Denzel Washington is currently riding high on the success of Gladiator II, which has not only become the highest-grossing film of his career, but it’s also garnering significant awards buzz. He’s already picked up Critics Choice and Golden Globe Award nominations for his supporting turn and some believe an Oscar nomination could be a lock. Washington doesn’t need a reason for anyone to rediscover his films, but the interest in him is at a high at the moment, which could be why one of his signature films, 2004’s Man on Fire, has become a hit once again on streaming.
As of this writing, Man on Fire is currently ranked at number four on Tubi’s Top 10. The big selling point about Tubi, compared to other streaming services, is that the platform is free—so users can enjoy their content without breaking the bank. Its presence has only grown since launching in 2014, with 80 million monthly active users reportedly using the platform as of May of this year. A film like Man on Fire is prime for Tubi because it’s well-liked among movie fans and Washington is probably one of the most respected actors working in the industry who wouldn’t want to watch his films for free and from the comfort of their own home.
Directed by Tony Scott from a screenplay by Brian Helgeland, Man on Fire is based on the 1980 novel of the same name by A.J. Quinnell. It follows an alcoholic former CIA officer named John W. Creasy (Washington) who becomes a bodyguard and goes on a rampage of vengeance when the nine-year-old girl he was responsible for protecting is kidnapped in Mexico City. The film also stars Dakota Fanning, Christopher Walken, Radha Mitchell, Giancarlo Giannini, Marc Anthony, Rachel Ticotin, and Mickey Rourke.
‘Man on Fire’ Was A Hit With Audiences But A Miss With Most Critics
Man on Fire was a hit upon release, grossing $130.3 million worldwide on a $70 million budget, and proved to be an audience favorite, but received mixed to negative reviews from some critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film carries a 38 percent rating with a consensus that reads, “Man on Fire’s solid action and top-shelf cast are undone by a relentlessly grim story that gets harder to take the longer it goes on.” The film’s depiction of violence was a bone of contention with many critics, who disapproved of Creasy’s methods and vigilantism.
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20 Years Later, Critics Now Know They Were Wrong About Man on Fire
Despite solid box office and the presence of Denzel Washington, Man on Fire was slammed by critics for its excessive violence & grim vigilantism.
Audiences always seemed to support Man on Fire, with the film registering a much stronger audience score of 89 percent and receiving an “A-” CinemaScore from opening day audiences. The movie always played more like a film for moviegoers rather than critics, and that’s why it has continued to be a favorite 20 years later. Also worth noting was the unique bond between Washington and Fanning’s characters in the film, something that has been frequently cited as one of the main reasons the film has continued to resonate. Their time together on screen was so strong that it led to them reuniting again on the big screen in The Equalizer 3 with the pair not missing a beat all those years later.
Man on Fire is currently streaming for free on Tubi.
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