Is anyone else as eager as I am to see the Denzel Washington revenge thriller MAN ON FIRE? This is the first movie so far this year where I feel like I want to be first in line (it's currently scheduled to hit theaters on April 23). One of my biggest problems with KILL BILL VOL. 1 (although this could change in the second half) was that its vengeful spirit seemed to be overwhelmed by style as opposed to throbbing with raw emotion. If the previews for MAN ON FIRE are any indication, Washington portrays a character even more intense than his corrupt cop in TRAINING DAY, and the fact that he's an anti-hero this time around should make it even more fun to watch. During the trailer, when he yells "Piece by piece!" I don't think there was anyone in the theater who didn't buy it.


I know this will definitely be a guy movie as it plays to the generally male-oriented theme of an eye for an eye and all of that vengeful justice stuff, but man this sure does look like a good one. Throw in director Tony Scott (whose work I've always felt was under-appreciated to some degree) and Christopher Walken in the role of the understanding wise-man, and we could have a real breakout hit on our hands. At the very least, expect plenty of stirring dialogue; corny as it is, I really like it when Walken explains that "Gracy's art is death, and he's about to paint his masterpiece." Click here to watch the trailer(s).

Posted March 17, 2004 | link