4.0 out of 5 stars
Two GREAT Denzel Movies!!, November 27, 2010
This review is from: Man on Fire/Courage Under Fire (DVD)
Make sure you receive BOTH Man on Fire PLUS Courage Under Fire when ordering this. It should come as a 2-pack movie deal.
As for the movie reviews:
Man on Fire is a remake of the original movie of same name, I didn't know this when I first saw this movie with Denzel Washington, but have since seen both and hands down Denzel's version of this movie is LEAPS AND BOUNDS better then the original. Dakota Fanning is amazing as the little girl who is kidnapped by a Mexican dirty gov't/drug cartel type group. Denzel is an ex-CIA combat type who has a relationship with the bottle but is given one last job as a bodyguard for a rich family. Marc Anthony (yes, Jennifer Lopez' husband) is the father and marries an American woman with a little girl. He is in major financial trouble but no one, including his family, knows so he is desperate to keep up appearances and makes a deal that will forever change his life. I'm a HUGE Christopher Walken fan, so I thoroughly enjoyed watching 2 of my all-time faves play brilliantly together in this movie. He plays Denzel's "boss" and also an old comrade who lines up this last job for Denzel. GREAT chemistry between all actors/actresses and this movie is DEFINITELY fast-paced and will never leave you bored. I was on the edge of my seat with emotions thanks to Denzel and his role. He's supposed to be this no-nonsense tough guy who feels nothing for his "assignment" yet ends up going to any length possible to ensure Dakota's safe return and making any, and EVERY, one involved with her kidnapping pay. And pay they do. He gives new meaning to "karma" and delivers it to those who deserve it in...let's say...."unforgettable" ways!!! You'd be a fool to miss out on this movie, especially if you claim to love Denzel Washington as an actor. Not a movie to watch with the small kiddo's but definitely stupid to pass up. Your movie collection will only be that much better by adding this to it. I give this movie 5.5/5 stars (yes I did mean 5.5 because to me it really went above and beyond the scope that this movie is intended to be)
Courage Under Fire is another Hollywood take on the military type of movie. Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington are top billing in this movie but make no mistake, it is DEFINITELY a movie carried heavily by Denzel Washington's fine acting ability. Matt Damon, early in his career, plays one of the soldiers under Meg's command and you'll be very shocked to see what lengths he went to physically for this part. Meg Ryan is a section commander under scrutiny for her actions displayed overseas during the war. Denzel plays the soldier who is to investigate the details of the situation and find out whether Meg deserves the medals she is up for. Let's just say there are many who do NOT want her to receive them due to age-old stigma of being a female in the Military and one who has a high up ranking. This is a past-tense movie, meaning Meg Ryan's character is deceased, and it is the actions surrounding her death that the soldiers in her charge have varying stories Denzel has to make sense of and sift through to find the truth. I personally couldn't "buy" Meg's tough nuts gung-ho military persona because, well, this is Suzie Q of Hollywood and is not known for having a wide array of characters played in her movies. Demi Moore was WAY more believable in GI Jane so please if you are watching this movie hoping for Meg to pull that off for you, in my female opinion, you are gonna be VERY disappointed. But that was honestly the ONLY disappointment for me, the rest of the movie was very enjoyable and Denzel yet again was brilliant. Lou Diamond Phillips also had an important part in this movie, he was another soldier being interviewed for what he saw/didn't see and like Matt Damon's character, you won't believe what happens to them in the end. Well worth the money to buy this movie and if getting it as a 2-pack deal with Man on Fire then you are REALLY getting double the enjoyment for a very very low price!! I give this movie 3.75/5 stars.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1.0 out of 5 stars
Be careful when purchasing this item!, December 1, 2009
This review is from: Man on Fire/Courage Under Fire (DVD)
please make sure the shipper of this dvd sends you the right copy which should be a double dvd w/both Man on Fire & Courage Under Fire. I was sent the dvd w/only Courage Under Fire...Shipper has not called me back to send a new dvd plus is cost more to return the dvd then what it's worth.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
