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Man on Fire

year 2004decade 00sdirector Tony Scottgenre Actiongenre Crimegenre Dramagenre Thriller

146 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Denzel Washington John W. Creasy
Dakota Fanning Lupita Ramos
Christopher Walken Paul Rayburn
Giancarlo Giannini Miguel Manzano
Radha Mitchell Lisa Ramos
Marc Anthony Samuel Ramos
Rachel Ticotin Mariana
Mickey Rourke Jordan Kalfus
Jesus Ochoa Fuentes
Angelina Peláez Sister Anna
Gustavo Sánchez Parra Daniel Sanchez

Man on Fire | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanproducer Craig Horlbeck
Explore episodeClose episode

Half-Assed Internet Research

Rourke friction; missing teeth; weapons training; crew danger; deleted ending and romance

In the discussion (18)
Approx. transcript time · 00:16:00Read transcript
  • The novel and Scott Glenn film predate this version.
  • Brian Helgeland reportedly discovered the earlier film through video-store clerk Tarantino’s recommendation.
  • Denzel reportedly told Blackfilm that Scott's long passion for the material and desire to follow The Hunger with it persuaded him.
  • Rourke and Denzel reportedly did not get along.
  • Imagined Rourke resentment about the lead role is a joke, not sourced motivation.
  • Fanning's missing front teeth reportedly were nearly replaced with fakes before filmmakers chose the natural look, which the hosts favor.
  • Denzel reportedly trained with a weapons specialist for ten days.
  • Police reportedly warned the filmmakers about being targeted.
  • Crew members reportedly were robbed.
  • The kidnappers reportedly were modeled on the Arizmendi gang, with 300 million in ransom attributed to it by the podcast.
  • The deleted ending has Creasy detonate his own internal bomb at the Voice’s house.
  • Scott reportedly cut that revenge ending for tone, but the hosts question the explanation given earlier violence.
  • A deleted adult Lisa/Creasy sex scene is discussed.
  • Remaining dialogue is said to lack context after the scene’s removal.
  • The deleted romance is compared with Proof of Life.
  • The deleted romance would shift the film’s tone and is opposed.
  • Another connecting scene between Lisa and Creasy is desired.
  • A prior-bodyguard relationship and marital problems are speculative interpretations of Lisa’s dialogue.

Roger Ebert's review

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:22:12Read transcript
  • Ebert’s actual score is two-and-a-half stars; no scale is spoken.
  • The hosts imagine Ebert privately liked it at three-and-a-half but lowered it to preserve critical credibility.
  • Ebert’s praise for craft and Denzel contrasts with his objections to action repetition and a gimmicky ending; the hosts disagree.

Most Rewatchable Scene

Bridge reunion; Fuentes; swimming practice

In the discussion (21)
Approx. transcript time · 00:25:23Read transcript
  • The first two Denzel/Walken conversations are grouped as a scene candidate.
  • A Yellowstone-style ongoing series featuring the pair is imagined.
  • Walken’s restrained eccentricity and half-speed line are admired.
  • The first car argument and Pita moving to the backseat show her defiance rather than passive hurt.
  • The first smile, girlfriend question, swimming training and meet are grouped as a ten-minute emotional revival; Denzel brings light back to Creasy's eyes.
  • The kidnapping is a scene favorite for its suspenseful staging.
  • The dog and reversed frame are admired in the kidnapping sequence.
  • The police arrival escalates the kidnapping sequence.
  • Surviving four gunshots prompts a plausibility objection.
  • Creasy’s vow to kill everyone involved is a scene candidate.
  • The driver’s finger-removal torture is a scene candidate.
  • The torture scenes are enumerated as fingers, rave and Fuentes.
  • Walken’s death-as-art monologue is admired.
  • Killing attackers and stealing a car is an enjoyable scene.
  • Blowing up Fuentes is an enjoyable scene.
  • Confronting Samuel and Lisa is an enjoyable scene.
  • Shooting off a hand is another enjoyed scene.
  • The bridge reunion and last fourteen minutes are the host's final scene choice.
  • Fuentes is a final scene choice, beginning with the rocket-launcher visit and arranging-the-meeting line.
  • The older couple’s calm response during the Fuentes sequence is amusing.
  • Swimming practice is the final scene choice; it could sustain hours of viewing. — Craig Horlbeck

What’s Aged the Best?

Mexico City; score; Marc Anthony; swimming; The Voice; La Hermandad; weapons; memory camera; golf simulator

In the discussion (19)
Approx. transcript time · 00:34:34Read transcript
  • Aged best: the alarming opening kidnapping statistics immediately hook a viewer; these are film graphics, not independently verified statistics.
  • The opening kidnapping card is compared with Sicario and Den of Thieves cards.
  • Mexico City is praised as an action setting, compared with Brazil in Fast Five and City of God.
  • The score discussion corrects the implication that Reznor composed all of it: Harry Gregson-Williams handles much of the score.
  • Marc Anthony makes the interview with Creasy believable.
  • Samuel being pushed by his wife and lawyer is praised.
  • Samuel initially seeming likable makes his betrayal more painful.
  • Fanning’s swimming is an aged-best choice.
  • Scott films the children’s meet with unusually intense sports coverage.
  • A niece’s swim meet reportedly inspired Scott to include one.
  • The Voice is admired as a kidnapping antagonist’s name.
  • A Dallas/book-depository kidnapping film is jokingly proposed.
  • La Hermandad is admired as an evil-organization name, while translating it as brotherhood makes the explanation redundant.
  • The weapons-shopping list and warning about war are admired.
  • Watching Denzel choose weapons remains enjoyable despite real-world gun concerns.
  • Giving Samuel one bullet and telling him to do the right thing is admired as a grim movie moment, not personal advice.
  • Camera work represents Creasy’s memory and threat perception.
  • Reconstructing the kidnapping by revisiting the site is compared with Blow Out.
  • Samuel's golf simulator is an admired prop, with its short physical ball travel explained.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

John Wick influence; Davante Adams tribute; final surrender; torture endurance; Mitchell’s career

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:36:43Read transcript
  • Radha Mitchell's limited stardom is questioned; she is compared with Ashley Judd and Kathleen Quinlan being confined to wife roles, and imagined in Heat's wife part.
  • Unanswerable: how directly John Wick borrowed the damaged retired-assassin manner from Creasy, despite different worldbuilding.
  • Davante Adams's unsmiling walk after catches is jokingly compared with Creasy leaving an explosion.
  • Why Creasy does not kill everyone at the end is answered by his awareness that accumulated wounds are fatal; joking bleed-it-out comparisons are not medical advice.
  • How many fingers one could lose before confessing gets an immediate-surrender answer; portraying torture pain without parody is also questioned.

The Den of Thieves Benihana Award for Scene-Stealing Location

Family house; bridge; newspaper offices

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:41:37Read transcript
  • Samuel and Lisa’s house is a scene-stealing location.
  • Downsizing the house before arranging a kidnapping is questioned.
  • The bridge is another scene-stealing location choice.
  • The newspaper's open-air offices are another scene-stealing location choice.

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

Death-date cards; underused official; hospital slowdown

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:42:31Read transcript
  • No weak link is initially offered.
  • The post-shooting slowdown is a possible weak link.
  • The underused official’s final killing feels unearned compared with the journalist’s work.
  • The unnecessary death-date cards are the strongest weak-link objection.
  • Deleted scenes reportedly explain some missing context.

What’s Aged the Worst?

Fanning’s unfulfilled megastar expectations; violence; accents; rave outfit

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:43:46Read transcript
  • Aged worst: the expectation that Fanning would become the world's biggest actress did not materialize, with difficulty sustaining childhood fame acknowledged.
  • Some violence is an aged-worst possibility, but it was already extreme at release.
  • Mitchell’s emerging Southern accent is criticized.
  • Denzel’s inconsistent, mumbled Spanish is criticized.
  • His reported three-month language training is treated skeptically.
  • Creasy's uncomfortable rave bandana is an aged-worst choice; the club and indestructible-avenger elements are seen as precedents for John Wick.

The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie

Arrange the meeting; death as art; off to the next life

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:46:14Read transcript
  • Arranging the meeting with God is a best-quote choice.
  • Revenge as a cold meal is called the cheesiest cliché.
  • Walken’s death-as-art/masterpiece speech is a best-quote choice, with debate over whether it counts as a monologue.
  • The off-to-the-next-life warning is another quote choice.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Favorite Denzel film; kidnapping as business plan (joke)

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:46:37Read transcript
  • Hottest take: this is the host's favorite Denzel film.
  • Samuel’s father’s gambling prompts jokes about following sports picks.
  • A deliberately provocative joke floats the kidnapping as a business plan.

Picking Nits

Kidnapping plan; wounded survival; investigation shortcuts; journalist involvement; mother’s trips

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:47:27Read transcript
  • The staged kidnapping is rejected as an absurd risk to one’s child, especially with armed Creasy guarding her.
  • Leaving Creasy alive in hospital is questioned.
  • The lawyer’s 25 percent fee is questioned.
  • Creasy surviving four shots and continually bleeding during recovery seems implausible to the hosts.
  • Torture victims retaining enough blood after severed fingers or a shot-off hand seems implausible to the hosts.
  • The investigation’s steps are hard to follow even on repeated viewings.
  • A deleted scene reportedly shows Samuel beheading the lawyer.
  • Creasy locating a secret network so soon after intensive care seems too easy.
  • The journalist's wholehearted support for a vigilante operation without editorial challenge is questioned; her imagined immediate murder is speculation, not a stated film event.
  • Why does Lisa accompany business trips during the kidnapping crisis instead of staying with Pita? — Craig Horlbeck

Casting What-Ifs

Crowe; De Niro; Cruise; Willis; Smith; Brando; Walken role change; Fuqua/Bay

This discussion recalls a choice from an earlier episode.

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 00:50:15Read transcript
  • Scott reportedly offered Creasy to Crowe, who declined because he had made Proof of Life.
  • De Niro is a reported casting possibility, treated skeptically.
  • Cruise is a reported possibility from the project’s long history.
  • Willis is a reported possibility from the project’s long history.
  • Smith is intriguing, but would not match Denzel.
  • Brando as Rayburn is treated as a doubtful casting report.
  • Walken reportedly switched from the lawyer because he was tired of villains.
  • Fuqua reportedly was offered directing.
  • Bay reportedly was offered directing.

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

Creasy/Rayburn prequel; prestige TV; adult-Pita sequel; Creasy survival or coaching

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:50:42Read transcript
  • A Woman on Fire sequel with adult Fanning taking Creasy's job is proposed, but her reported 5-foot 4 height prompts doubt about physical plausibility.
  • The death card unnecessarily closes off sequels.
  • A survival sequel could have Creasy escape a cellar after the car ride.
  • Creasy could instead become a renowned swimming coach.
  • A Creasy/Rayburn prequel covering 1980s–1990s missions is desired.
  • Prestige television could work with an excellent Pita actress sustaining extended bonding scenes.
  • A Terry Thorne sequel after Alice returns to her husband is imagined.
  • Walken and Caruso’s Dino could join that alternative version.
  • An alternating Scott/Bay imagined-remakes podcast is proposed.
  • Either Fuqua or Bay directing a new version interests a host.

Apex Mountain

Fanning (qualified); children’s swim meets; Man on Fire as kidnapping film (qualified); Mexico City action locale

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:55Read transcript
  • Denzel is rejected for Apex.
  • Tony Scott is rejected for Apex.
  • Walken is rejected for Apex.
  • Fanning receives an affirmative but qualified Apex argument for meeting Denzel at a generational-child-star moment.
  • Children's swim meets receive emphatic Apex, with an imagined swim documentary series.
  • Taken initially gets kidnapping-film Apex for sequels, commercial success and making Neeson an action star.
  • Man on Fire is the preferred kidnapping film personally, with Proof of Life close behind.
  • The discussion ends favoring Man on Fire, with Denzel’s importance tipping the comparison.
  • Ticotin's Apex goes to Total Recall.
  • Mexico City as action locale receives affirmative Apex.

Just One Oscar

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:31Read transcript
  • Denzel is the initial hypothetical Oscar choice.
  • Fanning is proposed for supporting actress instead.
  • The full discussed field is Blanchett for The Aviator, Linney for Kinsey, Okonedo for Hotel Rwanda, Portman for Closer and Madsen for Sideways.
  • Portman is the proposed replacement, with the final preference remaining Fanning.

The Andy and Red – Zihuatanejo Award for What Happens the Next Day?

Pita’s swimming future and trauma

The panel is imagining how this might look in the future.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:09Read transcript
  • Pita may swim competitively in Creasy’s honor, though height may limit Olympic hopes.
  • The kidnapping, exchange and knowledge of her father’s role will likely scar Pita.
  • Continuity involving the dog and nanny is joked about.

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Rave outfit; chain

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:12Read transcript
  • The varsity jacket is considered, but the full rave outfit is preferred; the rocket launcher is disallowed.
  • The chain is another choice.
  • A reported 430, 000-dollar Shawshank Bible auction prompts debate about memorabilia's practical enjoyment versus wearable film aviators; the chain remains the final choice.

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Never arrange your child’s kidnapping; replace the disrespectful lawyer

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:43Read transcript
  • Never arrange one’s child’s kidnapping is the life lesson.
  • Replace a lawyer who crudely sexualizes one’s wife is another lesson.

Who Won the Movie?

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:07Read transcript
  • Winner discussion starts with an explicit Denzel choice, then rejects the assumption of Fanning and opens a case for Tony Scott.
  • Tony Scott is praised for hallucinatory style retaining a clear plot, but a final for-me-it-is-Denzel declaration follows; Denzel, Fanning, Scott and Walken form a praised four-person group, not four ballots.
Podcast choices

Producer review

Fanning is nearly irreplaceable

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:49Read transcript
  • Fanning may be a top-five 21 st-century performance by an irreplaceability criterion: comparable adult stars are easier to substitute. No complete top-five list is given. — Craig Horlbeck

More from the conversation

Full name Craig Horlebeck is introduced as our producer alongside Fantasy Football Show; Chris Ryan and Bill Simmons are the hosts.
Approx. transcript time · 00:00:56Read transcript
The film is among favorite action movies of the previous20years, with Fast Five a competing favorite; any stage of the story supports dropping into a rewatch, and watching Denzel kill villains is a simple pleasure.
Approx. transcript time · 00:02:28Read transcript
Creasy and Pita's developing relationship becomes more rewarding on rewatch, especially for a father recalling his daughter at nine or ten; the kidnapping still hurts despite foreknowledge.
Approx. transcript time · 00:03:53Read transcript
The modern revenge story is linked to The Searchers, Death Wish and Point Blank.
Approx. transcript time · 00:04:46Read transcript
Denzel's long1987–2012 run and1992–2012 automatic-ticket status are praised; Tony Scott collaborations are enumerated imperfectly, with Crimson Tide initially forgotten.
Approx. transcript time · 00:05:06Read transcript
After a post-Training Day acting crisis, Tony Scott reportedly caught Denzel at the right time; this may be the host's favorite Denzel film because it combines charm, alcoholic vulnerability, revenge and connection.
Approx. transcript time · 00:06:19Read transcript
Largely improvised Walken scenes and believable Fanning chemistry contrast with dismissive reviews; revenge is compared to Unforgiven's reluctant but necessary violence.
Approx. transcript time · 00:07:35Read transcript
Creasy asking whether God will forgive them and Walken answering no efficiently establish their past.
Approx. transcript time · 00:08:14Read transcript
An earlier Scott Glenn adaptation set in Italy is noted; an older revenge template meets post9/11 ex-CIA characters.
Approx. transcript time · 00:08:29Read transcript
Scott's exposed frames, dissolves, color and rapid cutting are compared with Jason Williams's inventive passing; the conventional revenge story receives unusually adventurous treatment.
Approx. transcript time · 00:09:09Read transcript
The bridge finale is among a host's favorite sequences of the century; its imagery becomes emotionally complicated in light of Scott's later death.
Approx. transcript time · 00:10:18Read transcript
The simple central story sustains chaotic style better than Domino; extraordinary violence and Pita's loving goodbye coexist in a way few revenge films achieve.
Approx. transcript time · 00:10:57Read transcript
Pita restores Creasy's reason to live; a BFI article reportedly describes Scott's cross-processing and manipulated film stock as productive accidents, and Denzel nicknamed him Nine-Camera Tony.
Approx. transcript time · 00:12:02Read transcript
The muted reception is puzzling to the hosts; one explanation is that sentimental first-half drama and depraved second-half violence alienate opposite audiences.
Approx. transcript time · 00:13:02Read transcript
Denzel's trajectory from He Got Game, The Siege and The Hurricane through Training Day, Inside Man, American Gangster, Pelham, Unstoppable and Flight is discussed, including changing age and Oscar ambitions.
Approx. transcript time · 00:13:35Read transcript
Mexico City's atmosphere is praised; a later soccer trip involved restricted hotel-area movement, and the relocation from Italy reflects the change in kidnapping context.
Approx. transcript time · 00:15:23Read transcript
Fanning's performance is crucial: a mediocre or irritatingly precocious child would undermine the film, but missing teeth and natural behavior keep her believable.
Approx. transcript time · 00:17:05Read transcript
An unranked favorite10-and-under performance list includes Culkin in The Good Son, Justin Henry in Kramer vs.Kramer, Henry Thomas in E.T., Fanning here, Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine and Drew Barrymore in Irreconcilable Differences; Stand by Me, Bad News Bears teenagers and Portman's Professional performance fall outside the age cutoff.
Approx. transcript time · 00:18:03Read transcript
The hosts infer Fanning rejuvenated Denzel; Creasy's gradual change from openly alcoholic loner through swimming coach to avenger avoids saccharine shortcuts.
Approx. transcript time · 00:19:28Read transcript
Adult Fanning reportedly receives many Man on Fire questions; the announced Equalizer3 reunion with Denzel excites the hosts.
Approx. transcript time · 00:20:39Read transcript
Reported budget65million and gross130million illustrate Denzel's reliable commercial draw, with Cruise, Smith, Reeves and the evolving Fast franchise compared.
Approx. transcript time · 00:21:25Read transcript
Denzel's fame may obscure his acting range; The Siege and He Got Game exemplify an unusually high performance floor even outside awards roles.
Approx. transcript time · 00:29:17Read transcript
Favorite21st-century action films include Fast Five, John Wick2 and Man on Fire; The Dark Knight is excluded as comic-book genre, and Den of Thieves/The Town prompt crime-versus-action disagreement rather than a settled expanded list.
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:57Read transcript
More Mickey Rourke and less Giannini are desired, with Giannini's presence requiring explanation; Rourke's changed appearance and boxing are discussed.
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:25Read transcript
A child-acting Oscar is proposed, with Tremblay in Room praised; child winners/nominations are discussed through Paquin, Osment and Tatum O'Neal, correcting Osment to nominee only.
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:43Read transcript
Successful transitions from child acting are illustrated by Bale, River Phoenix, Slater, Hawke and Julia Butters, whose identity is initially uncertain then supplied.
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:30Read transcript
Fanning never seems to act; the swim-meet embrace and final goodbye are distinct emotional peaks for the hosts.
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:53Read transcript
Denzel's coach/mentor quality inspires jokes about real school or football coaching, with Remember the Titans and Training Day comparisons.
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:18Read transcript
Full spoken produced-by Craig Horlbeck credit closes the episode; Chris Ryan is thanked.
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:56Read transcript