This Denzel Washington Thriller Only Has a 38 Percent Rotten Tomato Score, But I Think The Critics Got It Totally Wrong

Quick confession: I've been devouring a lot of Denzel Washington movies lately. After seeing his stellar performance in Gladiator II (still hoping for a Macrinus spin-off, FYI), I felt compelled to revisit some of his older classics, from Spike Lee's He Got Game to the iconic Malcolm X. And guys, I can honestly say that Washington's talent is unmatched. Not too many actors can command every scene or deliver powerful performances that resonate with fans across generations. But as much as I do enjoy watching the seasoned actor, I have to admit, not all of Washington's movies are created equal.

Most recently, I rewatched Tony Scott's 2004 adaptation of A. J. Quinnell's thriller novel, Man on Fire, then followed up with another viewing of The Bone Collector (an adaptation of the 1997 novel by Jeffery Deaver). I hadn't seen either of these films in more than a decade, so I figured I'd turn this into a little experiment and see if both films still hold up.

So first, a quick summary. Set in Mexico, the action thriller revolves around Officer John Creasy (Washington), who gets hired to protect a young girl named Lupita (Dakota Fanning). However, when Lupita gets kidnapped, he seeks revenge against all parties who were involved.

Fun fact: Man on Fire was the first Denzel Washington movie I ever saw, and boy, was I blown away. I was especially moved by the father-daughter bond between Creasy and Lupita, and Washington's incredible portrayal of Creasy had already solidified his status as one of the greatest actors of all time—or at least, in my book.

Fast-forward two decades later and I am still blown away by this film—which is why I still can't fathom why it has a 38 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Respectfully, critics couldn't be more wrong, because Washington delivers one of his best performances as the tortured and hopeless alcoholic turned vengeful hero, and Fanning is as charming as ever. Sure, those dizzying visual effects can become a tad overwhelming at certain points, but they also offer a fascinating glimpse of Creasy's mental and emotional state. I appreciated the raw and honest portrayal of depression, and Washington's performance added so much depth to a complex character. From the solid cast to its core themes of revenge, redemption and justice, I'd say Man on Fire stood the test of time.

PureWow Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars