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Man on Fire

Man on Fire

2004
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
2h 26m
Denzel Washington stars as a government operative/soldier of fortune who has pretty much given up on life. In Mexico City, he reluctantly agrees to take a job to protect a child (Fanning) whose parents are threatened by a wave of kidnappings. He eventually becomes close to the child and their relationship reawakens and rekindles his spirit. When she is abducted, his fiery rage is unleashed on those he feels responsible, and he stops at nothing to save her. (20th Century Fox)
Your probable score
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Man on Fire

2004
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
2h 26m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 54.18% from 7510 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(7510)
Compact view
Compact view
Rated 14 Aug 2007
61
11th
At no point did Denzel Washingotn set on fire. Disappointing.
Rated 30 Apr 2020
81
37th
I thought it was pretty solid. Quite predictable, but it does a decent job building up its character(s) and the actual action and set pieces are great. Denzel Washington is as stellar as he usually is, and Fanning is pretty good as well. You may not enjoy this if you don't like Tony Scott's films, but I found it to be some really solid entertaining revenge stuff. Also, good pacing, especially for the length. Worth watching for the performance alone.
Rated 26 Feb 2007
92
95th
Denzel Washington is brilliant playing a man full of despair turned into explosive but controlled rage. Walken is great and Dakota Fanning is absolutely amazing and probably the best actress of her age. Tony Scott's disorientating visual style of film making really appeals to me and the soundtrack by Harry Gregson-Williams compliments the film extremely. A great action movie, probably one of the best.
Rated 03 Jul 2019
74
68th
There was a 1987 version with Scott Glenn? Interesting. Anyway, this was good fun. Tony Scott's somewhat over-the-top style genuinely worked for me here, creating mood and helping with the flow of the film - I can see how it might not work for some, though. Denzel gives a nicely controlled performance as the anti-hero, and Fanning is almost unsettlingly accomplished in her role; the interplay between the two is very good. The violent climatic scenes are quite satisfying. Worth a look.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
64th
Dakota Fanning is perfection in kid form. This movie is where I really grew to love her, and I believe she has a long and prosperous career ahead of her. Mr. Washington was great too.:-D
Rated 12 Dec 2009
6
34th
(2nd viewing) Overdone and overwrought. The acting and writing fail to resonate with the story and nature of the film. And Fanning is supposed to be how old ? What kid talks like that ? Also, hearing somebody say 'pocket bread' every 2 seconds is pure cringe. The action and music are neat, but in the end, it's not a good film. Watch 'Léon: The Professional' instead.
Rated 06 Mar 2012
88
90th
Whilst the ending is a little contrived, Scott creates what I think is his best film, with "trade mark" choppy cinematography, creating an energy and intensity that has you on the edge of your seat throughout. The best (and necessary) component of this fim is the fantastic relationship between fanning and Washington during act 1; simply superb. The audio clarity is second to none...every word perfect, which makes act 2, as the action intensifies, easy to follow. Great film, great performances
Rated 04 Jun 2009
5
57th
It's overlong, the script is outrageously hamfisted, and Tony Scott's hyperkinetic style is borderline-nonsensical, but it's hard not to get some of enjoyment out of badass-style Denzel.
Rated 02 Jul 2009
8
82nd
Any movie that has a scene where a guy loads up on guns then goes out and fucks up a bunch of people is badass (see: Terminator 2, Commando, etc.) and this one is no exception. Denzel gives one of his best performances ever and has a really nice supporting cast. My only complaint is that sometimes the cinematography is awful and Tony Scott's style will become just too much to handle. Still, the movie is 2 1/2 hours and it feels like 1, which is a great thing. This movie is badass.
Rated 23 Oct 2011
64
68th
This is what you get when you have a cool story, but an autistic savant with ADD is telling it.
Rated 13 Apr 2011
70
67th
Scott in his right element of not giving a fuck about subtext, but doing all in his power to visually distract us from the fact. The straight-faced joy of vigilante-violence works better in this movie than any other (I can remember) in the genre.
Rated 04 Jul 2009
62
29th
A good first half that devolves into a series of scenes that involve Denzel Washington killing person after person.
Rated 02 Feb 2024
40
15th
Theres a fun movie somewhere under the rubble and jumble, if only Tony Scott Would. Have. Left. The. Images. alone. Oh my god I’ve never seen editing this spastic! I gotta hand it to him, anyone that puts their decidedly awful taste on full display like that has admirable self esteem. I mean that! It sucks for the actors though, who are great, but their scenes constantly freeze and stutter and change contrast and rewind, so i can’t see what they act? I guess it has camp value..
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
97th
You would not expect this kind of greatness from an action film but the emotional connection that Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning build in ths movie makes it totally work Just an awesome movie.
Rated 16 Feb 2020
66
29th
Unmistakably a Tony Scott film with all the good and bad that suggests - if you buy into his hyperactive visual style, this is an exceptionally well-acted domestic drama for about an hour, with Washington and (especially) Fanning bringing real gravitas to an unlikely burgeoning relationship. Becomes dull and redundant once the revenge plot kicks in, with a compromised third act sinking much of the dramatic weight. Still well worth watching as a reminder of how great Fanning was as a child star.
Rated 21 Jun 2015
65
36th
This one suffered for me on a second viewing, and especially after giving "Taken" another shot shortly beforehand. The latter's tissue-thin plot isn't an obstacle, where Man on Fire seems too concerned with garnishes and stalling the action in service of not being the stereotypical 'dumb action movie.' Trouble is, when I'm watching these... that's exactly what I'm looking for. Not a bad flick, but not quite as good as I'd first thought.
Rated 15 Jul 2009
85
72nd
This is the sort of subject matter that actually fits Tony Scott's overwrought directing style. In its uncompromising nastiness, it hearkens back to the great revenge films of the 70s. Hard to watch at points but quite satisfying.
Rated 04 Sep 2012
100
97th
Denzel is the man! This was one of the best movie I have ever seen and one of my favorites. Man On Fire has a beautiful story line of Redemption entwined with all the ass kick-in action you could want. Denzel has a confidence in himself that comes alive on the screen, making his characters larger than life, even when he is playing a character that is broken like Creasy. In fact, Denzel has that common thread in the way he plays all his characters confidence in their ability.
Rated 16 Sep 2017
70
71st
M.O.F is anchored by Washington's strong performance as a man with a blood thirsty desire for revenge, and by Scott's formal inventiveness, which transforms a rote redemption story into a compelling cinematic experience. While his stylistic tics can be distracting--the symbolism is overwrought--they enhance the material more often than they ruin it, conveying the frenzied state of Creasy's psyche and the escalating tension of his predicament. With a better script this could have been special.
Rated 29 May 2008
86
92nd
Some serious, and awesome revenge action, good acting, and great writing. I loved Denzel's character, he really brings something to that table that others could not.
Rated 18 Mar 2007
61
28th
Man on Fire takes itself too seriously for me to take it seriously. A lot of the movie is just too dramatic for its own good.
Rated 06 Feb 2007
67
56th
Denzel Washington gives a strong performance as Creasy, but i did not like the way it was directed at all. A better script could have made this a winner.
Rated 20 Mar 2007
87
90th
Vastly underrated. Talk about dark and brutal. Top-notch direction, one of Denzel Washington's best performances, and the dialogue oh-so memorable. Dakota Fanning and Christopher Walken also have great work here, though this one runs a bit too long.
Rated 28 Sep 2010
8
80th
Tony Scott and his directing style can get a little nauseating at times (Its like handy cam on crack). Not like it doesn't fit the film however. Denzel is simply dominant in this and everyone else is good too. Changes pace completely halfway through and was completely welcome.
Rated 02 Sep 2012
25
7th
Extraordinarily bloodthirsty revenge fantasy that is essentially a torture film done in the style of a music video. Displaced fathers are more virtuous than actual ones, but they must all be (self-)sacrificed; mothers are little more than symbols authorising the paternal combustion. Although the whole turgid narrative is exceedingly calculated, the why-go-on-living-in-this-godforsaken-world theme, while utterly conventional, does beg certain questions, given who was responsible for the film.
Rated 01 Dec 2008
0
1st
God how I hate this movie. This film alone contains almost everything that pisses me off in bad movies. Gimmicky direction, obnoxious actors (the intolerable Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington in yet another obnoxiously self-righteous role - he started that in Philadelphia and it was annoying already then), and rampant imperialism towards "inferior countries" (but writing "Our thanks to the amazing city of Mexico" in the end credits makes it all okay, doesn't it?)
Rated 02 Jun 2013
61
30th
Awkwardly pushes two films together - an intimate and morally ambiguous thriller about relationships and politics (which would have been good, and also justified the film's slow methodical pacing) and something like Death Wish on amphetamines. Rectal explosives. Denzel handles both sides of it really well - better than the film does on a whole overall. It's got some nice cinematography too, but it feels too disjointed, and the plot suffers because of the tonal shift too much.
Rated 21 May 2019
8
1st
The ultra-noisy and visually hideous style make this unwatchable by civilized folk. It's the logical end-result of an entire generation brought up on violent video games. Mickey Rourke is the only one whose presence cuts through the--what to call it? Onslaught of stimuli--I certainly don't recognize this as movie-making. Alas, it's Denzel who is always onscreen. At least he's competent (yes, this could have been even worse!), though I have never understood all the accolades lavished upon him.
Rated 15 Feb 2014
76
67th
I liked this gritty little Denzel Washington action film. I liked Dakota Fanning's character. The movie works better than most in this genre.
Rated 08 Dec 2010
80
78th
This might be the only role for a child Dakota Fanning that she didn't annoy the hell out of me. That being said she completely takes a back seat to the badassitude of Denzel. There's something about 1 guy kicking a bunch of ass that can be so very appealing. The only problem with this movie is Tony Scott trying way too hard. He makes everything super stylized, and it's while it's not always bad stuff it's WAY overused and adds roughly 20 minutes of nothing to an already long movie.
Rated 05 Apr 2011
85
93rd
Tony Scott's adaptation of the popular Italian novel moves the story into modern Mexico. Man on Fire is a tale of two films - an emotional character driven drama led by a career making performance from Dakota Fanning and later a sleek and visually stunning action flick driven by typical Denzel Washington ferocity.
Rated 02 Sep 2008
90
89th
I think this film is a modern existential masterpiece. If every heavily-processed, ultraviolent, grainy and dirty moment is being filtered through Creasy's mind, Man On Fire becomes a poignant search for redemption and truth in a world truly devoid of empathy. Or I could be reading way too much into it. Either way, I can always watch the film and get more out of it in each viewing, which should be the mark of a good film anyway.
Rated 18 Feb 2007
4
70th
Not enough action films are unapologetically melodramatic.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
77
70th
The promising beginning is let down by a lack of plot in the middle, prefering to showcase thuggery and violence. However, the final part of the film manages to reel the viewer back and you forgive most of the dumbfoundedness - I actually like it! Must mention Dakota Fanning who is brilliant in this picture.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
84
89th
I'm not usually a Scott fan, but I like this movie a lot. His heavy handed cinematography works perfectly here, & only adds to the story and effect this movie has. For me this remains one of the best action/thrillers of the decade. Denzel and Fanning are excellent & are backed up by a solid support cast. I also like the way this is a movie of two halves. The change in style, pace and intensity in the film's second half is brutal. So few films mix blood & guns with a solid plot and characters.
Rated 21 Dec 2013
67
52nd
About as subtle as a grenade up a butt.
Rated 21 Jun 2012
65
16th
The unusual visuals and editing are certainly the highlights of Man on Fire, and although they at points they feel as though they are trying too hard, I suspect that has more to do with the age of the film more than anything else. The plot of the film is rather heavy-handed and in general far too complicated - although the former half of the film draws the relationship between Washington and Fanning remarkably well. At 2½ hours, though, the film doesn't come near justifying its length.
Rated 23 Feb 2010
3
32nd
Another headache-inducing masterpiece by the great Tony Scott
Rated 18 Mar 2019
55
44th
A guilty pleasure. It surely is gritty and tense, and the cast is great, though I expected maybe a little bit more story-wise from the writer of Payback and the director of Enemy of the State.
Rated 18 Aug 2022
67
25th
Predictable, overly sappy in the first half, and possibly likely to cause seizures with its editing style, there isn't much that works especially well for this movie to stand out among revenge movies. Denzel is fine, Walken even manages a good turn in his role, and Fanning delivered a great performance, but the writing did the movie little favors, especially with that really tacked on ending. Decent motivation to watch, but ultimately a disappointing action thriller.
Rated 23 Jul 2016
57
14th
Woulda ranked higher if not for all the Tony-Scott-ness going on.
Rated 08 Apr 2020
33
31st
What starts as a boring kidnapping drama turns into a over-stylized and boring machismo revenge flick. This is only marginally better than the dozen or so other revenge stories featuring Denzel Washington.
Rated 29 Apr 2012
78
66th
Denzel has his ups and downs. Man on Fire is a big up. Tony Scott captures the anti-hero well as he unloads against Mexico City. Say what you will about Scott's MTVish style of editing, but when it works it is awesome.
Rated 24 Jan 2009
37
3rd
Moments of well considered direction of Washington sadly eclipsed by a mountain of awful cliche. From IMDb: 'Robert De Niro, Tom Cruise, Will Smith and Bruce Willis were offered the role of Creasy. They have all previously worked with director Tony Scott.'
Rated 27 Feb 2008
82
95th
One of the best Denzel movies yet.
Rated 17 May 2011
39
14th
Man on Fire starts out well, but goes over the top in the violent second half.
Rated 21 Sep 2015
88
50th
1
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
73rd
Suprisingly poignent. I liked this character and the ending was sad. I think they could have very quietly franchised this.
Rated 25 Jul 2011
7
79th
Mexicans on fire, and shot up, and blown up and punched in the face a whole bunch.
Rated 21 Feb 2013
60
24th
The editing and camerawork were really annoying, however overall it was a guilty pleasure.
Rated 13 Feb 2008
75
85th
really good, very fast and entertaining action movie
Rated 09 Sep 2021
60
32nd
The melodramatic moments with the kid are too much for me. Especially when you put a grimy filter all over it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
73rd
Triumph of style (and epilepsy).
Rated 16 Sep 2007
45
25th
Fanning and the pace of the film bore you to death. Everything else is good.
Rated 20 Jan 2009
87
73rd
Beuatiful movie. Denzel Washington is very believable as always and what to say about Dakota Fanning. Unbelievably talented. Very touching movie. Great suspense. Very good stuff.
Rated 10 Nov 2007
76
88th
I normally don't like his movies, but I thought this had a nice edge. After she is kidnapped he go all out, and drops any kind of morals or nice guy crap.
Rated 17 Apr 2011
85
93rd
excellent revenge movie
Rated 30 Nov 2010
75
28th
Solid film. Worth a watch. Acting is excellent. First half of the story is quality. I found myself a little let down by the ending, but the American wife who liked the Mexicans money had nice perky tits.
Rated 17 Jun 2009
75
79th
Angry Denzel almost in Bronsonesque form with his mission seeming like a death wish, as he goes about saving the young girl in his care.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
97th
Fantastic.
Rated 11 Apr 2009
70
49th
Borders on style-over-substance too much, but otherwise Washington carries the entire film on his back.
Rated 13 Jun 2011
71
42nd
first two-third of the movie was good...last third of the movie lacked what the first two-thirds brought.
Rated 27 May 2022
60
35th
Denzel and Dakota are perfect for their roles and I like the relationship they build in the movie. I appreciated the time that was put into making this happen, even if the movie itself is just way too long. What I could not stand was the camera and editing. It's like the movie is made for folks with 0.25 second attention span and the stupid choices for slow-motion shots or the bim-bam-boong ooh look at this the camera is all wonky -bullshit took me right out of the story, each and every time.
Rated 26 Aug 2018
60
39th
bu tarz manik denilebilecek çekimler ve bir kurgu aracılığıyla anlatıyı dağıtmayıp *eli yüzü düzgün* bir film çıkarabilmek tony scott'ın en iyi başardığı işlerden biri. böylesi bayağı bir hikayeyi en azından sürükleyici bir seyirliğe çevirmek de kendisi dışında çok az ana akım yönetmenin başaracağı bir iş.
Rated 20 Sep 2010
95
95th
Denzel at his best. A fantastic revenge film with intense action and lots of murder.
Rated 19 Jul 2009
60
33rd
You can watch this movie once.. Nice thriller sequences and good acting by Washington
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
55th
Great intensity, depth, and emotive acting, fabulous editing and directing. Maybe best Tony Scott movie ever.
Rated 10 Nov 2008
90
80th
fantastic action shots, the multiple endings were the DBs for me
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
40th
ADD Crime Thriller by eye ball hater Tony Scott.
Rated 12 Jul 2008
56
26th
Too long, too boring. Some pointless sub-plots.
Rated 22 Sep 2010
72
86th
I thought this was a pretty effective testosterone revenge film. It isn't fancy for sure, but there is some nice action and genuinley mean spirited violence.
Rated 13 Feb 2009
3
74th
Jump in a tub!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
11th
Overated because of Washington. Ending has good twist though.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
70th
sick soundtrack
Rated 14 Aug 2007
74
53rd
I really enoyed this film
Rated 11 Feb 2008
9
6th
This movie is completely twisted. Man is resquing a girl child like a big lover.
Rated 02 May 2010
70
28th
Too long, but the vigilante action was enjoyable.
Rated 19 Aug 2007
82
70th
surprisingly intense and compelling. i never pegged tony scott as a overachiever.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
55th
If you dig the A.D.D. style Tony Scott is throwing down here you'll have a blast otherwise you might get motion sickness.
Rated 02 Jun 2008
80
81st
Good.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
92
89th
This highly compelling story - with great acting and action sequences - is marred somewhat by Tony Scott's pointlessly frenetic directing, which is distracting enough to bring this movie down from being truly excellent.
Rated 29 Oct 2008
50
8th
More reason to dislike Denzel. Shaky post-processing effects and editing are also so far over the top they depressurized.
Rated 13 Nov 2007
98
72nd
Denzel Washington turns in a powerhouse performances, tough jagged and bent by life's tragedies he sets out and achieves redemption for the little girl who clings to him desperately.
Rated 02 Feb 2008
71
28th
Kind of a forgettable action film but that's not to say it is bad. It just doesn't offer anything new. Denzel Washington attempts to hold all teh broken peices together but it just doesn't work.
Rated 19 Aug 2007
95
98th
Wow! One of Denzel's best performances ever!! I bought this one.
Rated 26 May 2009
80
53rd
80
Rated 09 Jun 2009
85
63rd
Denzel being a bit naughty in this film as a bodyguard looking for a girl that he was guarding. Action-packed just how I like it
Rated 23 Sep 2008
85
80th
Your heart be nurnt with revenge , the fear burst into tears , the body shatter with bomb. Perhaps the best Fact Movie I've ever seen.
Rated 21 Dec 2009
65
8th
Ho hum thriller.
Rated 25 Dec 2008
75
43rd
above average, quality Denzel performance
Rated 14 Jan 2010
45
11th
I usually don't complain about the editing and look of films, but the presentation ruined the film for me.
Rated 21 Sep 2018
70
26th
Passable revenge movie.
Rated 23 May 2011
66
74th
Revisited (2)
Rated 17 Apr 2009
90
94th
This movie is sweeeet!
Rated 14 Apr 2008
98
69th
Probobly Denzel's best acting since MALCOLM X....
Rated 10 Jun 2009
70
75th
Burned out agent revives for a kidnapped girl.
Rated 25 Oct 2012
84
92nd
* Casting, Acting : 9.5 * Script : 8 * Directing, Aura : 7.5 * Ease of Viewing : 8.5 * Naked Eye : 8.5
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
24th
A great story with an excellent Denzel Washington - just a little bit more editing... and could achieve a 95 :-)
Rated 29 Aug 2017
50
23rd
Washington and Fanning are excellent, and their screen time together is where the film shines. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of time where they aren’t onscreen together, which really drags the film down. Scott’s direction and the annoyingly messy editing don’t do it any favors either. This legitimately could’ve been a great film, it just has a few too many missteps.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
42nd
Wasn't anything special, but I like a movie where a man gets C4 shoved up his ass.

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