Man on Fire (2004) Movie || Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Christopher Walken || Review & Facts

e e e e e e e e e e e e how are you guys guys this is not a movie this is a full detail review and fact video about this movie if you want to know about this movie then you must like this video because in today's video we will tell you what is its story which actors and actresses have worked in this film the director producer cameraman of this film is going to talk about them in detail we will talk talk about the post-production pre-production budget and filming of this film The starcast of the film will also give details about The Supporting Cast and production guys if you want to know about this movie you must watch this video you will find all the details of this movie in this video what is the story of this movie If you like this video then share it with your friends and subscribe our Channel Man on Fire is a 2004 American action thriller film directed and produced by Tony Scott from a screenplay by ran helgeland and based on the 1980 novel of the same name by AJ quinnel Denzel Washington portrays John crey a despondent alcoholic former CIA sad soog officer turned bodyguard who goes on a Revenge Rampage after his charge 9-year-old Lita Peter Ramos Dakota Fanning is abducted in Mexico City The Supporting Cast includes Christopher wakin Roda Mitchell Jan Carlo janini Mark Anthony Rachel ticketan and Mickey RK Quinn's novel had previously been adapted into a feature film in 1987 which was also produced by Arnon milchin helin's screenplay moves the story setting from Naples Italy to Mexico City the film was released in the United States by 20th Century Fox on April 21st 2004 it received mixed critical reviews but was a commercial success grossing $130 million worldwide against a production budget of $607 million in 2003 former Force Recon marine and CIA sadsa officer John crey visits his old friend Paul Raburn in Mexico Raburn convinces him to take a bodyguard position with Samuel Ramos a Mexico City automaker whose young daughter Lupita Peter requires a bodyguard for her kidnapping insurance policy to take effect struggling with alcoholism burnout and guilt over his actions with a CIA crey tries to commit suicide but his gun misfires he is reminded by Raburn of their saying a bullet always tells the truth and begins to consider that he was not meant to die seemingly revitalized czy commits to his Newfound purpose as peta's protector reducing his drinking and finding comfort in the pages of his Bible he begins coaching Peta to become a more confident swimmer bonding with her through the process one afternoon while waiting outside peta's piano lesson czyy recognizes a car that followed them earlier as two Federal policemen block the street realizing that Peta is about to be abducted he kills four of the attackers including the officers but is CR critically wounded and Peta is taken czy is declared a suspect but reporter Mariana Garcia Guerrero questions the story ay agent Miguel Manzano relocates a recovering czy to a Veterinary Clinic to protect him from corrupt police The Voice the Unseen leader of the kidnapping ring Demands a $10 million Ransom and Samuel complies with the help of police Lieutenant Victor Fuentes however the kidnappers are ambushed at The Ransom drop and the Voice's nephew is killed holding the Ramos family responsible The Voice informs them that Peta will be lost to them forever as retribution Manzana warns Cy that the kidnappers belong to a powerful Brotherhood called La hermandad that consists of corrupt officials police and criminals czy makes a promise to peta's Mother Lisa to kill everyone involved in the kidnapping with raburn's help Cy obtains a small arsenal of weapons and equipment he brutally interrogates and kills the getaway driver who points him to a club where he confronts three of the kidnappers killing two criminal middlemen czyy recovers an incriminating ATM card and another kidnapped girl he turns both over to Guerrero who reveals that Fuentes is part of the Brotherhood Manzano interviews Raburn who describes czy as an artist of death about to paint his Masterpiece Guerrero convinces Manzano to help czyy wage war against the kidnappers waying Fontes say motorcade with a rocket propelled grenade czyy abducts the officer who admits that he had his officer's ambush push the ransom drop but discovered afterward most of the ransom money had already been stolen by Jordan calus Samuel's lawyer after killing Fuentes with a bomb in his rectum czy searches calus's home and finds his decapitated corpse and aax with bank account information leading to Samuel crazyy confronts Samuel and Lisa and Samuel confesses that calus suggested they arranged the kidnapping to claim the insurance payout to settle his father's debts though they were promised PTO would be returned unharmed when Fuentes interfered with the drop Samuel blamed calus for peta's death and murdered him Lisa now aware of Samuel's involvement angrily tells czy to kill her husband or she will he leaves Samuel a gun and the same bullet he attempted suicide with and a guilt ridden Samuel commits suicide Guerrero and Manzano trace the ATM card to the Voice's wife and find her address allowing Manzano's officers to infiltrate her home and obtain a photo of the voice despite the brotherhood's threats Guerrero publishes the photo and passes the address on to crezy taking the Voice's wife and his brother Aurelio prisoner crezy is shot in the chest but learns the ring Leader's real name is Daniel Sanchez he calls him and threatens his family but Daniel reveals that Peta is alive offering to trade her for his brother and for Cy which he accepts instructing Lisa to join him at the exchange Cy reunites with Peta in the middle of an overpass assuring her that he loves her before sending her to her mother he and Aurelio are taken by Daniel's men but czy succumbs to his wounds Manzano tracks Daniel down later that day and shoots him dead during the course of arrest Tony Scott's Man on Fire employ superb craftsmanship and a powerful Denzel Washington performance in an attempt to elevate genre material above its natural level but it fails the underlying story isn't worth the effort at first were seduced by the jagged photography and editing which reminds us a little of city of God and 21 G where absorbed by Washington's character an alcoholic with a past he cannot forgive himself for and we believe the relationship he slowly develops with a young Mexico City girl he's hired to protect but then the strong opening levels out into a long series of action scenes and the double reverse ending Works more like a gimmick than a resolution the screenplay is by Brian helgeland whose work on Mystic River dealt with revenge in deep painful personal terms but this time action formulas take over the hero outshoots and outsmarts half the bad guys in Mexico City he seems to be homeless yet has frequent changes of wardrobe and weaponry even producing a shoulder-mounted missile launcher when necessary and as he plows his way through the Labyrinth of those responsible for kidnapping the girl the body count becomes a little ridiculous and Washington's character who seemed very human begins uncomfortably to resemble an invulnerable superhero sure he gets shot now and again but can you walk around Mexico City as an accused cop killer and outgun professional Killers indefinitely when it seems that everyone who could possibly be killed is dead and the movie must surely be over there's another whole chapter we count those still alive and ask ourselves if the law of economy of characters applies that's the one that says a movie contains no unnecessary characters and so the otherwise unexplained presence of a star in a seemingly insignificant role will be richly explained by the end all of this is true and yet the movie has real quality Denzel Washington creates a believable sympathetic character here a character complex enough to deserve more than fancy action scenes even the last scene involving his character is a disappointment there's a moment when one thing and one thing only should happen to him and it doesn't and the movie lets him and us down gently Washington plays czyy whose resume includes anti-terrorism he's fallen on Hard Times drinks too much and travels to Mexico for a reunion with his old military buddy Raburn Christoph for walking do you think God will forgive us for what we've done czyy asks Raburn no says Raburn me neither says czyy rer has a job for him acting as a bodyguard for Mexico City industrialist Samuel Ramos Mark Anthony his American wife Lisa Radha Mitchell and their daughter Peta Dakota Fanning at the job interview crazy is Frank about himself I drink Ramos is able to live with this information but advis is crazy to tell nobody especially Mrs Ramos as we think back back over the film this conversation will take on added importance crazyy keeps his distance on the job Peta wants to be his friend he explains he was hired as a bodyguard not a friend but eventually he bottoms out in his despair begins to love the little girl and becomes her swimming coach Marine style these scenes have a real resonance after she is kidnapped the movie goes through the standard routine police called in telephones tapped Ransom drop arranged but with additional local color since s Duty Mexico City police were apparently involved in the snatch and czy feels surrounded by vipers Raburn may be the only person he can trust at the Ramos home Samuel negotiates with the kidnappers gets advice from his family lawyer Mickey RK and consults with the head of the anti-kidnap squad who is a busy man if the movie is correct in its claim that someone is kidnapped in Mexico every 90 minutes czy meanwhile depends on a Plucky journalist named Mariana Rachel ticketan and she depends on an interpole expert named Manzano Jan Carlo janini as the net and the cast widen we begin to wonder if anyone in Mexico City is not involved in the kidnapping in one way or another or related to someone who was Man on Fire has a production too ambitious for the foundation supplied by the screenplay it plays as if Scott knows the plot is threadbear and wants to patch it with an excessive style he might have gotten away with that in a movie of more modest length but Man on Fire clocks in it close to 2 and a half half hours and needs more depth to justify the length too bad because the performances deserve more Denzel Washington projects The Bleak despair he's revealed before and his character Arc involves us Christopher Watkins supplies another of his patented little speeches C's art is death he's about to paint his Masterpiece Dakota Fanning Uptown Girls is a pro at only 10 years old and creates a heart winning character ticketan and janini Supply what is needed when it's needed there are scenes that work with real conviction the movie has the skill and the texture to approach greatness but Scott and helgeland are content with putting a high gloss on formula action Tony Scott's yucky new thriller is a shrill and sentimental bloodbath poana meets The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Denzel Washington plays a heavy drinking EXs soldier who snags a job in Mexico City as bodyguard to a little girl whose Rich parents fear kidnappers she's 10-year-old Dakota Fanning a child actress so scarily self-possessed she makes jod Foster at the same age look like Bonnie Langford naturally the little blonde might redeems lonely Denzel with her artless charm and when she is abducted by a coalition of burial gangsters and corrupt cops the great man hunts down everyone involved with one thing on his adult mind to find out who is responsible by opening up a gigantic can of ass he tortures everyone from the minions to the kingpins chopping off fingers sticking Dynamite up people's asses this gets gratifyingly immediate and accurate in intelligence unlike in certain Cuban or Iraqi prison camps we could mention and without dents ever needing to hurt anyone but ugly and overweight bad guys Scott's slick technique is overwhelmed by the sheer fatuous dishonesty of this Macho quest with Magnificent ephy the final credits give a tremulous thank you to Mexico City for being such a special place it certainly looks like it okay this certainly wasn't the best movie I've seen in August but I probably enjoyed it the most in many anyways it's quite bad very cliche and predictable and all that but Denzel Washington was as awesome as always love him and yeah I fell for the cheesy friendship that was so obviously going to form between him and Dakota Fanning the young girl he's hired to protect as she's in danger of being kidnapped the movie did that very well though and spent a long time showing their growing relationship and making us care about them instead of diving straight into the action they had great chemistry which helped make up for the characters of her parents play by Roda Mitchell and markk Anthony being a bit rubbish but it's hard to live up to Denzel's massive star power so it's impressive that the very young Fanning held her own against him where most the adult actors couldn't Christopher wakin was also good as always as Denzel's old friend in this but I'd have liked to see much more of him as well as finding out more about their shared tragic past and what has made Washington's character so broken so yeah great development of the Denzel Dakota friendship but really would have loved to have found out much more about Washington's character this movie is very much two movies the first half sets up the characters and friendship while the second half is Denzel going on a bloody violent Revenge fueled murderous Rampage oh boy he was pissed off so that was fun and exactly what people like in a Revenge Thriller I actually finally decided to watch this after seeing a Twitter thread showing movies with very different audience and critic scores audiences loved Man on Fire and critics hated it always find that fascinating now see why there's the difference on this one no it's not a good movie as I said it's very cliche and predictable and a little cheesy it's also fun and has some great characters plus who doesn't love a good Revenge Thriller I'm a whuss with violence but find I can stomach it a bit more when it's for a good reason wanted Denzel to kill all those evil bastards and Denzel gives his all in this he's not one of these good actors who just phones it in when he's not in one of his more Oscar worthy films it's why I've never paid much attention to reviews from professional critics are movies not allowed to just be enjoyable sometimes I enjoyed this it had exactly what expect from an action thriller plus it actually gave us far better characters than what we get in a lot of other films in this genre admittedly though Denzel as well as Dakota are what really make this one work don't think the movie would be as popular with a different lead actor Denzel was perfect for this film alcoholic mercenary czyy Washington is all washed up until his friend Walkin finds him a job in Mexico City as bodyguard for a rich family's little girl Peta Fanning the taciturn man and melano girls slowly develop a strong bond that is utterly shattered the day that Peta is kidnapped and that negotiations are sorely mishandled Man on Fire is title works against it it proclaims an adrenaline fueled action film when in fact what we get is very different what could be mistakenly thought to be a prologue czyy is introduced meets Peta and the relationship is shown constitutes a good half of the film's running time Washington and fing are on top form the former tortured and angry and the latter endearing without being cloying so it is a tribute to Scott and screenwriter helgeland that the film takes its time showing their odd relationship this makes things all the more hurtful and outraging when she is captured in a kidnapping that leaves czyy severely scarred both emotionally and physically the film earns its title in the second half not because of non-stop action which it for goes in order to give us something more pondered and cruel but because czyy is literally Ablaze with silent Fury as he hunts down anyone who participated or profited from peta's kidnapping dismantling rings of Mexico City's Tower of corruption his methods get bloodier while his movement actually gets slower czy races Against Time and his own likely death as a tragic figure whose Newfound reason to live has been taken away from him the performances are fine with great turns from the two leads and superb supporting turns by the the always reliable Christopher wakin and giant Carlo janini what sometimes attracts from the film's quality is Tony Scott's now signature messy visuals while some shots are magnificent reminiscent of brother Ridley's work some are almost trashy and epilepsy inducing some unnecessary hyper MTV editing the man redeems himself by handling his actors with care superbly illustrating his environment and creating a stark atmosphere Man on Fire opened in the US on April 23rd 2 4 in 2980 theaters and gross 22 m751 $490 with an average of 7634 and ranking no one at the box office the film's widest release was 2986 theaters and it ended up earning 77,78 in North America and 52 m381 940 internationally for a total of 13, 2937 $14 worldwide against its1 6070 million production budget the film was successful in the US Home Video Market grossing more than $123 million in DVD and VHS rentals and sales in us when crey is talking to the voice on the roof the cell phone changes between three different Motorola phones in the kidnapping scene the driver of the kidnapper's car reverses into the taxi at relatively high speed which would have caused easily visible damage when the kidnapper picks up up pea and the car is driving away the back end is clearly visible and is 100% intact when czy is standing on the bridge before taking his final walk there is a shot which shows his St Jude Medallion hanging visibly outside his shirt but after a cutaway he is next shown pulling The Medallion out when czy is Under the Bridge with Fuentes he takes the latex glove off of his left hand he then walks around the car and takes the left glove off again when czy and Raburn are driving in r 's truck czyy hands Raburn a list of the weapons he wants the page is torn from peta's Diary which czyy has not yet collected captioning mistranslation Fuentes tells Samuel that he has been authorized to participate ex officio and the caption translates this as unofficially however ex officio means by virtue of the office in this case Fuente's position in the anti-kidnapping division despite being a relatively common Trope in movies an experienced Soldier would never fire an RPG indoors the back blast would likely kill everyone inside the confined space of that living room where hot gases would be deflected by the walls and ceiling at the very least the ancient couple the birds and Denzel's character himself would have been severely injured the kidnappers instruct Ramos to wait for a call in a public pay phone in avenor reforma Mexico City ldal card payones can't receive calls and more specifically the phone shown in the movie where the instructions are supposedly posted is the regular kind which can't receive calls after Samuel Ramos shot himself with crazy's bullet the gun can be seen on the floor with the slide locked in the open position that would only happen if an empty magazine was inserted into the gun but czy had removed the magazine beforehand and Samuel loaded the bullet manually into the chamber after firing the single bullet the slide would close forward again the misfired bullet czyy carries around with him shows a circular dimple in the primer this bullet would not have come from his Glock since the this pistol leaves an oval-shaped indentation Mariana tells czy that Fuentes is more heavily guarded than the president and travels by motorcade it would stand to reason that since he has money and influence the car he travels in would be armored and with bullet resistant glass czy doesn't shoot through the car at any time it clearly shows bullets hitting the windshield but not entering the vehicle if they had both occupants would have been killed czy knows this and then tosses a f pyro grenade under the vehicle this causes the driver to exit the car and only then does czyy shoot him after czyy frees the young Mexican girl and walks out onto the Dance Floor shooting the crowd doesn't panic or begin any other rational action they just keep dancing and working their way toward the door and once they're outside they continue dancing at a safe distance outside the dance hall until and even after the dance hall explodes no one is in fear they just keep dancing and cheering it is a rave party in Mexico after all intoxication the mental confusion induced from the music and lights and the close relations with guns in that society would not create a state of alertness or danger no one visibly died either the patrons were coralled outside before the explosions so there was no sense of danger and no emotional distress when Peta is writing down the license plate of a car following them she states that she got all the numbers except for the last digit later when czy browses through peta's diary however she has noted the complete numbers C5 TK 89 but the last digit had been erased afterwards when czy holds his Glock pistol to Gonzalez head and tells him to drive the pistol's trigger is in the rearward position meaning the firing mechanism is not cocked and there is no round in the chamber chambering around in a Glock pistol Coxs the firing mechanism which puts the trigger in the forward position it can be assumed that a former special operator an assassin like crey would ensure his pistol is loaded and has a round in the chamber before using it when czy shoots the kidnapper car is driver side window a plastic Shield can be seen in the window frame protecting the actors from the breaking window glass Lisa Ramos is played by Australian actress rodha Mitchell Lisa is supposed to be American but in many scenes her accent obviously slips back towards Australian especially when she is yelling after crey has fired the RPG into the Jeep and the motorcade and then first starts to drive off with Fuentes the backup lights of fent's car are on and then a moment later they are off once the car is out of the fire this is probably because the car was filmed driving backwards into the fire and then the film was run backwards to create the stunt in the end credits where the various Regional authorities are thanked they list the government of the state of Chihuahua twice gobero de estado to Chihuahua first at the top of the list of Chihuahua acknowledgements and again at the bottom at the middle of the movie the camera takes an aerial shot of an orange building with the captions telling you is the Mexican police Poli headquarters in reality that building is a major Hospital on the interl Zone after Peta is kidnapped the police chief gives her full name as Peta Martin Ramos not only is the child's real first name Lupita but according to Mexican name Customs the father's surname should go first making it leita Ramos Martin at around 10 minutes when the husband Mark Anthony is prein czyy Denzel Washington in the car the audience is presented with a resume shot containing an excerpt of czy extensive credentials in the resume his name is printed as Mr rash but his character's name is John czyy Man on Fire 2004 directed by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington is a gritty and emotionally charged action thriller that revolves around the themes of redemption sacrifice and Vengeance the film tells the story of John Cy Denzel Washington a former CIA operative and mercenary who becomes The Bodyguard of a young girl Peter Ramos Dakota Fanning in Mexico City crazy's growing bond with Peta offers him a chance at Redemption after years of being consumed by guilt and alcoholism however when Peta is kidnapped by a violent criminal organization crazy embarks on a Relentless and brutal journey of Revenge determined to rescue her at all costs the film's plot is dark intense and filled with moments of heartbreak as crazy's pursuit of Justice leads him to confront his own inner demons here is a detailed spoiler-filled breakdown of the film at the beginning of the film John czy is introduced as a broken man he is haunted by his past as a government assassin struggling with a deep sense of guilt and turning to alcohol to numb his pain he arrives in Mexico City to visit his old friend Paul Raburn Christopher Walkin who arranges a job for him as a bodyguard for a wealthy industrialist Samuel Ramos Mark Anthony and his family Ramos has hired czy to protect his 9-year-old daughter Peta from the increasing number of kidnappings that plague the city and initially czy is cold and distant clearly uninterested in forming any personal connections he sees his role as purely professional and his emotional Detachment is evident in his interactions with Peta however over time peta's warmth innocence and curiosity begin to chip away at crazy's hardened exterior she teaches him to smile encourages him to engage in conversation and even inspires him to start swimming again something he had abandoned long ago their bond deepens as czy takes on a fatherly role in peta's life he begins to care for her genuinely and she becomes a source of light in his Dark World for crey Peter represents hope and Redemption a chance to make amends for the sins of his past as he grows more attached to her crey finds himself slowly emerging from his emotional isolation however this newfound happiness is short-lived the film takes a dark turn when Peta is kidnapped during a carefully orchestrated abduction while czy is taking her home from a piano Chan lesson despite his best efforts to protect her czy is severely wounded in the shootout with the kidnappers and Peta is taken the criminals demand a ransom of $10 million from her father Samuel Ramos who is desperate to get his daughter back however the situation spirals out of control when the ransom drop is botched the Mexican police who were supposed to handle the exchange interfere leading to a chaotic shootout and Peta is presumed dead the kidnappers inform the Romo family that Peta was killed as a result of the failed Ransom exchange this news shatters crazy who feels an overwhelming sense of guilt and failure he had promised peta's mother Lisa rodha Mitchell that he would protect her daughter and now she is gone devastated by the loss of PETA and fueled by a burning desire for Revenge crazy decides to take matters into his own hands despite being Gravely injured he embarks on a Relentless mission to track down everyone involved in peta's kidnapping and bring them to justice what follows is a violent and unflinching spree of Vengeance as czyy systematically hunts down those responsible Cy's methods are brutal and merciless he tortures and interrogates various corrupt officials gang members and individuals involved in the kidnapping ring using any means necessary to extract information his actions become increasingly Savage but his singular focus on avenging peta's death drives him forward at this point czy has nothing left to lose his his only goal is to make the people responsible for peta's death pay with their lives as czy works his way up the criminal hierarchy he uncovers shocking truths about the kidnapping he learns that peta's father Samuel Ramos was deeply in debt and had orchestrated the kidnapping himself in order to collect on the ransom money from an insurance policy Ramos had planned to Stage the abduction and use the ransom to pay off his debts but things spiraled out of control when the criminals double crossed him Ramos's betrayal is a devastating Revelation not only did he arrange for his own daughter to be kidnapped but his actions also directly led to her presumed death this twist adds a new layer of complexity to the story as crazy's rage is now directed not just at the criminals but also at peta's own father Ramos consumed by guilt and realizing the gravity of what he's done ultimately takes his own life however crazy's investigation reveals another shocking twist Peta is still alive the criminals faked her death to manipulate the ransom exchange and she is being held by a powerful crime Lord known as The Voice Roberto Sosa who runs the kidnapping ring upon learning that Peta is alive Cy's Mission changes from one of Revenge to one of rescue C's final confrontation with the voice takes place in the film's emotional and intense climax after making contact with the voice crazy negotiates a deal to save peta's life he agrees to trade himself in exchange for peta's release this decision reflects C's ultimate Act of redemption he is willing to sacrifice his own life to save the girl who brought meaning and purpose back into his broken World in a heart-wrenching scene czy arranges to meet the voice at a bridge for the exchange Peta is released and she runs into C's arms crying with joy their reunion is brief but powerful as Peta tells crazyy she loves him and he responds with the same words the bond they shared is reaffirmed in this moment and crazy's sacrifice is made all the more poignant because of it knowing that this is the last time they will see each other czy says goodbye to Peta and sends her back to her mother Lisa who is waiting on the other side of the bridge czy severely weakened by his injuries and knowing he will not survive much longer gets into the car with the voices men as the car drives away czy quietly succumbs to his wounds dying in the back seat his death is peaceful as he finds Solus in the knowledge that he has saved Peta and redeemed himself the ending of Man on Fire is both tragic and uplifting while czy dies his death is not in vain he has saved Peta the one person who gave him a reason to live again and in doing so he finds Redemption for his violent past the film's final moments are emotionally charged as Lisa and Peta are reunited and crazy's sacrifice is honored thematically Man on Fire explores the idea of redemption through self- sacrifice crazy's Journey from a broken guilt-ridden man to a protective father figure who is willing to give his life for PETA is the emotional core of the story his brutal quest for vengeance is tempered by his ultimate Act of love and selflessness making the ending both heartbreaking and profoundly moving in the end Man on Fire is not just a story about revenge but about the power of love and the possibility of redemption even for someone as damaged as John crezy the film's powerful performances intense action and emotional depth make it a standout in the genre with an ending that resonates long after the credits role the ending of Man on Fire 2004 directed by Tony Scott is a powerful culmination of themes such as Redemption sacrifice and the personal cost of Vengeance the film follows John Cy Denzel Washington a former CIA operative who becomes a bodyguard for a young girl named Peter Ramos Dakota Fanning in Mexico City Cy's journey is marked by his transformation from a disillusioned guilt-ridden man into a vengeful Avenger and ultimately a sacrificial figure the films concluded moments bring these themes into sharp Focus delivering a finale that is both harrowing and Redemptive the climax of Man on Fire is a culmination of czyz's Relentless pursuit of those responsible for peta's kidnapping and presumed death after Peta is abducted in a well cordinated attack czyy severely injured in the process embarks on a brutal quest for Revenge the film's narrative shifts into high gear as czy systematically hunts down the criminals involved in the kidnapping ring interrogating and torturing them to extract information his quest for vengeance is fueled by an intense personal loss and as he uncovers more about the conspiracy behind peta's kidnapping his actions become increasingly ruthless and desperate czyz's investigation reveals a shocking twist the kidnapping was orchestrated not just by Common criminals but by powerful figures in the city's Elite including peta's own father Samuel Ramos Mark Anthony who had planned to collect the ransom money through an elaborate scheme this revelation deepens crazy's sense of betrayal and anger as the very people who should have protected Peta were complicit in her abduction despite the shocking truth about Ramos's involvement crazy's Focus remains on rescuing Peta leading him to confront the shadowy figure known as The Voice robertto Sosa The Mastermind behind the kidnapping ring as czyy closes in on The Voice the film builds towards a dramatic and emotionally charged climax czy learns that Peta is still alive Hidden Away by the voice and his organ organization determined to save her czy arranges a meeting with a voice to negotiate her release the exchange is set to take place at an abandoned Bridge a location that carries significant emotional weight this bridge a site of past events and personal meaning serves as the backdrop for the film's final confrontation The Exchange scene is fraught with tension czyy severely wounded and knowing that he might not survive much longer prepares for one final Act of redemption he meets the voice and his with the intention of trading himself for peta's Freedom this act of self-sacrifice is a critical moment in crazy's Journey throughout the film C's quest for vengeance has been driven by his own personal demons and his desire to find meaning in his life in this Final Act he demonstrates the ultimate form of redemption by putting peta's safety above his own life as the exchange unfolds crazy successfully orchestrates peta's release Peta frightened but relieved is reunited with her mother sir Radha Mitchell who is waiting on the other side of the bridge the brief but poignant reunion between PETA and Cy is a moment of profound emotional impact Peta tells czy that she loves him and he reciprocates with the same words this exchange encapsulates the deep bond that has developed between them making crazyy sacrifice all the more heartbreaking after Peta is safely returned to her mother crezy is left with the Grim reality of his own fate he has accomplished his mission but at Great personal CA cost as Peta and Lisa leave the scene crazy is taken away by the voices men the car transporting him is a symbol of his final journey and the film's depiction of Cy's death is both somber and reflective Cy's death is portrayed with a sense of peace and acceptance he succumbs to his injuries in the backseat of the car his body weakened and battered from the physical and emotional toll of his quest in his final moments czy finds solace in knowing that he has redeemed himself through his actions his death is not depicted as a tragic end but rather as a sacrificial act that fulfills his quest for Redemption the film's final scenes emphasize the profound impact that C's actions have had on the people around him particularly Peta and her family the ending of Man on Fire is a powerful exploration of the themes of redemption sacrifice and the personal cost of Vengeance throughout the film C's character undergoes a profound transformation initially depicted as a broken and guilt-ridden man czy evolves into a figure of Vengeance driven by a deep sense of justice his Relentless pursuit of those responsible for peta's abduction is fueled by a desire to atone for his past sins and Find meaning in his life the film's portrayal of C's final Act of sacrifice is a poignant reminder of the power of love and the possibility of redemption Cy's willingness to sacrifice his own life for peta's safety reflects a profound sense of personal growth and selflessness despite the brutal and violent nature of his quest for Revenge C's ultimate sacrifice serves as a testament to the strength of his character and the depth of his love for PETA the emotional impact of the ending is heightened by the film's focus on the personal relationships that drive czyz's actions the bond between czy and Peta is Central to the film's narrative and their final moments together are charged with emotional significance crazy's sacrifice is not just an act of Vengeance but a profound expression of his love and commitment to the girl who gave him a sense of purpose the film's depiction of Cy's death is a poignant and reflective conclusion to his journey his passing is portrayed with a sense of quiet dignity underscoring the idea that his sacrifice was not in vain the final scenes which show Peta and Lisa reunited and safe serve as a powerful reminder of the film's central themes of redemption and the enduring Power of Love Man on Fire remains a compelling and emotionally resonant film with its ending serving as a powerful reflection on the nature of Vengeance and red Redemption C's Journey from a broken man to a sacrificial hero is a testament to the film's exploration of complex themes and its ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level the film's portrayal of crazy's Final Moments is a testament to the depth of his character and the strength of his resolve despite the brutal and violent nature of his actions crazy's ultimate sacrifice is a powerful expression of his commitment to protecting Peta and finding Redemption for his past sins the film's conclusion is both tragic and uplifting highlighting the transformative power of love and the possibility of redemption even in the darkest of circumstances in the broader context of action and Thriller genres Man on Fire stands out for its emotional depth and character-driven storytelling the film's ending serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of The Human Experience and the profound impact that personal relationships can have on our lives crazy's Journey from a disillusioned mercenary to a self-sacrificial hero is a compelling narrative Arc that resonates with audiences and leaves a lasting impression overall the ending of Man on Fire is a masterful conclusion to a film that explores the themes of Vengeance Redemption and the personal cost of violence crazy's ultimate sacrifice and the emotional impact of his final moments underscore the film's powerful storytelling and its ability to connect with audiences on a deep and meaningful Man on Fire is a 2004 American action thriller film directed and produced by Tony Scott from a screenplay by Brian helgeland and based on the 1980 novel of the same name by AJ quinnel Denzel Washington portrays John Cy a despondent alcoholic former CIA sad soog officer turned bodyguard who goes on a Revenge Rampage after his charge 9-year-old leita Peter Ramos Dakota Fanning is abducted in Mexico City The Supporting Cast includes Christopher wakin Roda Mitchell Jan Carlo janini Mark Anthony Rachel ticketan and Mickey RK Quinn's novel had previously been adapted into a feature film in 1987 which was also produced by Arnon milchin helin's screenplay moves the story setting from Naples Italy to Mexico City the film was released in the United States by 20th Century Fox on April 21st 204 it received mixed critical reviews but was a commercial success grossing $130 million worldwide against a production budget of $607 million in 2003 former Force Recon marine and C sad soog officer John crey visits his old friend Paul Raburn in Mexico Raburn convinces him to take a bodyguard position with Samuel Ramos a Mexico City automaker whose young daughter Lita Peter requires a bodyguard for her kidnapping insurance policy to take effect struggling with alcoholism burnout and guilt over his actions with a CIA crey tries to commit suicide but his gun misfires he is reminded by Raburn of their saying a bullet always tells the truth and begins to consider that he was not meant to die seemingly revitalized czy commits to his Newfound purpose as peta's protector reducing his drinking and finding comfort in the pages of his Bible he begins coaching Peta to become a more confident swimmer bonding with her through the process one afternoon while waiting outside peta's piano lesson czy recognizes a car that followed them earlier as two Federal policemen block the street realizing that Peta is about to be abducted he kills four of the attackers including the officers but is critically wounded and Peta is taken czy is declared a suspect but reporter Mariana Garcia Guerrero questions the story Affy agent Miguel Manzano relocates a recovering czy to a Veterinary Clinic to protect him from corrupt police The Voice the Unseen leader of the kidnapping ring Demands a $10 million Ransom and Samuel complies with the help of police Lieutenant Victor Fuentes however the kidnappers are ambushed at The Ransom drop and the Voice's nephew is killed holding Ramos family responsible The Voice informs them that Peta will be lost to them forever as retribution Manzano warns Cy that the kidnappers belong to a powerful Brotherhood called La hermandad that consists of corrupt officials police and criminals czy makes a promise to peta's Mother Lisa to kill everyone involved in the kidnapping with raburn's help Cy obtains a small arsenal of weapons and equipment he brutally interrogates and kills the getaway driver who points him to a club where he can fronts three of the kidnappers killing two criminal middlemen czyy recovers an incriminating ATM card and another kidnapped girl he turns both over to Guerrero who reveals that Fuentes is part of the Brotherhood Manzano interviews Raburn who describes czy as an artist of death about to paint his Masterpiece Guerrero convinces Manzano to help czyy wage war against the kidnappers waylaying fent's motorcade with a rocket propelled grenade czy abducts the officer who admits that he had his officers ambushed The Ransom drop but discovered afterward most of the ransom money had already been stolen by Jordan calus Samuel's lawyer after killing Fuentes with a bomb in his rectum czy searches calus's home and finds his decapitated corpse and a fax with bank account information leading to Samuel crazy confronts Samuel and Lisa and Samuel confesses that calus suggested they arranged the kidnapping to claim the insurance payout to settle his father's debts though they were promised Peta would be returned unharmed armed when Fuentes interfered with the drop Samuel blamed calus for peta's death and murdered him Lisa now aware of Samuel's involvement angrily tells czy to kill her husband or she will he leaves Samuel a gun and the same bullet he attempted suicide with and a guilt-ridden Samuel commits suicide Guerrero and Manzano trace the ATM card to the Voice's wife and find her address allowing Manzano's officers to infiltrate her home and obtain a photo of the voice despite the brotherhood's threat Guerrero publishes the photo and passes the address on to czy taking the Voice's wife and his brother Aurelio prisoner czy is shot in the chest but learns the ring Leader's real name is Daniel Sanchez he calls him and threatens his family but Daniel reveals that Peta is alive offering to trade her for his brother and for crey which he accepts instructing Lisa to join him at the exchange KY reunites with Peta in the middle of an overpass assuring her that he loves her before sending her to her mother he and Aurelio are taken by Daniel's men but czy succumbs to his wounds Manzano tracks Daniel down later that day and shoots him dead during the course of arrest Tony Scott's Man on Fire employ superb craftsmanship and a powerful Denzel Washington performance in an attempt to elevate genre material above its natural level but it fails the underlying story isn't worth the effort at first were seduced by the jagged photography and editing which reminds us a little of city of God and 21 Gam were absorbed by Washington's character an alcoholic with a past he cannot forgive himself for and we believe the relationship he slowly develops with a young Mexico City girl he's hired to protect but then the strong opening levels out into a long series of action scenes and the double reverse ending Works more like a gimmick than a resolution the screenplay is by Brian helgeland whose work on Mystic River dealt with revenge in deep painful personal terms but this time action formulas take over the hero outshoots and outsmarts half the bad guys in Mexico City he seems to be homeless yet has frequent changes of wardrobe and weaponry even producing a shoulder mounted missile launcher when necessary and as he plows his way through the Labyrinth of those responsible for kidnapping the girl the body count becomes a little ridiculous and Washington's character who seemed very human begins uncomfortably to resemble an invulnerable superhero sure he gets shot now and again but can you walk around Mexico City as an accused cop killer and outgun professional Killers indefinitely when it seems that everyone who could possibly be killed is dead and the movie must surely be over there's another whole chapter we count those still alive and ask ourselves if the law of economy of characters applies that's the one that says a movie contains no unnecessary characters and so the otherwise unexplained presence of a star in a seemingly insignificant role will be richly explained by the end all of this is true and yet the movie has real qualities Denzel Washington creates a believable sympathetic character here a character complex enough to deserve more than fancy action scenes even the last scene involving his character is a disappointment there's a moment when one thing and one thing only should happen to him and it doesn't and the movie lets him and us down gently Washington plays czyy whose resume includes anti-terrorism he's fallen on Hard Times drinks too much and travels to Mexico for a reunion with his old military buddy rurn Christopher Walkin do you think God will forgive us for what we've done czyy asks Raburn no says Rayburn me neither says czyy rurn has a job for him acting as a bodyguard for Mexico City industrialist Samuel Ramos Mark Anthony his American wife Lisa Radha Mitchell and their daughter Peta Dakota Fanning at the job interview czy is Frank about himself I drink Ramos is able to live with this information but advises crazy to tell nobody especially Mrs Ramos as we think back over the film this conversation will take on added importance crazyy keeps his distance on the job Peta wants to be his friend he explains he was hired as a bodyguard not a friend but eventually he bottoms out in his despair begins to love the little girl and becomes her swimming coach Marine style these scenes have a real resonance after she is kidnapped the movie goes through the standard routine police called in telephones tapped Ransom drop arranged but with additional local color since off-duty Mexico City police were apparently involved in the snatch and crazyy feels surrounded by vipers Raburn may be the only person he can trust at the Ramos home Samuel negotiates with the kidnappers gets advice from his family lawyer Mickey RK and consults with the head of the anti-kidnap squad who is a busy man if the movie is correct in its claim that someone is kidnapped in Mexico every 90 minutes czy meanwhile depends on a Plucky journalist named Marana Rachel ticketan and she depends on an ex interpole expert named Manzano J Carlo janini as the net and the cast widen we begin to wonder if anyone in Mexico City is not involved in the kidnapping in one way or another or related to someone who was Man on Fire has a production too ambitious for the foundation supplied by the screenplay it plays as if Scott knows the plot is threadbear and wants to patch it with an excessive style he might have gotten away with that in a movie of more modest length but Man on Fire clocks in it close to 2 and 1/2 hours and needs more depth to justify the length too bad because the performances deserve more Denzel Washington projects The Bleak despair he's revealed before and his character Arc involves us Christopher wkins supplies another of his patented little speeches czyz's art is death he's about to paint his Masterpiece Dakota Fanning Uptown Girls is a pro at only 10 years old and creates a heart-winning character ticken and janini Supply what is needed when it's needed there are scenes that work with real conviction the movie has the skill and the texture to approach greatness but Scott and helgeland are content with putting a high gloss on formula action Tony Scott's yucky new thriller is a shrill and sentimental bloodbath poana meets The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Denzel Washington plays a heavy drinking EXs soldier who snags a job in Mexico City as bodyguard to a little girl whose Rich parents fear kidnappers she's 10-year-old Dakota Fanning a child actress so scarily self-possessed she makes jod Foster at the same age look like Bonnie Langford naturally the little blonde might redeems lonely Denzel with her artless charm and when she is abducted by a coalition of burial gangsters and corrupt cops the great man hunts down everyone involved with one thing on his adult mind to find out who is responsible by opening up a gigantic can of whoopass he tortures everyone from the minions to the kingpins chopping off fingers sticking Dynamite up people's asses this gets gratifyingly immediate and accurate intelligence unlike in certain Cuban or Iraqi prison camps we could mention and without dents ever needing to hurt anyone but ugly and overweight bad guys Scott's slick technique is overwhelmed by the sheer fatuous dishonesty of this Macho quest with Magnificent enty the final credits give a tremulous thank you to Mexico City for being such a special place it certainly looks like it okay this certainly wasn't the best movie I've seen in August but I probably enjoyed it the most in many ways it's quite bad very cliche and predictable and all that but Denzel Washington was as awesome as always love him and yeah I fell for the cheesy friendship that was so obviously going to form between him and Dakota Fanning the young girl he's hired to protect as she's in danger of being kidnapped the movie did that very well though and spent a long time showing their growing relationship and making us care about them instead of diving straight into the action they had great chemistry which helped make up for the characters of her parents played by rodha Mitchell and Mark Anthony being a bit rubbish but it's hard to live up to Denzel's massive star power so it's impressive that the very young Fanning held her own against him where most the adult actors couldn't Christopher Walkin was also good as always as Denzel's old friend in this but I'd have liked to see much more of him as well as finding out more about their shared tragic past and what has made Washington's character so broken so yeah great development of the Denzel Dakota friendship but really would have loved to have found out much more about Washington's character this movie is very much two movies the first half sets up the characters and friendship while the second half is Denzel going on a bloody violent Revenge fueled murderous Rampage oh boy he was pissed off so that was fun and exactly what people like in a Revenge Thriller I actually finally decided to watch this after seeing a Twitter thread showing movies with very different audience and critic scores audiences loved Man on Fire and critics hated it always find that fascinating now see why there's the difference on this one no it's not a good movie as I said it's very cliche and predictable and a little cheesy it's also fun and has some great characters plus who doesn't love a good Revenge Thriller I'm a whuss with violence but find I can stomach it a bit more when it's for a good reason wanted Denzel to kill all those evil bastards and Denzel gives his all in this he's not one of these good actors who just phones it in when he's not in one of his more Oscar worthy films it's why I've never paid much attention to reviews from professional critics are movies not allowed to just be enjoyable sometimes I enjoyed this it had exactly what expect from an action thriller plus it actually gave us far better characters than what we get in a lot of other films in this genre admittedly though Denzel as well as Dakota are what really make this one work don't think the movie would be as popular with a different lead actor Denzel was perfect for this film alcoholic mercenary czyy Washington is all washed up until his friend Walkin finds him a job in Mexico City as bodyguard for a rich family's little girl Peta Fanning the taciturn man and Melancholy girl slowly develop a strong bond that is utterly shattered the day that Peta is kidnapped and that negotiations are sorely mishandled Man on Fire is title works against it it proclaims an adrenaline fueled action film when in fact what we get is very different what could be mistakenly thought to be a prologue czyy is introduced meets Peta and the the relationship is shown constitutes a good half of the film's running time Washington and fing are on top form the former tortured and angry and the latter endearing without being cloying so it is a tribute to Scott and screenwriter helgeland that the film takes its time showing their odd relationship this makes things all the more hurtful and outraging when she is captured in a kidnapping that leaves czyy severely scarred both emotionally and physically the film earns its title in the second half not because of Non-Stop action which it foregoes in order to give us something more pondered and cruel but because czyy is literally Ablaze with silent Fury as he hunts down anyone who participated or profited from peta's kidnapping dismantling rings of Mexico City's Tower of corruption his methods get blooder while his movement actually gets slower czyy races Against Time and his own likely death as a tragic figure whose Newfound reason to live has been taken away from him the performances are fine with great turns from the two leads and superb supporting turns by the always reliable Christopher wakin and giant Carlo janini what sometimes detracts from the film's quality is Tony Scott's now signature messy visuals while some shots are magnificent reminiscent of brother Ridley's work some are almost trashy and epilepsy inducing some unnecessary hyper MTV editing the man redeems himself by handling his actors with care superbly illustrating his environment and creating a stark atmosphere Man on Fire opened in the US on April 2 3rd 24 in 2980 theaters and gross 22 m751 $490 with an average of 7634 and ranking no one at the box office the film's widest release was 2986 theaters and it ended up earning 77 m917 se4 in North America and 52 m381 940 internationally for a total of 13,293 $714 worldwide against its1 6070 million production budget the film was successful in the US Home Video Market grossing more than $123 million in DVD and VHS rentals and sales in us when crey is talking to the voice on the roof the cell phone changes between three different Motorola phones in the kidnapping scene the driver of the kidnapper's car reverses into the taxi at relatively high speed which would have caused easily visible damage when the kidnapper picks up Peta and the car is driving away the back end is clearly visible and is 100% intact when crazy is standing on the bridge before taking his final walk there is a shot which shows his St Jude Medallion hanging visibly outside his shirt but after a cut away he is next shown pulling The Medallion out when czy is Under the Bridge with Fuentes he takes the latex glove off of his left hand he then walks around the car and takes the left glove off again when czy and Raburn are driving in raburn's truck czy hands Raburn a list of the weapons he wants the page is torn from peta's Diary which czy has not yet collected captioning mistranslation Fuentes tells Samuel that he has been authorized to participate ex oficio and the caption translates this as unofficially however exofficio means by virtue of the office in this case Fuente's position in the anti-kidnapping division despite being a relatively common Trope in movies an experienced Soldier would never fire an RPG indoors the back blast would likely kill everyone inside the confined space of that living room where hot gases would be deflected by the walls and ceiling at the very least the ancient couple the birds and Denzel's character himself would have been severely injured the kidnappers instruct Ramos to wait for a call in a public pay phone in avenor reforma Mexico City ldal card payones can't receive calls and more specifically the phone shown in the movie where the instructions are supposedly posted is the the regular kind which can't receive calls after Samuel Ramos shot himself with crazy's bullet the gun can be seen on the floor with the slide locked in the open position that would only happen if an empty magazine was inserted into the gun but czy had removed the magazine beforehand and Samuel loaded the bullet manually into the chamber after firing the single bullet the slide would close forward again the misfired bullet czyy carries around with him shows a circular dimple in the primer this bullet would not have come from his Glock since this pistol leaves an oval-shaped indentation Mariana tells czy that Fuentes is more heavily guarded than the president and travels by motorcade it would stand to reason that since he has money and influence the car he travels in would be armored and with bullet resistant glass czy doesn't shoot through the car at any time it clearly shows bullets hitting the windshield but not entering the vehicle if they had both occupants would have been killed czy knows this and then tosses a f pyro Grenade on the vehicle this causes the driver to exit the car and only then does czy shoot him after Cy free the young Mexican girl and walks out onto the Dance Floor shooting the crowd doesn't panic or begin any other rational action they just keep dancing and working their way toward the door and once they're outside they continue dancing at a safe distance outside the dance hall until and even after the dance hall explodes no one is in fear they just keep dancing and cheering it is a rave party in Mexico after all intoxication the mental confusion induced from the music and lights and the close relations with guns in that society would not create a state of alertness or danger no one visibly died either the patrons were coralled outside before the explosions so there was no sense of danger and no emotional distress when Peta is writing down the license plate of a car following them she states that she got all the numbers except for the last digit later when czyy browses through peta's diary however she has noted the complete number C5 TK 89 but the last digit had been erased afterwards when czy holds his Glock pistol to Gonzalez head and tells him to drive the pistol's trigger is in the rearward position meaning the firing mechanism is not cocked and there is no round in the chamber chambering around in a Glock pistol the firing mechanism which puts the trigger in the forward position it can be assumed that a former special operator an assassin like crey would ensure his pistol is loaded and has a around in the chamber before using it when czy shoots the kidnapper car is driver side window a plastic Shield can be seen in the window frame protecting the actors from the breaking window glass Lisa Ramos is played by Australian actress rodha Mitchell Lisa is supposed to be American but in many scenes her accent obviously slips back towards Australian especially when she is yelling after Cy has fired the RPG into the Jeep and the motorcade and then first starts to drive off with Fuentes the backup lights of Fuentes is car are on and then a moment later they are off once the car is out of the fire this is probably because the car was filmed driving backwards into the fire and then the film was run backwards to create the stunt in the end credits where the various Regional authorities are thanked they list the government of the state of Chihuahua twice gobero de estado de Chihuahua first at the top of the list of Chihuahua acknowledgements and again at the bottom at the middle of the movie the camera takes an aerial shot of an orange building with the captions telling you is the Mexican police headquarters in reality that building is a major Hospital on the intera Zone after Peta is kidnapped the police chief gives her full name as Peta Martin Ramos not only is the child's real first name Lupita but according to Mexican name Customs the father's surname should go first making it leita Ramos Martin at around 10 minutes when the husband Mark antthony is preining czyy Denzel Washington in the car the audience is presented with a resume shot containing an CPT of C's extensive credentials in the resume his name is printed as Mr rash but his character's name is John czy Man on Fire 2004 directed by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington is a gritty and emotionally charged action thriller that revolves around the themes of redemption sacrifice and Vengeance the film tells the story of John Cy Denzel Washington a former CIA operative and mercenary who becomes The Bodyguard of a young girl Peter Ramos Dakota Fanning in Mexico City C's growing bond with Peta offers him a chance at Redemption after years of being consumed by guilt and alcoholism however when Peta is kidnapped by a violent criminal organization crazy embarks on a Relentless and brutal journey of Revenge determined to rescue her at all costs the film's plot is dark intense and filled with moments of heartbreak as crazy's pursuit of Justice leads him to confront his own inner demons here is a detailed spoiler filled breakdown of the film at the beginning of the film John czy is introduced as a broken man he is haunted by his past as a government assassin struggling with a deep sense of guilt and turning to alcohol to numb his pain he arrives in Mexico City to visit his old friend Paul Raburn Christopher Walkin who arranges a job for him as a bodyguard for a wealthy industrialist Samuel Ramos Mark Anthony and his family Ramos has hired czy to protect his 9-year-old daughter Peta from the increasing number of kidnappings that plague the city initially czy is cold and distant clearly uninterested in forming any personal connections he sees his role as purely professional and his emotional Detachment is evident in his interactions with Peta however over time peta's warmth innocence and curiosity begin to chip away at C's hardened exterior she teaches him to smile encourages him to engage in conversation and even inspires him to start swimming again something he had abandoned long ago their bond deepens as czy takes on a fatherly role in peta's life he begins to care for her genuinely and she becomes a source of light in his Dark World for czy Peter represents hope and Redemption a chance to make amends for the sins of his past as he grows more attached to her czy finds himself slowly emerging from his emotional isolation however this newfound happiness is short-lived the film takes a dark turn when Peta is kidnapped during a carefully orchestrated abduction while czy is taking her home from a piano lesson despite his best efforts to protect her czy is severely wounded in the shootout with the kidnappers and Peta is taken the criminals demand a ransom of $10 million from her father Samuel Ramos who is desperate to get his daughter back however the situation spirals out of control when the ransom drop is botched the Mexican police who were supposed to handle the exchange interfere leading to a chaotic shootout and Peta is presumed dead the kidnappers informed the Romos family that Peta was killed as a result of the failed Ransom exchange this news shatters crazy who feels an overwhelming sense of guilt and failure he had promised peta's mother Lisa rodha Mitchell that he would protect her daughter and now she is gone devastated by the loss of PETA and fueled by a burning desire for Revenge crazy decides to take matters into his own hands despite being Gravely injured he embarks on a Relentless mission to track down everyone involved in peta's kidnapping and bring them to justice what follows is a violent and unflinching spree of Vengeance as czyy systematically hunts down those responsible czyz's methods are brutal and merciless he tortures and interrogates various corrupt officials gang members and individuals involved in the kidnapping ring using any means necessary to extract information his actions become increasingly Savage but his singular focus on avenging peta's death drives him forward at this point czy has nothing left to lose his only goal is to make the people responsible for peta's death pay with their lives as czyy works his way up the criminal hierarchy he uncovers shocking truths about the kidnapping he learns that peta's father Samuel Ramos was deeply in debt and had orchestrated the kidnapping himself in order to collect on the ransom money from an insurance policy Ramos had planned to Stage the abduction and use the ransom to pay off his debts but things spiraled out of control when the criminals double crossed him r 's betrayal is a devastating Revelation not only did he arrange for his own daughter to be kidnapped but his actions also directly led to her presumed death this twist adds a new layer of complexity to the story as czyz's rage is now directed not just at the criminals but also at peta's own father Ramos consumed by guilt and realizing the gravity of what he's done ultimately takes his own life however crazy's investigation reveals another shocking twist Peta is still alive the criminals fake her death to manipulate the ransom exchange and she is being held by a powerful crime Lord known as The Voice Roberto Sosa who runs the kidnapping ring upon learning that Peta is alive Cy's Mission changes from one of Revenge to one of rescue C's final confrontation with the voice takes place in the film's emotional and intense climax after making contact with the voice czy negotiates a deal to save peta's life he agrees to trade himself in exchange for peta's release this decision reflects crazy ultimate Act of redemption he is willing to sacrifice his own life to save the girl who brought meaning and purpose back into his broken World in a heart-wrenching scene czy arranges to meet the voice at a bridge for the exchange Peta is released and she runs into C's arms crying with joy their reunion is brief but powerful as Peta tells crazy she loves him and he responds with the same words the bond they shared is reaffirmed in this moment and crazy's sacrifice is made all the more poignant because of it knowing that this is the last time they will see each other czy says goodbye to Peta and sends her back to her mother Lisa who is waiting on the other side of the bridge czy severely weakened by his injuries and knowing he will not survive much longer gets into the car with the voices men as the car drives away czy quietly succumbs to his wounds dying in the back seat his death is peaceful as he finds solace in the knowledge that he has saved Peta and redeemed himself the ending of Man on Fire is is both tragic and uplifting while czy dies his death is not in vain he has saved Peta the one person who gave him a reason to live again and in doing so he finds Redemption for his violent past the film's final moments are emotionally charged as Lisa and Peta are reunited and czy sacrifice is honored thematically Man on Fire explores the idea of redemption through self-sacrifice crazy's Journey from a broken guilt-ridden man to a protective father figure who is willing to give his life for PETA is the emotional core of the story his brutal quest for vengeance is tempered by his ultimate Act of love and selflessness making the ending both heartbreaking and profoundly moving in the end Man on Fire is not just a story about revenge but about the power of love and the possibility of redemption even for someone as damaged as John crezy the film's powerful performances intense action and emotional depth make it a standout in the genre with an ending that resonates long after the credits role the ending of Man on Fire 2004 directed by Tony Scott is a powerful culmination of themes such as Redemption sacrifice and the personal cost of Vengeance the film follows John Cy Denzel Washington a former CIA operative who becomes a bodyguard for a young girl named Peter Ramos Dakota Fanning in Mexico City Cy's journey is marked by his transformation from a disillusioned guilt-ridden man into a vengeful Avenger and ultimately a sacrificial figure the the film's concluding moments bring these themes into sharp Focus delivering a finale that is both harrowing and Redemptive the climax of Man on Fire is a culmination of czyz's Relentless pursuit of those responsible for peta's kidnapping and presumed death after Peta is abducted in a well-coordinated attack czyy severely injured in the process embarks on a brutal quest for Revenge the film's narrative shifts into high gear as czy systematically hunts down the criminals involved in the kidnapping ring interrogating and torturing them to extract information his quest for vengeance is fueled by an intense personal loss and as he uncovers more about the conspiracy behind peta's kidnapping his actions become increasingly ruthless and desperate czyz's investigation reveals a shocking twist the kidnapping was orchestrated not just by Common criminals but by powerful figures in the city's Elite including peta's own father Samuel Ramos Mark Anthony who had planned to collect the ransom money through an elaborate scheme this Revelation deepens crazy's sense of betrayal and anger as the very people who should have protected Peta were complicit in her abduction despite the shocking truth about Ramos's involvement crazy's Focus remains on rescuing Peta leading him to confront the shadowy figure known as The Voice Roberto Sosa The Mastermind behind the kidnapping ring as crazy closes in on The Voice the film builds towards a dramatic and emotionally charged climax czy learns that Peta is still alive Hidden Away by The Voice voice and his organization determined to save her czy arranges a meeting with a voice to negotiate her release the exchange is set to take place at an abandoned Bridge a location that carries significant emotional weight this bridge a site of past events and personal meaning serves as the backdrop for the film's final confrontation The Exchange scene is fraught with tension czyy severely wounded and knowing that he might not survive much longer prepares for one final Act of redemption he meets the voice and his men with the intention of trading himself for peta's Freedom this act of self-sacrifice is a critical moment in czyz's Journey throughout the film crazy's quest for vengeance has been driven by his own personal demons and his desire to find meaning in his life in this Final Act he demonstrates the ultimate form of redemption by putting peta's safety above his own life as the exchange unfolds crazy successfully orchestrates peta's release Peta frightened but relieved is reunited with her mother Lisa Radha Mitchell who is waiting on the other side of the bridge the brief but poignant reunion between PETA and Cy is a moment of profound emotional impact Peta tells czy that she loves him and he reciprocates with the same words this exchange encapsulates the deep bond that has developed between them making crazyy sacrifice all the more heartbreaking after Peta is safely returned to her mother czy is left with the Grim reality of his own fate he has accomplished his mission but at great great personal cost as Peta and Lisa leave the scene crazy is taken away by the voices men the car transporting him is a symbol of his final journey and the film's depiction of Cy's death is both somber and reflective Cy's death is portrayed with a sense of peace and acceptance he succumbs to his injuries in the back seat of the car his body weakened and battered from the physical and emotional toll of his quest in his final moments czy finds solace in knowing that he has redeemed himself through his actions his death is not depicted as a tragic end but rather as a sacrificial act that fulfills his quest for Redemption the film's final scenes emphasize the profound impact that crazy's actions have had on the people around him particularly Peta and her family the ending of Man on Fire is a powerful exploration of the themes of redemption sacrifice and the personal cost of Vengeance throughout the film C's character undergoes a profound transformation initially depicted as a broken and guilt-ridden man man czyy evolves into a figure of Vengeance driven by a deep sense of justice his Relentless pursuit of those responsible for peta's abduction is fueled by a desire to atone for his past sins and Find meaning in his life the film's portrayal of crazy's Final Act of sacrifice is a poignant reminder of the power of love and the possibility of redemption C's willingness to sacrifice his own life for peta's safety reflects a profound sense of personal growth and selflessness despite the brutal and violent nature of his quest for Revenge crazy's ultimate sacrifice serves as a testament to the strength of his character and the depth of his love for PETA the emotional impact of the ending is heightened by the film's focus on the personal relationships that drive crazy's actions the bond between czy and Peta is Central to the film's narrative and their final moments together are charged with emotional significance C's sacrifice is not just an act of Vengeance but a profound expression of his love and commitment to the girl who gave him a sense of of purpose the film's depiction of C's death is a poignant and reflective conclusion to his journey his passing is portrayed with a sense of quiet dignity underscoring the idea that his sacrifice was not in vain the final scenes which show Peta and Lisa reunited and safe serve as a powerful reminder of the film's central themes of redemption and the enduring Power of Love Man on Fire remains a compelling and emotionally resonant film with its ending serving as a powerful reflection on the nature of vengance and Redemption crazy's Journey from a broken man to a sacrificial hero is a testament to the film's exploration of complex themes and its ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level the film's portrayal of crazy's Final Moments is a testament to the depth of his character and the strength of his resolve despite the brutal and violent nature of his actions crazy's ultimate sacrifice is a powerful expression of his commitment to protecting Peta and finding Redemption for his past sins the film's conclusion is both tragic and uplifting highlighting the transformative power of love and the possibility of redemption even in the darkest of circumstances in the broader context of action and Thriller genres Man on Fire stands out for its emotional depth and character-driven storytelling the film's ending serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of The Human Experience and the profound impact that personal relationships can have on our lives crazy's Journey from a disillusioned mercenary to a self-sacrificial hero is a compelling narrative Arc that resonates with audiences and leaves a lasting impression overall the ending of Man on Fire is a masterful conclusion to a film that explores the themes of Vengeance Redemption and the personal cost of violence crazy's ultimate sacrifice and the emotional impact of his final moments underscore the film's powerful storytelling and its ability to connect with audiences on a deep and meaningful Man on Fire is a 2004 American action thriller film directed and produced by Tony Scott from a screenplay by Brian helgeland and based on the 1980 novel of the same name by AJ quinnel Denzel Washington portrays John crey a despondent alcoholic former CIA sad soog officer turned bodyguard who goes on a Revenge Rampage after his charge 9-year-old Lita Peter Ramos Dakota Fanning is abducted in Mexico City The Supporting Cast includes Christopher wakin Roda Mitchell Jan Carlo janini Mark Anthony Rachel ticketan and Mickey RK Quinn's novel had previously been adapted into a feature film in 1987 which was also produced by Arnon milchin helin's screenplay moves the story setting from Naples Italy to Mexico City the film was released in the United States by 20th Century Fox on April 21st 2004 it received mixed critical reviews but was a commercial success grossing $130 million worldwide against a production budget of $607 million in 2003 former Force Recon marine and CIA sad soog officer John crey visits his old friend Paul Raburn in Mexico Raburn convinces him to take a bodyguard position with Samuel Ramos a Mexico City automaker whose young daughter Lita Peter requires a bodyguard for her kidnapping insurance policy to take effect struggling with alcoholism burnout and guilt over his actions with a CIA crey tries to commit suicide but his gun missfires he is reminded by Raburn of their saying a bullet always tells the truth and begins to consider that he was not meant to die seemingly revitalized czy commits to his Newfound purpose as peta's protector reducing his drinking and finding comfort in the pages of his Bible he begins coaching Peta to become a more confident swimmer bonding with her through the process one afternoon while waiting outside peta's piano lesson czy recognizes a car that followed them earlier as two Federal policemen block the street realizing that Peta is about to be abducted he kills four of the attackers including the officers but is critically wounded and Peta is taken czy is declared a suspect but reporter Mariana Garcia Guerrero questions the story ay agent Miguel Manzano relocates a recovering czy to a Veterinary Clinic to protect him from corrupt police The Voice the Unseen leader of the kidnapping ring Demands a $10 million Ransom and Samuel complies with the help of police Lieutenant Victor Fuentes however the kidnappers are ambushed at The Ransom drop and the Voice's nephew is killed holding the Ramos family responsible The Voice informs them that Peta will be lost to them forever as retribution Manzano warns Cy that the kidnappers belong to a powerful Brotherhood called La hermandad that consists of corrupt officials police and criminals Cy makes a promise to peta's Mother Lisa to kill everyone involved in the kidnapping with raburn's help Cy obtains a small arsenal of weapons and equipment he brutally interrogates and kills the getaway driver who points him to a club Club where he confronts three of the kidnappers killing two criminal middlemen czyy recovers an incriminating ATM card and another kidnapped girl he turns both over to Guerrero who reveals that Fuentes is part of the Brotherhood Manzano interviews Raburn who describes czy as an artist of death about to paint his Masterpiece Guerrero convinces Manzano to help czy wage war against the kidnappers way laying fent's motorcade with a rocket propelled grenade czy abducts the officer who admits that he had his officers Ambush The Ransom drop but discovered afterward most of the ransom money had already been stolen by Jordan calus Samuel's lawyer after killing Fuentes with a bomb in his rectum czyy searches calus's home and finds his decapitated corpse and a facts with bank account information leading to Samuel crazyy confronts Samuel and Lisa and Samuel confesses that calus suggested they arranged the kidnapping to claim the insurance payout to settle his father's debts though they were promised Peta would be turned unharmed when Fuentes interfered with the drop Samuel blamed calus for peta's death and murdered him Lisa now aware of Samuel's involvement angrily tells czy to kill her husband or she will he leaves Samuel a gun and the same bullet he attempted suicide with and a guilt-ridden Samuel commits suicide Guerrero and Manzano trace the ATM card to the Voice's wife and find her address allowing Manzano's officers to infiltrate her home and obtain a photo of the voice despite the brotherhood's threats Guerrero publishes the photo and passes the address on to czy taking the Voice's wife and his brother Aurelio prisoner czyy is shot in the chest but learns the ring Leader's real name is Daniel Sanchez he calls him and threatens his family but Daniel reveals that Peta is alive offering to trade her for his brother and for crey which he accepts instructing Lisa to join him at the exchange Cy reunites with Peta in the middle of an overpass assuring her that he loves her before sending her to her mother he and Aurelio are taken by Daniel's men but czy succumbs to his wounds Manzano tracks Daniel down later that day and shoots him dead during the course of arrest Tony Scott's Man on Fire employs superb craftsmanship and a powerful Denzel Washington performance in an attempt to elevate genre material above its natural level but it fails the underlying story isn't worth the effort at first we're seduced by the jagged photography and editing which reminds us a little of city of God and 21 G were absorbed by Washington's character an alcoholic with a past he cannot forgive himself for and we believe the relationship he slowly develops with a young Mexico City girl he's hired to protect but then the strong opening levels out into a long series of action scenes and the double reverse ending Works more like a gimmick than a resolution the screenplay is by Brian helgeland whose work on Mystic River dealt with revenge in deep painful personal terms but this time action for formulas take over the hero outshoots and outsmarts half the bad guys in Mexico City he seems to be homeless yet has frequent changes of wardrobe and weaponry even producing a shoulder-mounted missile launcher when necessary and as he plows his way through the Labyrinth of those responsible for kidnapping the girl the body count becomes a little ridiculous and Washington's character who seemed very human begins uncomfortably to resemble an invulnerable superhero sure he gets shot now and again but can you walk around Mexico City as an accused cop killer and outgun professional Killers indefinitely when it seems that everyone who could possibly be killed is dead and the movie must surely be over there's another whole chapter we count those still alive and ask ourselves if the law of economy of characters applies that's the one that says a movie contains no unnecessary characters and so the otherwise unexplained presence of a star in a seemingly insignificant role will be richly explained by the end all of this is true and Yet the movie has real qualities Denzel Washington creates a believable sympathetic character here a character complex enough to deserve more than fancy action scenes even the last scene involving his character is a disappointment there's a moment when one thing and one thing only should happen to him and it doesn't and the movie lets him and us down gently Washington plays czyy whose resume includes anti-terrorism he's fallen on Hard Times drinks too much and travels to Mexico for a reunion with his old military buddy Raburn Christopher Walkin do you think God will forgive us for what we've done czyy asks Raburn no says Rayburn me neither says czyy rurn has a job for him acting as a bodyguard for Mexico City industrialist Samuel Ramos Mark Anthony his American wife Lisa Radha Mitchell and their daughter Peta Dakota Fanning at the job interview czyy is Frank about himself I drink Ramos is able to live with this information but advises crazy to tell nobody especially Mrs Ramos as we think back over the film this conversation will take on added importance crazyy keeps his distance on the job Peta wants to be his friend he explains he was hired as a bodyguard not a friend but eventually he bottoms out in his despair begins to love the little girl and becomes her swimming coach Marine style these scenes have a real resonance after she is kidnapped the movie goes through the standard routine police called in telephones tapped Ransom drop arranged but with additional local color since off-duty Mexico City police were apparently involved in the snatch and crazyy feels surrounded by vipers rurn may be the only person he can trust at the Ramos home Samuel negotiates with the kidnappers gets advice from his family lawyer Mickey RK and consults with the head of the anti-kidnap squad who is a busy man if the movie is correct in its claim that someone is kidnapped in Mexico every 90 minutes czyy meanwhile depends on a Plucky journalist named Mariana Rachel ticketan and she depends on an ex interpole expert named Manzano J Carlo janini as the net and the cast widen we begin to wonder if anyone in Mexico City is not involved in the kidnapping in one way or another or related to someone who was Man on Fire has a production too ambitious for the foundation supplied by the screenplay it plays as if Scott knows the plot is threadbear and wants to patch it with an excessive style he might have gotten away with that in a movie of more modest length but Man on Fire clocks in at close to 2 and 1/2 hours and needs more depth to justify the length too bad because the performances deserve more Denzel Washington projects The Bleak despair he's revealed before and his character Arc involves us Christopher Watkins supplies another of his patented little speeches czyz's art is death he's about to paint his Masterpiece Dakota Fanning Uptown Girls is a pro at only 10 years old and creates a heart-winning character ticketan and janini Supply what is needed when it's needed there are scenes that work with real conviction the movie has the skill and the texture to approach greatness but Scott and helgeland are content with putting a high gloss on formula action Tony Scott's yucky new thriller is a shrill and sentimental bloodbath poana meets The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Denzel Washington plays a heavy drinking ex soldier who snags a job in Mexico City as bodyguard to a little girl whose Rich parents fear kidnappers she's 10-year-old Dakota Fanning a child actress so scarily self-possessed she makes jod Foster at the same age look like Bonnie Langford naturally the little blonde might redeems lonely Denzel with her artless charm and when she is abducted by a coalition of burial gangsters and corrupt cops the great man hunts down everyone involved with one thing on his addled mind to find out who is responsible by opening up a gigantic can of whoopass he tortures everyone from the minions to the kingpins chopping off fingers sticking Dynamite up people's asses this gets gratifying ly immediate and accurate intelligence unlike in certain Cuban or Iraqi prison camps we could mention and without dents ever needing to hurt anyone but ugly and overweight bad guys Scott's slick technique is overwhelmed by the sheer fatuous dishonesty of this Macho quest with Magnificent eery the final credits give a tremulous thank you to Mexico City for being such a special place it certainly looks like it okay this certainly wasn't the best movie I've seen in August but I probably enjoy it the most in many ways it's quite bad very cliche and predictable and all that but Denzel Washington was as awesome as always love him and yeah I fell for the cheesy friendship that was so obviously going to form between him and Dakota Fanning the young girl he's hired to protect as she's in danger of being kidnapped the movie did that very well though and spent a long time showing their growing relationship and making us care about them instead of diving straight into the action they had great chemistry which helped make up for the characters of her parents played by Roda Mitchell and Mark Anthony being a bit rubbish but it's hard to live up to Denzel's massive star power so it's impressive that the very young Fanning held her own against him where most the adult actors couldn't Christopher wakin was also good as always as Denzel's old friend in this but I'd have liked to see much more of him as well as finding out more about their shared tragic past and what has made Washington's character so broken so yeah great development of the Denzel Dakota friendship but really would have loved love to have found out much more about Washington's character this movie is very much two movies the first half sets up the characters and friendship while the second half is Denzel going on a bloody violent Revenge fueled murderous Rampage oh boy he was pissed off so that was fun and exactly what people like in a Revenge Thriller I actually finally decided to watch this after seeing a Twitter thread showing movies with very different audience and critic scores audiences loved Man on Fire and critics hated it always find that fascinating now see why there's the difference on this one no it's not a good movie as I said it's very cliche and predictable and a little cheesy it's also fun and has some great characters plus who doesn't love a good Revenge Thriller em a whs with violence but find I can stomach it a bit more when it's for a good reason wanted Denzel to kill all those evil bastards and Denzel gives his all in this he's not one of these good actors who just phones it in when he's not in one of his more Oscar worthy films it's why I've never paid much attention to reviews from professional critics are movies not allowed to just be enjoyable sometimes I enjoyed this it had exactly what expect from an action thriller plus it actually gave us far better characters than what we get in a lot of other films in this genre admittedly though Denzel as well as Dakota are what really make this one work don't think the movie would be as popular with a different lead actor Denzel was perfect for this film alcoholic mercenary czyy Washington is all washed up until his friend Wan finds him a job in Mexico City as bodyguard for a rich family's little girl Peta Fanning the taciturn man and Melancholy girl slowly develop a strong bond that is utterly shattered the day that Peta is kidnapped and that negotiations are sorely mishandled Man on Fire is title works against it it proclaims an adrenaline fueled action film when in fact what we get is very different what could be mistakenly thought to be a prologue Creasy is introduced meets Peta and the relationship as shown constitutes a good half of the film's running time Washington and fing are on top form the former tortured and angry and the latter endearing without being cloying so it is a tribute to Scott and screenwriter helgeland that the film takes its time showing their odd relationship this makes things all the more hurtful and outraging when she is captured in a kidnapping that leaves czyy severely scarred both emotionally and physically the film earns its title in the second half not because of non-stop action which it foregoes in order to give us something more pondered and cruel but because crazy is literally Ablaze with silent Fury as he hunts down anyone who participated or profited from peta's kidnapping dismantling rings of Mexico City's Tower of corruption his methods get bloodier while his movement actually gets slower czyy races Against Time and his own likely death as a tragic figure whose Newfound reason to live has been taken away from him the performances are fine with great turns from the two leads and superb supporting turns by the always reliable Christopher wakin and giant Carlo janini what sometimes attracts from the film's quality is Tony Scott's now signature messy visuals while some shots are magnificent reminiscent of brother Ridley's work some are almost trashy and epilepsy inducing some unnecessary hyper MTV editing the man redeems himself by handling his actors with care superbly illustrating his environment and creating a stark atmosphere Man on Fire opened in the US on April 23rd 24 in 2980 theaters and gross 22,7 51490 with an average of 7634 and ranking no one at the box office the film's widest release was 2986 theaters and it ended up earning 77,78 in North America and 52 m381 940 internationally for a total of 13,29 93714 worldwide against its $1 6070 million production budget the film was successful in the US Home Video Market grossing more than $123 million in DVD and VHS rentals and sales in us when crey is talking to the voice on the roof the cell phone changes between three different Motorola phones in the kidnapping scene the driver of the kidnapper's car reverses into the taxi at relatively high speed which would have caused easily visible damage when the kidnapper picks up Peta and the car is driving away the back end is clearly visible and is 100% intact when czy is standing on the bridge before taking his final walk there is a shot which shows his St Jude Medallion hanging visibly outside his shirt but after a cutway he is next shown pulling The Medallion out when czy is Under the Bridge with Fuentes he takes the latex glove off of his left hand he then walks around the car and takes the left glove off again when czyy and Raburn are driving in raburn's truck Cy hands Raburn a list of the weapons he wants the page is torn from peta's Diary which Cy has not yet collected captioning mistranslation Fuentes tells Samuel that he has been authorized to participate ex oficio and the caption translates this as unofficially however ex officio means by virtue of the office in this case Fuente's position in the anti-kidnapping division despite being a relatively common Trope in movies an experienced Soldier would never fire an RPG indoors the back blast would likely kill everyone inside the confined space of that living room where hot gases would be deflected by the walls and ceiling at the very least the ancient couple the birds and Denzel's character himself would have been severely injured the kidnappers instruct Ramos to wait for a call in a public pay phone in avenor reforma Mexico City ldal card payones can't receive calls and more specifically the phone shown in the movie where the instructions are supposedly posted is the regular kind which can't receive calls after Samuel Ramos shot himself with crazy's bullet the gun can be seen on the floor with the slide locked in the open position that would only happen if an empty magazine was inserted into the gun but czy had removed the magazine beforehand and Samuel loaded the bullet manually into the chamber after firing the single bullet the slide would close forward again the misfired bullet czyy carries around with him shows a circular dimple in the primer this bullet would not have come from his Glock since this pistol leaves an oval-shaped indentation Mariana tells czy that Fuentes is more heavily guarded than the president and travels by motorcade it would stand to reason that since he has money and influence the car he travels in would be armored and with bullet resistant glass czyy doesn't shoot through the car at any time it clearly shows bullets hitting the windshield but not entering the vehicle if they had both occupants would have been killed czy knows this and then tosses at F pirate grenade under the vehicle this causes the driver to exit the car and only then does czyy shoot him after czyy free the young Mexican girl and walks out onto the Dance Floor shooting the crowd doesn't panic or begin any other rational action they just keep dancing and working their way toward the door and once they're outside they continue dancing at a safe distance outside the dance hall until and even after the dance hall explodes no one is in fear they just keep dancing and cheering it is a rave party in Mexico after all intoxication the mental confusion induced from the music and lights and the close relations with guns in that society would not create a state of alertness or danger