Man on Fire fizzles

Man on Fire is a movie undergoing an identity crisis. What was billed as an action-packed thriller has a tough time deciding whether it wants to tell the story of a ruthless man's vengeance, a broken spirit's redemption or a little girl's reunion with her mother.

The movie also can't decide whether it wants to be a slick Hollywood action flick, an ultra-stylized independent art film, or simply director Tony Scott's way of showing off how cool making the camera spin looks. However, in spite of its shortcomings, Man on Fire has plenty of redeeming moments.

The titular man on fire is John Creasy (Denzel Washington), an ex-special forces soldier who has sunk into the depths of self-hatred and alcoholism. Unless he finds something to settle down to, his friend Rayburn (Christopher Walken) fears that Creasy won't last much longer. In a last ditch attempt to save him, Rayburn gets Creasy a job protecting the daughter of a rich couple living in Mexico City, where kidnappings are apparently as common as tamales.

Only after meeting his charge does Creasy begin to change and heal. Pita (Dakota Fanning) is the angelic girl who brings him out of his shell and back into the world. However, of course just when things are at their brightest, the plot takes its worst possible turn – Creasy is shot and Pita snatched by corrupt cops and a ring of barbarous kidnappers. So Creasy does what any bodyguard worth his salt would: swear to kill anyone even remotely involved in the kidnapping.

As far as orgies of violence and revenge go, Man on Fire isn't half bad. Creasy is a formidable angel of death, repaying evil deeds with severed fingers and rocket-propelled grenades. However, the true show stealer is Dakota Fanning, who proves that she is arguably the most talented child actor in Hollywood. Her chemistry with Washington on screen is perfect and could easily carry a movie by itself.

The action scenes are excellently directed and choreographed, although one wishes there were a few more. Man on Fire is also complimented by an awesome, pounding soundtrack.

Unfortunately, the cinematography is terrible, making the movie almost un-watchable in parts. Scott needs to realize that spinning the camera in a 360-degree arc and putting random scenes in slow motion every three or four shots isn't artistic and doesn't add anything to the movie except a good dose of nausea. Also, Man on Fire is far too long for its own good, with not nearly enough plot to fill its formidable 146-minute runtime.

Overall, Man on Fire is a typical mixed-bag movie, with at least one bad point for every good one. The energetic soundtrack, fast action scenes and great performances aren't quite enough to counterbalance the abominable cinematography and terrifically boring lapses between action scenes. With 30 less minutes, 30 more action scenes and a different director, Man on Fire could have been a great movie.

Man on Fire is rated R for language and strong violence.