Man on Fire

Director Tony Scott (Top Gun, The Last Boy Scout, and Crimson Tide) has a gift. First, he attracts great talent to work for him. Second, he tells a story in a way that pulls you in and makes you feel very much a part of it. Most his work is the kind of stuff where you may actually stand up and cheer at certain key moments. Man on Fire is no exception.

A significant chunk of Central America's economy is based in the ransoming of people from wealthy families. Some of these families are native, but most are from other countries. This is not news. But every year, this growth industry gets bigger. While this movie is told in that environment, it is not so much about that environment.

Denzel Washington (too many great ones to list here) has worked with Director Scott before, and always with brilliant success. I hesitate to say this is another of the redemption movies I like so well, but there is an element of that. Washington's character is depressed and at a self-esteem low water mark. He is offered and takes a second chance.

Dakota Fanning (War of the Worlds - 2005, and Charlotte's Web - 2006) plays the only daughter of a wealthy family in Mexico. The family hires Washington's character to protect her. See the plot? Yup, the bad guys get her, and he has to get her back.

While the story is really all about Washington's character evolution, there are some wonderful surprise appearances from the likes of Mickey Rourke (Diner, 9 1/2 Weeks, and Angel Heart), and equally oddball Christopher Walken (Deer Hunter, Milagro Beanfield War, and Catch Me if You Can). I always enjoy it when someone I don't expect pops in to spice up a story.

This is a great popcorn movie. Watch it with someone who who needs to reignite their life's mission.