Action

Man on Fire

Release date: April 23, 2004


The Pitch:

Former CIA agent John Creasy embarks on a path of violent revenge when his ward is kidnapped by Mexican thugs.

Why You Need It:

Straight up, Man on Fire is one of our favorite action films of the last few years. Sure, you know that Creasy (played brilliantly by Denzel Washington) will open up to his young charge, but when the kidnapping leaves him hospitalized and crazed, everything you know goes out the window as he leaves behind all moral limits to get the girl back. Creasy's descent into violent hell is gripping, terrifying and compulsively rewatchable, with Tony Scott's hyperactive visual style making it an all the more exciting and surreal experience.

Talent:

Tony Scott (director), Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Christopher Walken, Radha Mitchell, Marc Anthony, Giancarlo Giannini, Mickey Rourke, Rachel Ticotin.