Man on Fire

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Tony Scott
Starring:	Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Christopher Walken
Release date:	01 March, 2005
List price:	~~$19.98~~
Our price:	$16.49 that is 17% off!

Man on Fire

Average rating: Stars

Special Effects Not So Special!

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.

Man on Fire - Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning and more

The best movie I've seen in a long time

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.

Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning and more - Man on Fire

Great Film with Only Minor Flaws

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.