Movie of the Day: Man on Fire
A standard story directed well: Ex US federal agent (or mercenary?) with a drinking problem takes on the job of a body guard for a girl of a rich young couple in Mexico city, where kidnapping is a daily event. The girl grows on him, becomes kidnapped while he is gunned down and she is reported killed after the transfer of the ransom went bad. Now a complex story of corrupt cops, ruthless gangsters, lawyers and business men unfolds being embedded in the colorful and chaotic scenario of Mexico city. The story takes twists and turns with constant action that keeps you on you tiptoes. Believable characters played convincingly by Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning (the girl) and the others on cast, a believable and almost realistic story (except for the end when melodrama takes over and washes over the otherwise professional criminals and 'good guys'), and a realistic amount of violence and brutality push the movie to its climax. Great action with a meaningful plot - worth 2.5-h watching. (Our score: 8/10)