If the content of Man On Fire is anything to go by, Mexico City is a pretty dangerous place.  Kidnappings, it seems, are a regular thing, so it won’t come as any surprise that director Tony Scott’s new film isn’t going to do the country’s tourist board any favours.

Creasy (Denzel Washington) is a washed up ex-marine who is persuaded by his former friend (Christopher Walken) to take on a job babysitting the young daughter of a rich couple.  The snag is that Creasy drinks to forget his bloody past and is finding it hard to keep things together.  Suddenly the worst happens and his life is given a new purpose – bringing the kidnappers of his charge to justice in a very Old Testament way.

Tony is not as visually spectacular as his brother Ridley, but he’s still a fine director and Man On Fire is a good action picture.  Washington is on great form and there is good support from Walken and Radha Mitchell as the kidnapped girl’s mother.  The main problem is the script – it’s simply too long and seems to drag out its ending.  This isn’t Crimson Tide (Scott’s previous collaboration with Washington) and there are some unpleasant moments, but it’s not a bad way to spend almost two and half hours either.

(3½/5)

Release Date: 14 February 2005

Man On Fire