Review of Man on Fire (1987) by Stuart K — 01 Feb 2011

Directed by Tony Scott, and adapted from A. J. Quinnell's 1981 novel, which had been adapted already as a film in 1987 starring Scott Glenn and Joe Pesci. This is a powerful, hyperactive revenge action thriller, using Scott's usual glossy palate, but it's a very compelling story and very exciting too.

Set in Mexico City, it has former Marine John Creasy (Denzel Washington) getting a job with businessman Samuel Ramos (Marc Anthony), through Creasy's old partner Paul Rayburn (Christopher Walken).

Creasy is hired because of the high rate of kidnappings in Mexico City, and he's assigned to protect Ramos' daughter Pita (Dakota Fanning). Pita takes an instant liking to Creasy, the relationship is difficult at first, but they form a bond.

However, one day, Pita is kidnapped in an ambush by a kidnapping syndicate led by "The Voice" (Roberto Sosa), and the ransom drop-off is thwarted by another group called La Hermandad. Creasy vows to find who was responsible for Pita's kidnapping, and goes off on a mission of vengeance into a world of corruption and double-crossing.

Scott brings out a brash, colourful side to Mexico City, but without showing it in a bad light with all the kidnappings. Washington is a hard man in this, but you root for him, it's the best of his films with Scott, and with support from Giancarlo Giannini, Radha Mitchell and Mickey Rourke.