In 1980, novelist A.J. Quinnell published a novel titled, “Man on Fire.” The story’s about a retired CIA agent named, John Creasy who becomes a bodyguard to a wealthy man’s daughter. At first, Creasy doesn’t want to form a friendship, soon he develops a bond with the girl. One day, gangsters kidnap the girl. Motivated by revenge, Creasy hunts down the perpetrators and find clues to the girl’s whereabouts. In 1987, the book was adapted into a movie starring Scott Glenn. Seventeen Years Later, Ridley & Tony Scott’s production company Scott Free Productions produced a remake starring Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning.
Released in 2004, (same year Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas came out) it received mixed reviews from critics and movie goers alike. Despite divisive reactions, it made enough revenue at the box office. Denzel reunites with Dakota in their latest movie “The Equalizer 3.” Before I watch “The Equalizer Trilogy,” I wanna share my thoughts on this movie.
This review contains no crucial SPOILERS. I’m giving some of you a chance to watch this gem.
Hit & Miss Qualities
Hit: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, (one of my all-time favorite actresses) Christopher Walken, Marc Anthony & Mickey Rourke all did an excellent job for their respective performances.
Tony Scott did a great job directing. He also co-produced the movie. His brother Ridley co-produced the movie uncredited. Courtesy of Scott Free Productions.
Brian Hegeland (L.A. Confidential, Mystic River, Robin Hood 2010) wrote the script.
Action Sequences are full of high-octane moments that’ll keep your adrenaline pumping.
Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) wrote six songs for the movie.
Henry Gregson-Williams (Metal Gear Solid series, Shrek 2) orchestrated the music.
Pacing doesn’t take forever. I was fully invested in the first half before the second half gets serious.
Chemistry between Creasy & Pita serves as the main highlight. As the movie progresses, they form a friendship. This predates Joel & Ellie’s friendship from “The Last of Us.” Also, Lee & Clementine’s chemistry from Telltale Game’s “The Walking Dead.”
Kalfus mentioned Superman. Tony was considered to direct “Superman Returns.” He turned it down, due to scheduling conflicts with “Deja Vu.”
- Fun Fact #1 – During filming, Denzel & Dakota became friends. The former mentioned the latter as one of the best people he’s ever worked with.
- Fun Fact #2 – Dakota’s performance inspired Jenna Ortega to become an actress. She also looks up to Ms. Fanning.
- Fun Fact #3 – This isn’t Dakota’s first rodeo as a kidnapped girl. She played one in the underrated neo-noir crime-thriller “Trapped.” Try giving it a watch.
- Fun Fact #4 – Marlon Brando was offered the role of Rayburn. He turned it down, due to health problems that took a toll on his life. Christopher Walken took over. Before he died, Marlon voiced Vito Corleone in EA’s “The Godfather” and his estate allowed WB to include his likeness and unused footage integrated in “Superman Returns.”
Sam mentioned Pita loves Dracula. It’s funny because Dracula fought Hugh Jackman as “Van Helsing.” By the way, Dracula fought Wesley Snipes in that god awful “Blade: Trinity.”
To prepare for the role as Pita, Dakota took piano lessons, swim and learned how to speak Spanish.
Creasy recovers at a veterinarian’s hospital and mows down low-lives at a nightclub. This predates “John Wick.”
Creasey keeps a list of targets in Pita’s diary. Two characters motivated revenge use a journal to hunt down targets. The Bride from “Kill Bill” & Oliver “Ollie” Queen/Green Arrow in the CW’s “Arrow.”
Man on Fire isn’t the only movie about revenge. Here’s a list of revenge related movies that came out the exact same year. It was a trend back then. Special shout-out goes to “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.” The game involves Carl “CJ” Johnson who seeks revenge on his enemies.
- Walking Tall
- Kill Bill Vol. 2
- The Punisher
- Mean Girls
- Shrek 2
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Spider-Man 2
- The Bourne Supremacy
- Shark Tale
- The Incredibles
- Blade: Trinity
- The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
I have to give Man on Fire credit for influencing The Last of Us, Telltale’ Games’ “The Walking Dead” & John Wick.
A Plot Twist changes everything. Much better than M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village.”
Primary Themes are Friendship, Revenge, Guilt & Redemption. Each one’s handled carefully.
Miss: I can’t take Pita’s name seriously. Why? Because I think of Lois Griffin yelling Peter. Even “The Hunger Games Trilogy” will never live it down for a character named, Pita.
Editing is flashy throughout the whole movie. Edgar Wright managed to edit “Hot Fuzz” without relying on excessive janky editing.
The Final Verdict: B, FOR BREATHTAKING!
Despite two nitpicks, Man on Fire still holds up. I’m baffled critics dislike this movie while they praise the biggest disappointment of 2004 *cough* Prisoner of Azkaban *cough.* Unlike Harry Potter, Man on Fire executed a revenge story going from an intergenerational drama about friendship to a kick-ass action-thriller. Plus, it counts as an example of a good remake.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 