An action-drama about a guilt-ridden bodyguard delivering retribution on the kidnappers of his young charge, Man on Fire could have easily deteriorated into the apathetic, stone-faced overkill of a Steven Seagal movie. But it's elevated above archetype by the profound, understated depth of Denzel Washington in the title role and by director Tony Scott's determination to give the story a character-driven soul. A brooding, violent tragedy that spends its first hour building a complex relationship between CIA washout John Creasy (Washington) and the inquisitive, fiercely intelligent, eight-year-old daughter (preternaturally talented Dakota Fanning) of his millionaire Mexican employer, the film finds a riveting focus in Creasy's calm, meticulous rage after he's gunned down during the girl's abduction and becomes--even before he's recovered--an ugly, merciless, unrelenting, blunt instrument of execution. Somewhat undermined by Scott's nonstop, hopped-up-on-crystal-meth-style editing--an attempt to heighten the gritty sense of constant instability and fear--and a bit too much Hollywood convention (leading to plot holes and a copout finale), the raw emotional authenticity of the performances here ultimately prevail, making this a strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentaries (one by director Tony Scott; the other by producer Lucas Foster, screenwriter Brian Helgeland, and costar Dakota Fanning), and a trailer. Bottom line: a talkative extras package for an interesting if flawed film.] (R. Blackwelder)[DVD Review--May 17, 2005--Fox, 2 discs, 146 min., R, $26.98--Making its second appearance on DVD, 2004's Man on Fire: All-Access Collector's Edition features the same commentaries as the last release, but new bonus features on this double-disc set include the 73-minute documentary “Vengeance is Mine: Reinventing Man on Fire,” 14 deleted scenes and an alternate ending with optional commentary by director Tony Scott (33 min.), a multi-angle scene study of “Pita's Abduction,” the music video “Oye Como Va” by Kinky, a photo gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: nice extras, but it's questionable whether this film really needed a "collector's edition" treatment.]
Man on Fire
Fox, 146 min., R, VHS: $50.99, DVD: $29.98, Sept. 14 Volume 19, Issue 5
Man on Fire
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