Man on Fire

I somewhat recall seeing the 1987 original with Scott Glenn as Creasy, the role Denzel Washington would reprise in this 2004 version and I can't say as it stuck out as being anything special. Hence, when this one came down the pipeline I was less than enthusiastic to surrender two hours of my life to view it. My bad as they say. This Tony Scott film is one amazingly solid piece of work and perhaps even more so do to some Sunday Christian show I caught whilst nodding off after Corronation Street. It was some hour of power type deal and there was some clean cut Southern boy interviewing Washington and I was quite dumb-struck to discover just how much a man of faith Denzel is. This is important because the character of Creasy is one of a self professed sheep that God lost and this story is as much about his redemption as it is the corruption and moral bankruptcy of others. Sure, there are a few glaring plot problems, the rave hall explosion being one of them but Washington's performance is so strong these can easily be overlooked for the sake of moving the tale along. Scott's music style rapid video editing is perfectly suited for this style of film and it is interesting to note the thematic similarities between MAN ON FIRE and his brother's GLADIATOR...so much so he actually borrows some of the score music. Oddly enough, Tony Scott was supposed to direct the original but was passed over as the studios felt at the time he was not established enough for the job. This may have lit a fire in his belly as this is one of his more passionate pieces of film work. Dakota Fanning is near perfect here and I must say more and more I look forward to seeing her future mature works.....and yes...that is Mickey Rourke as the legal council though you'd never know it from the look of his face. Solid, soul moving piece of work well worth the investment.