Man On Fire...good blind buy?
#3
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Most certainly not. I thought it was bad. Denzel was great, but Scott's direction may have seemed unique 10 years ago, but was so damned annoying. And those subtitles were the stupidest idea ever. Scott tried to make the film unique by adding some random, frivolous crap like that.
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From: Hollywood, USA
I'll be the tie-breaker...I agree with you both! 
While it's true that Tony Scott's direction becomes so distracting at points, it pulls you out of the movie, MoF if still one of my favorites of the year. Great script (by the guy who did MYSTIC RIVER) and some great performances, especially Washington and the little girl (Fanning?).
If the subject matter is up your alley, you'll love the flick!

While it's true that Tony Scott's direction becomes so distracting at points, it pulls you out of the movie, MoF if still one of my favorites of the year. Great script (by the guy who did MYSTIC RIVER) and some great performances, especially Washington and the little girl (Fanning?).
If the subject matter is up your alley, you'll love the flick!
#5
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Personally I thought it was one of Denzel's weaker films. Technically it is pretty to look at and some of the filters/editing is pretty neat (although overdone) Storywise I just couldn't muster any sympothy for Creasy at all, and I hated the father (of course I think this was intended)
** out of four.
** out of four.
#9
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From: City of the lakers.. riots.. and drug dealing cops.. los(t) Angel(e)s. ca.
it's fox... so YES buy it.. You will buy it.. You must buy it... Buy it now.. Buy it blind..
I thought it was a kick ass revenge flick. I really liked it more then The Punisher , when it comes to revenge flicks. It had style and new camera effects that were really nice.
I thought it was a kick ass revenge flick. I really liked it more then The Punisher , when it comes to revenge flicks. It had style and new camera effects that were really nice.
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Originally posted by natevines
Most certainly not. I thought it was bad. Denzel was great, but Scott's direction may have seemed unique 10 years ago, but was so damned annoying. And those subtitles were the stupidest idea ever. Scott tried to make the film unique by adding some random, frivolous crap like that.
Most certainly not. I thought it was bad. Denzel was great, but Scott's direction may have seemed unique 10 years ago, but was so damned annoying. And those subtitles were the stupidest idea ever. Scott tried to make the film unique by adding some random, frivolous crap like that.
I agree completely. It was a great concept and great acting ruined by overdirecting and overediting. The presentation of the movie is what's keeping me from buying it and watching it ever again. I recommend people rent this rather than blind buy it.
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From: Chicago
I think it's a good movie, but a lot of people do have major problems with the editing. For that reason, I'd have to say that no, it is not a good blind buy. You may end up being one of those people.
#16
I've thought about owning it since the day I saw it in the theater. I actually think more people who haven't seen it will be surprised that it's better than they had thought it would be. It was a bit over the top with the noise and MTV editing, but I really enjoyed it.
#18
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally posted by Jackskeleton
it's fox... so YES buy it.. You will buy it.. You must buy it... Buy it now.. Buy it blind..
it's fox... so YES buy it.. You will buy it.. You must buy it... Buy it now.. Buy it blind..
#19
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From: In a sewer.
I enjoyed it, but I don't think it was great and I don't think it has alot of replay value. Do yourself a favour and save yourself $25 and rent it first.
I liked the way they did the subtitles myself. Something different.
I liked the way they did the subtitles myself. Something different.
#21
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I'm from Mexico City.. and they were times during the movie, that I wanted to cry... it remind me so much of my childhood, and made me wanna go on vacations ASAP.
My gf loved it as well.
I'm so picking this up on tuesday.
My gf loved it as well.
I'm so picking this up on tuesday.
#22
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I think the movie is a good example of how that jarring, over-edited directing style in vogue right now can hurt a film's replay value--especially action films. Every action scene in the film is over-edited and shaky cam'd to the point of incoherence. Despite sporting some potentially impressive action sequences, the film has no replay value because Tony Scott's heavy-handed touch doesn't really SHOW any of the events in a clear way. After a viewing or two, you realize it's not so much an action scene as it is a random series of gun fire or explosion images. Even Michael Bay at his worst was better than this (at least Bay seems to apply his tricks because he thinks it suits the moment. ie, he's trying to accentuate the action. Whereas Scott seems to pull whatever trick out of his ass just because it's randomly cool.. to hell with the narrative.)
Man on Fire isn't a terrible movie; after all, the actors do a good job, the drama is given a lot of time to develop, and the cinematography is very striking. However, there's nothing in it so entertaining that it makes the movie worth watching more than once.
Oh, and don't mistake my waxing on the action direction as meaning the film sports wall-to-wall action; No, it's actually a long drama with short bursts of action.
Man on Fire isn't a terrible movie; after all, the actors do a good job, the drama is given a lot of time to develop, and the cinematography is very striking. However, there's nothing in it so entertaining that it makes the movie worth watching more than once.
Oh, and don't mistake my waxing on the action direction as meaning the film sports wall-to-wall action; No, it's actually a long drama with short bursts of action.
Last edited by John Spartan; 09-12-04 at 10:43 PM.
#23
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From: Dallas, TX
It depends on whether you're a fan of Tony Scott's style or not. If you are, you'll love the movie. If not, don't bother - you'll probably hate it.
Personally, I thought the movie was great. A much better and far more ruthless revenge movie than THE PUNISHER. Denzel gets seriously, painfully medieval on some people in this one. R-rated and proud of it! Good stuff!
Personally, I thought the movie was great. A much better and far more ruthless revenge movie than THE PUNISHER. Denzel gets seriously, painfully medieval on some people in this one. R-rated and proud of it! Good stuff!




