Long and torturous.
Man on Fire (2004)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:153
Fresh:59
Rotten:94
Average Rating:5.2/10
Consensus: Man on Fire starts out well, but goes over the top in the violent second half.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language and strong violence
Runtime: 2 hrs 26 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theatrical Release:Apr 23, 2004 Wide
Box Office: $77,693,136
Synopsis: John Creasy (Denzel Washington) is a lost soul. A former government operative, he has become an alcoholic nomad, searching for inspiration and redemption. An old friend (Christopher Walken) who... John Creasy (Denzel Washington) is a lost soul. A former government operative, he has become an alcoholic nomad, searching for inspiration and redemption. An old friend (Christopher Walken) who lives in Mexico gets Creasy a job as a bodyguard for nine-year-old Lupita "Pita" Ramos (Dakota Fanning), the daughter of Mexican Samuel (Marc Anthony) and his American wife Lisa (Radha Mitchell). Creasy's primary job is to protect Pita from the kidnapping attempts that are an increasing menace to the children of Mexico City's wealthy. A man of few words and many secrets, Creasy initially balks at Pita's attempts to befriend him, but soon a bond grows between the precocious child and this lonely man who is tormented by his past. When Pita is kidnapped despite Creasy's valiant attempts to save her, he will do anything to bring all of those involved to justice. His fury unravels a net of almost unimaginable corruption and greed in the process. Director Tony Scott (TOP GUN, CRIMSON TIDE) builds the relationship between Creasy and Pita in the first half of the film in order to justify Creasy's violent actions in the latter half, and in the process he does a fine job of keeping the film's tension consistently high. [More]
Starring: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Radha Mitchell, Christopher Walken
Starring: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Radha Mitchell, Christopher Walken, Giancarlo Giannini, Marc Anthony, Rachel Ticotin, Mickey Rourke
Director: Tony Scott
Director: Tony Scott
Screenwriter: Brian Helgeland
Producer: Lucas Foster, Arnon Milchan, Tony Scott
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Studio: 20th Century Fox
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Reviews for Man on Fire
This film is a good thriller that could have been toned down a couple of notches.
Denzel Washington is an actor of such magnetic conviction that he could read Schopenhauer to earthworms and probably hold their interest. But in 'Man on Fire' he has to haul around so much guilt and threat and doom that he seems ready to sag from rot.
Trash is trash, no matter how expensive or arty it looks, or how well-acted it is.
What should have been a tight, crisply told narrative becomes a lumbering bore under Scott's self-impressed direction.
The movie is in love with death, and even if that doesn't bother you, you won't be able to stomach the preposterous narrative and visual manipulations that director Tony Scott unleashes in this Tony Scottiest of films.
You'd have to call Man on Fire a mess, but at least it's an interesting mess.
As Man on Fire lumbers to its conclusion, the giddiness wears off and a certain tedium sets in.
A compelling, top-notch film that delivers all the thrills, twists and drama it promises.
This epic-length film delivers the breaktaking action and violence that genre fans require, and does it with gritty realism that drives it home with a thudding, visceral impact.
The movie appeals to baser instincts, and Scott's heavy-handed button-pushing stacks the deck.
If your idea of a bargain is two bad movies for the price of one, then shell out for Man on Fire.
Man on Fire lacks the depth to truly ignite the screen, so instead does a slow, steady burn. It singes beautifully, but never explodes.
Easily the best of the recent spate of cynical and violent revenge/vigilante dramas.
Brain Hegeland's script offers a trio of endings, a bit much for a movie that lasts nearly 2 ½ hours.
Latest News for Man on Fire
May 20, 2009:
Fox International Targets Local Markets ![]()
Looking to drum up new(ish) streams of international income, Fox is planning Russian and Japanese versions of library titles such as "Man on Fire" and "Working Girl." More...
September 24, 2007:
Denzel, Tony Scott to Take Pelham One Two Three
Pelham is about to be taken again -- and Denzel Washington and Tony Scott are doing the taking. More...
May 21, 2007:
Four Directors Up for the Next "Bond" Flick?
Curious to know who'll be directing the next James Bond flick? Join the club. One source has a short list of potential helmers, all of whom would be pretty ... distinctive. More...
November 21, 2006:
Critical Consensus: "Halls" Spreads Little Cheer; "Déjà Vu" Intrigues; "The Fountain" Overflows; "Pick" Is Mixed
This week at the movies, we've got holiday mischief ("Deck the Halls," starring Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito), a phenomenon known as déjà vu ("Déjà... More...
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