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Man On Fire...good blind buy?

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Man On Fire...good blind buy?

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Old 09-10-04 | 07:41 PM
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Man On Fire...good blind buy?

I haven't seen it, but reviews I've read have been favorable...good blind buy or no? Thanks!
Old 09-10-04 | 07:50 PM
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Yep, great movie...awesome

Especially if you like Washington.
Old 09-10-04 | 08:48 PM
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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.
Old 09-10-04 | 09:13 PM
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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!
Old 09-10-04 | 10:15 PM
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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.
Old 09-10-04 | 10:43 PM
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I am getting it, not his best but very entertaining.
Old 09-10-04 | 11:11 PM
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Yes! Awesome movie! Loved it.
Old 09-11-04 | 02:45 AM
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If you like nasty revenge dramas, go for it.
Old 09-11-04 | 03:05 AM
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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.
Old 09-11-04 | 03:38 AM
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yeah i think you should. was a good movie. can't wait to watch it again.
Old 09-11-04 | 03:53 AM
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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.
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.
Old 09-11-04 | 08:28 AM
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I liked it. The ending just about ruined the whole movie for me though.
Old 09-11-04 | 03:02 PM
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Just watched it last night. Would not recommend it as a blind buy, but definitely worth a rental.
Old 09-11-04 | 03:30 PM
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I wouldn't buy it, but it is worth renting. I was disappointed by it when I saw it in the theaters.
Old 09-11-04 | 03:37 PM
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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.
Old 09-11-04 | 10:07 PM
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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.
Old 09-12-04 | 09:45 AM
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Good movie, but do not buy it. It does not have any replay value whatsoever. It just is not a movie that could be watched many times (or even twice imo).
Old 09-12-04 | 01:11 PM
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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..
I'm convinced, i'm picking it up!























Old 09-12-04 | 02:43 PM
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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.
Old 09-12-04 | 03:57 PM
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This movie is a pure rental! Don't waste your $$$, so many great dvd's coming out.

I vote for, SAVE YOUR DOLLARS!

Old 09-12-04 | 04:10 PM
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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.
Old 09-12-04 | 10:39 PM
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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.

Last edited by John Spartan; 09-12-04 at 10:43 PM.
Old 09-13-04 | 10:01 AM
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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!
Old 09-13-04 | 11:25 AM
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I thought it was a good movie. Don't know if I would want to watch it a lot times though.
Old 09-13-04 | 01:07 PM
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No.


I love the film, but it's definitely not for everyone. You have to really be into Scott's style.

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