‘Creasy’s art is death and he’s about to paint his masterpiece’
Creasy (Denzel Washington – Training Day ) is an ex-government operative/soldier of fortune but also a lost soul, wandering through life in an aimless and loveless way. Life can hold no pleasure or joy anymore. Through Rayburn(Christopher Walken), a friend and ex-service colleague, he reluctantly goes to Mexico to act as a bodyguard for a wealthy family.Dakota Fanning (I Am Sam ) plays Pita, his charge, a nine year-old daughter suffocating at the hands of her distant business-like parents. She takes it upon herself to win over the almost silent Creasy as a friend and gives him a present of a Saint Jude medallion; the patron saint of lost causes. A role she has taken on herself. Eventually a relationship develops between the two and this gives some meaning back to his life. It seems this little angel has shown him it’s ok to care.
Then events turn dark. Creasy is wounded in a bloody shootout and Pita is kidnapped. Ransom demands are made but things do not seem to go to plan. It’s here that Creasy’s background comes to the fold as he goes on a mission of revenge in order to find and bring back Pita and hurt all those involved.
The rest of the movie follows Creasy through his journey. It's also a journey of his soul.This is where the movie takes off at a different pace and various aspects of it contribute to that feel. The camera work by Paul Cameron (Collateral ) is incredible. Full of hand-held cameras and grainy photography which plays like a schizophrenic documentary with its gritty realism.
Washington excels in this role, playing it with restraint and brutal honesty when needed. The young Miss Fanning also shines through being charming without the saccharine. Both of these actors' performances really do carry this film. Excellent support from the cast too comes in the shape of Mickey Rourke, Marc Anthony, Giancarlo Giannini and Radha Mitchell amongst others.
This was to be Tony Scott’s second movie (after 'The Hunger' ) and with Marlon Brando being considered for the lead but the studios backed out. 22 years later he’s back, and it’s been worth the wait !
The book by A J Quinnell was based on true events set in 70’s Italy but the directing duties then were given over to auteur Elie Chouraqui. In 1987 'Man on Fire' was made starring Scott Glen as Creasy, a completely different type of movie from what we have here, starting with the end with a voice-over narration that was later used to good effect in Scorsese’s 'Casino' .
Brian Helgeland (LA Confidential ) adapted Quinnell’s book but kept it within its Italian setting, it was Scott that took it to modern day Mexico. It is such a glorious backdrop to the story with a helping hand coming from 'City of God' cameraman Cesar Charlone the city looks vibrant and full of colour.
The DVD is well presented, the sound exceptional in both 5.1 and DTS and picture quality in its widescreen ratio is very good indeed. Audio Commentary is given by Scott which is cheerful and technical at the same time. 32 minutes' wealth worth of deleted scenes and an alternative ending all with an optional audio commentary mostly expand on the sexual chemistry between Denzel and Radha but is ultimately unnecessary for the storyline. 'A Look Inside' for John Polson's 'Hide and Seek' completes disc 1.Disc 2 is what makes this the Special Edition. An extensive 72 minute making of comes in the shape of 'Vengeance is Mine' which focuses on many of the technical aspects of filming showing why Scott is called '9 camera Tony' and telling of a bodyguard actually being pistol whipped while out location scouting !
There is a multi-angle scene deconstruction and storyboarding of Pita's abduction with optional commentary.
A stills gallery, 4 trailers and 4 TV spots, 'Oye Como Va' music video by Kinky complete this awesome set.
'Man on Fire' is a blazing action thriller and with its gritty feel stays firmly on the ground.
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