Man on Fire 2004

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Man on Fire ★★½ 2004 (R)

Slick actioner deploys the effective Washington as a world-weary anti-hero whose mission is to find a kidnapped young girl in Mexico City. Problem is, Creasy (Washington), a former government assassin who admittedly drinks too much, was hired as the bodyguard for nine-year-old Pita (Fanning) and her Mexican businessman father Samuel Ramos (Anthony) and American mother Lisa (Mitchell). The plot thickens as Creasy's investigation into the kidnapping reveals Mexican police involvement (surprise) and government ties. A botched ransom drop sets Creasy off on a rage-fueled rampage through the city. Vet Walken shows up to help goose the plot along as an old military buddy of Creasy's. Though plot comes up lacking, pic is full of non-stop action and gritty style highlighted by an excellent Washington. 145m/C DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD . US Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken, Dakota Fanning, Radha Mitchell, Marc Anthony, Giancarlo Giannini, Rachel Ticotin, Mickey Rourke, Jesus Ochoa; D: Tony Scott; W: Brian Helgeland; C: Paul Cameron; M: Harry Gregson-Williams.