in a major way, he goes on a rampage of revenge that makes his character in TRAINING DAY look like a boy scout. He not only is merciless, he seems to revel in coming up with creative ways to kill off everyone involved in the plot. That's all well and good, and is the real reason to see the film.
Washington is very good. His naturally clipped manner works well, and when he dons his sunglasses, he exudes NO friendliness whatsoever. Dakota Fanning is, of course, a fine young performer and is very good here. Rhadha Mitchell plays her mother very well. Marc Anthony is the dad (I won't discuss what happens to him, except to complain that the events Mom sets into motion might be frowned upon by little Dakota later!). Christopher Walken plays an old friend of Washington's...and low and behold, he can still play a "normal" guy. No quirks, no vacant stare. He's engaged in his role and feels like a real person. Not that I don't LOVE his quirky characters, but it's good to remember that he is a skilled actor. Mickey Rourke has a small role that suits him well.
I just couldn't warm up to the film. It's a bit too long for starters...the plot doesn't really required 2 hours and 15 minutes. The ending lacks the emotional kick I'm sure it thought it had. And again, there's the annoying filming style. I won't say "don't see it," but I will say that I think it could EASILY have been a lot better too.
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