Subtle Rage.
"Forgiveness is between them and God. Its my job to arrange the meeting."
Denzel Washington stars as a former merc trying to find life outside the battlefield. To say the man has demons is an understatement. He has one emotional attachment in the form of a best friend played by Christopher Walken. The man has had nothing else in his life besides death.
Walken helps get him a gig as a bodyguard for Dakota Fanning in Mexico City. While there, Washington is brought back to reality by Fanning and he learns that there is a place for him. That's when she gets kidnapped.
Despite the first half of the film, this is not a nice film. This is a violent film. I can't stress enough that while your child will be in your mind when you watch this film, they shouldn't be in the room.
Washington's character is brutaly real. He's not invincible, but he sure as hell is capable of great evil.
Many compare this film to The Punisher and Kill Bill, and while I like those comparisons, those films aren't like this one in terms of violence. There's more killing in those films, but the violence here is much more personal and real.
The acting is really good. Walken has a smaller role, but did not phone this one in like he did in Envy. Washington is probably the most underutilized actor in Hollywood. I believe he's pigeon holed by certain studios and quite honestly the man should be getting bigger roles in bigger films. Dakota Fanning has to get a special nod as she's excellent. I expect her to have a long career in Hollywood if she can avoid the pitfalls over child stars fall into.
The direction is different in this film. I'm not sure it'll be for everyone. For example, subtitles are used at various places, but unlike anything ever done before. You'll see different fonts, effects, and even subtitles on English phrases to show their importance. Also, the film uses jumpy camera work and quick editing to showcase scenes that are off the beaten path of the main character's story. They are a touch annoying at first, but you'll settle in to like them. Picture the alternate story scenes from Run Lola Run only instead of stills, its moving video. Still, none of that takes away from the picture.
Some may complain about the pacing as it starts off slow, but I liked it. I feel that it really let the viewer get to know the characters. In particular was the bond to Dakota Fanning. You can understand her key to unlocking Denzel's emotions and you know exactly what his motivations are when its time to do his thing.
The ending is an interesting choice by the writer as I could have seen them taking it into a different direction, but I like what they did. It pushes aside standard Hollywood endings to fully tell this man's story. It mixes happy and sad and that's sometimes better than a purely happy ending.
It does have some flaws in the story overall, but the film is entertaining and well acted so you ignore that.
I believe parents and people with military backgrounds may bond with this film more than others. Parents for obvious reasons, but the military folk because they may understand whay Denzel keeps laughing at the people who call themselves "professionals".
"Ok my friend. Its time for you to go to the next world. I guarantee you won't be lonely."
8 out of 10.
Man On Fire
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thibodeaux
- Posts: 8121
- Joined: Thu May 20, 2004 7:32 pm
Apparently the director is known for doing it and has increased the frequency. I didn't mind it as much here because I was too busy enjoying the story and acting.
"Happy slaves are the worst enemies of freedom." - Marie Von Ebner
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell