So an American (ex CIA) is living in Mexico, and is hired as a bodyguard for some other rich Americans. He's fairly professional, but is an alcoholic (which is portrayed as a problem, but as far as I can tell it doesn't affect his work). The kid he is guarding gets kidnapped, and he spends the rest of the movie going off on a Japanese style revenge tangent.
Much of it is filmed in an interesting style, that doesn't always work (not subtle enough). There is an interesting use of text. These can be explained away as subtitles for Spanish, but also for many English scenes to help make certain phrases stand out. It reminds me of that 'Human Planet' series. There are also lots of trippy fade effects, which are fun but often overdone. I'm killing Cartel members, not at a rave - although in one scene he is. The music was also often over the top, the use of the Gaelic music was especially stupid. every time it starts playing I was pulled right out of the movie.
The acting was decent, but nothing more. Christopher Walken made an appearance, which means a guaranteed smile from me, but the main characters were nothing to write home about - though they seemed to be doing their best.
The kid was cute (intelligent, rather than the usual whiny and sticky looking) and was played by a competent actor. While i knew her relationship with the bodyguard was a set up to make
the kidnapping hurt more, their acting was at least such that I still found myself caring enough about her
to be sad when it happened. I'm got gunna lie (I pronounce it "gunna" not "gonna", so that's how I think I'll write it), my eyes were getting a little watery at the end as Creasy (CIA guy) and the girl were saying goodbye, but then oh wait, here comes more of the 'Braveheart' music to ruin it.
I'll let you go now, but one more thing - some of the bloody slaying of the people involved in the kidnapping industry left a sour taste in my mouth. I had not yet been acquainted with them, and so had no strong feelings about them either way. OK, that's me. See ya.
Man on Fire: 36.0