Half & Half... Review on Man on Fire Movie

Stars: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Christopher Walken

Man On Fire is an interesting --- albeit unoriginal --- premise for a film, & one that really relies almost totally on the performances set forth by it's cast.

Director Tony Scott can be accused of letting the film down during the first half of the story, in which an amateurish attempt to define the principal characters comes off as interminably slow, forcing his audience to struggle through a series of languid scenes & dialogue. Fans of a good chase thriller however, would be wise to invest in the film's full length, as the second stanza is one that really picks up the pace & excitement.

Denzel Washington (The Pelican Brief) turns in his most compelling performance since Training Day, as he seamlessly evolves from mild-mannered bodyguard into decimating & utterly ruthless killer, which tackles the less attractive side of what paternal love can drive a person to. In support, & adding weight to the credible acting, are Marc Anthony (In The Time Of The Butterflies) & Radha Mitchell (Pitch Black), whose efforts as the grief-stricken parents of a kidnapped child nicely comprehend the setting of growing desperation.

Man On Fire is at it's worst an exercise in Buddha-esque patience, but at it's best is a gripping & ultimately poignant film that will reward those willing to wait for the pay-off.