Man On Fire on DVD (2004)

Denzel Washington in his usual form

RON CALVERT from Leicestershire, England , 03/11/2004

As usual with Denzel Washington, you get an engaging story (certainly by action film standards, anyway).

This is not as good as the gripping and thrilling Fallen, my favourite Denzel Washington movie, but it is still well worth watching - assuming violence doesn't put you off. There is a lot of violence, mostly implied and out of shot, but some of it is not left to the imagination. Given the subject matter (a washed up (ex-special forces) body guard working in Mexico City whose charge - a little girl - is kidnapped) I think the violence was inevitable.

The film was perhaps a touch long, which slowed the pace, and occasionally lapses into sentimentality, with one or two aspects to the story which lack credibility, or I would have given it five stars.

Definitely a must see, though.

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Better then your average action flick!

RichtheBadger from Oxon , 16/02/2005

Man on Fire wasn't that well received when it came out, it was criticised for being over-stylish and reviewers felt this got in the way of the plot.

Well, yes the film is very stylish, anyone familiar with Tony Scott previous films, i.e. Enemy of the State will know what to expect, (lots of colour filters, interesting camera work, edgy cuts), and he really has gone for it with Man on Fire, with mixed results.

Washington as normal is top class and Walken does his effortless scene stealing act. One of the best performances of the film is from Dakota Fanning, who in my opinion is one of the best child actors of recent times and a future big star.

On the whole the story/plot is engrossing and entertaining and the action is fantastic, even if it is sometimes a bit hard to swallow. A small criticism is Scott’s arty techniques which distract you in some of the important scenes.

If you like your action films to have edge and be a little bit different then I very much recommend this film!

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More Than Just Revenge

A customer from Lancashire, England , 02/05/2005

This, on the face of it, is just another 'Man Alone' revenge movie. But don't be put off, there's far more to this than the cover blurb suggest.

The chemistry between the two leads and the sensitive and controlled acting of Denzel Washington make this a far more satisfying film than the usual Hollywood Actioner. Yes, there are enough bullets, bombs and violence to keep the most ardent action fan happy but the under-current is a far more subtle tale of trust, 'love' and the redemption of a lost soul.

Watch it, it's worth the effort.

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A customer from EPSOM , 10/10/2004

You simply have to watch this film, it is excellent. A Hitman "troubled" that drinks allot, is hired to protect a young girl (she teaches him to care again). She gets kidknapped and he turns back to the deadly killer that he was to seek her revenge. I know it sounds cheesy but honestly its excellent. It has a really good feel to it, very upbeat.

It is violent, but i hate really gorey films. This is incredibly well done. You feel for the characters. Denzel is amazing but the star really is the young girl. THIS FILM IS NOT TO BE MISSED. I WOULD SAY THE BEST IVE WATCHED ALL YEAR.

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Bittersweet

Alex Lee from London, England , 01/01/2007

Familiar plotline to begin with - washed up ex-special forces soldier slowly drinking himself to death. He takes on a job to protect a young girl who slowly worms her way into his heart. The action really starts with the consequences of her kidnapping and for those of you with weaker stomachs I'd advise looking away. Wasn't sure I needed to see some of the things that happened and felt his method of revenge was somewhat extreme. Denzel is good at these tortured characters and felt the other characters were well cast and acted. They spent a lot of time building up and then seemed to cram all the action into the small portion of the film remaining. A bittersweet ending but well worth a watch.

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Fair

A customer from Luton , 27/09/2005

Why he is on fire I couldn't quite work out. The story is good and the revenge aspect understood. The filming is somewhat odd at times and it is hard to really get close to the characters and feel any empathy. Fair action film but not one to write home about

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