Man on Fire

[Shane Martin]

Denzel has done some crap before but given that he was working with Tony Scott I expected this to be higher grade stuff. I also expected some flashy fast editing and what I got was all of that and much more.

This is a much deeper story than you think. There is a deeper meaning that just a revenge flick.

Excellent supporting cast with Christopher Walken and Mickey Rourke as well as a small role played by Marc Anthony(a latino pop singer).

Video wise: it's hard to knock it. Very sharp picture. No visable EE that I could see. The flashy style and editing that was used made it hard to judge though. Still a gorgeous looking film.

Audio wise: Very very dynamic. LOADS of LFE. Almost too much. Very very active soundtrack.

Beware though, an SE is coming soon so beware if you plan to buy. Fox is going to double dip on this one.

Top notch flick. 8 out of 10.

[theMaximus]

I agree. Both PQ and SQ (DTS) were excellent. On top of that, the movie itself was very well made with exciting plots and good character developments. I'm not a big fan of the camera work in this movie, but the overall quality of this DVD is superb.

[David Meek]

Please tell me it wasn't the "jiggly hand-held camera from hell" treatment! :nonod:

[Shane Martin]

Please tell me it wasn't the "jiggly hand-held camera from hell" treatment!

Oh no. Its just flashy editing that tends to bother some folks. If it was hand held I didn't notice.

[David Meek]

Whew - that's a relief.

[George Bellefontaine]

I am a huge Denzel fan. Got this last week but haven't had time to watch it yet. Shane's report makes it sound pretty good, though. I am not bothered too much by Tony Scott's style, but like Tex, that jiggly hand-held stuff drives me bonkers.

[Azeke]

I saw this at the video store, and wondered if it was worthy of a pickup. Based on your synopsis, I guess it is. BTW, my wife likes Denzel's movie, so it probably is a no brainer for me.

Should I rent it or is it a keeper?

Regards,

Azeke

[Shane Martin]

If you value extra features, a Special Edition is in the works. For me that means RENT.

[George Bellefontaine]

I don't care much about SEs so I bought it. Watched it last night and glad I did buy it. Very powerful ending, too. But Tony Scott's style was in overdrive in this film. A little bit of that quick cutting stuff is okay, but it is way too overdone here. Still, I didn't let that stop me from loving this film. Excellent acting from Denzel, the little girl, Chris Walken... heck, even Jennifer Lopez's new hubby showed he has some acting chops. I'll be watching this again soon.

BTW, great use of LF throughout.

[Danbry39]

Well, I get to watch it tomorrow. Denzel is one of our great actors capable of elevating any picture he's in.

[Andrew Pratt]

We watched this on firday night...very active and immersive sound stage...esp the 6th rear channel:T The plots fairly straight forward and its very violent...though the camera doesn't focus on the gore like it could have. Over all its a good movie and Denzel puts in a great performance but in the end the violence lowered its score with my wife and the other female watching it with us so perhapse take the viewing audience into consideration when you pick it.

[George Bellefontaine]

Know what you mean, Andrew. Joan liked the story line but she found the film itself a little too violent.

[David Meek]

Excellent! Got this one for a BD present. I have to finish painting tonight, so it'll be tomorrow. . . DRAT! The Cowboys (woohoo!) and the Redskins (boo, hiss) are playing on Monday Night Football. Guess it'll be Wednesday. . . .

[Shane Martin]

DRAT! The Cowboys (woohoo!)

I knew there was a reason we get along

[David Meek]

Yessir, I bleed blue. Grew up around Dallas with Dandy Don, Bob Lilly, Roger Staubach, Duane Thomas, Leroy Jordan, Cliff Harris, Harvey Martin. . . .

[David Meek]

A mini-review

I watched this last night. It turned out to be a VERY good movie. Denzel's understated, but nuanced performance just re-inforces my opinion that he's one of the best of the current crop of actors. In addition to the earlier comments about the actors/actresses involved, I have to give props to Radha Mitchell as Pita's mom - quite a good performance. In fact, good performances across the board from a talented cast.

The "Tony Scott" style of editing actually helped this film. It added to the frenetic, disjointed atmosphere of a family in crisis, a man in emotional crisis and the piecing-togther-a-puzzle-on-the-run tale of Creasy's pursuit of the kidnappers. PQ was generally quite good, with some minimal use of filters and high-grain film. SQ was excellent. Good, clean dialog, nice use of the soundtrack to help with the story, good quality foley-work on the weapons, and decent but not overpowering use of the surrounds

With the exception of two scenes, the junk yard, and the shotgun to the hand the violence wasn't any more prevalent or shocking than any other film dealing with a violent story. But, those two scenes do take it over the top.

This is a keeper in my book, but only for the adults among us - no kiddies allowed. It'll be intesting to see what the SE adds to the presentation.

[Fresh_Burn]

This was like a remake of the same titled movie "Man on Fire" with Scott Glenn and Joe Pesci in 1987 same plot just a different acting, or was it copied like it, but upgraded to a better script and acting??

[George Bellefontaine]

Hi, Richard, I'm not familiar with the Scott Glen / Joe Pesci film.

[David Meek]

Scott Glenn played the bodyguard and Joe Pesci played the little girl. :B

[Fresh_Burn]

Hi, Richard, I'm not familiar with the Scott Glen / Joe Pesci film.

This one was around 1987, it was shot somewhere around Italy, funny thing is his name was Creasy in that movie too :roll: :roll: , Scott Glenn was the bodyguard and Joe Pesci played the roll Christopher Walken did. :T

[Fresh_Burn]

Scott Glenn played the bodyguard and Joe Pesci played the little girl. :B

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[George Bellefontaine]

Tex, your a riot. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Azeke]

Good movie, I enjoyed it. The LFE is awesome, good surround panning. Although, my wife may find it too violent for her taste.

Go Skins,

Azeke

[David Meek]

Oh Arman. Didja hafta do that? :?? Go 'Skins?????? Man, the Redskins have been Public Enemy Number One since I can remember. And that goes back to the days of Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgenson. Now that y'all have Joe Gibbs back, this is going to turn back into a great rivalry!
:td:




:T

[Azeke]

Oh Arman. Didja hafta do that? :?? Go 'Skins?????? Man, the Redskins have been Public Enemy Number One since I can remember. And that goes back to the days of Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgenson. Now that y'all have Joe Gibbs back, this is going to turn back into a great rivalry!
:td:





:T

Yes, I had to do it David , it was indeed a great rivalry, I have been suffering for the past 12 years, give or take a few. I guess it'll take a year to rebuild, especially after yesterday's lost to Cleveland, but I have waited this long. Besides when Joe first came to the Redskins he was 0 and 5, and then he had a .500 season, and after that year, it's ......well you know.

Hail to the Redskins :T ,

Azeke

[David Meek]

:wink: :wink:

[Azeke]

Thanks David 8) .

BTW, to stay on topic, my wife stated that she still wants to watch the movie.

Regards,

Azeke

[ht_addict]

My wife really enjoyed this movie.

ht_addict