Man on Fire is a story that first hit my radar, like many of you, when Denzel Washington stepped into the role of ex-CIA operative John Creasy in Tony Scott’s 2004 action film. The story of that film, like NetflixThe new creator, draws inspiration from AJ Quinnell’s book of the same name – the first in a five-book series.
For all intents and purposes, the 2004 film is a solid adaptation, and thanks to the performances of Washington (who plays Creasy) and young Dakota Fanning, it has stood the test of time and remains a quality performer worth digging into.
And, probably like many of you, I’m shocked to say that Netflix’s adaptation of Quinnell’s work piece is so high.
If you’ve been paying attention to the numbers, you already know that Man on Fire hit the top of Netflix’s streaming charts with 11 million views in the first four days of the show in the region. It was these stories that compelled me to try the program — and I was hooked.
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Netflix’s Man on Fire is not a remake of the 2004 film because the series loosely adapts the original material. Taking a note from shows of the same ilk, such as Reacher and Cross, Man on Fire takes its own creative liberties while using books as a narrative basis. And it works brilliantly.
This Man on Fire takes to the streets of Brazil, changing the conflict of the first story, while sticking to the basics of a tough guy who does anything and everything to protect a girl who is being hunted by gangs and terrorists bent on killing her. That is only one part of a complex and violent puzzle.
If it sounds difficult, that’s because it is. But thanks to the clever writing and emotional resonance of the characters, the film is as gripping and heartfelt as it is bloody.
You want to watch this battered man burn for this cause — of course Death Wish for the new generation.
Abdul-Mateen stars in Man on Fire on Netflix.
Abdul-Mateen stars as Creasy in this version, changing the character’s history from being a CIA officer to a Special Forces man suffering from PTSD, and from the get-go, the emotional issues are palpable. They step up a notch in each episode, justifying Creasy’s Jack Bauer-style actions, all with the motive of enforcing justice and eliminating every criminal they cross paths with.
Abdul-Mateen held himself to the role, quickly removing the remnants of Washington’s performance two decades earlier. And that is not an easy task. However, as we have seen from the roles taken by the actor, from Dr. Manhattan in HBO’s Watchmen to play Candyman in the 2021 horror remake again. Wonder Man earlier this year on Disney Plus, he has the range and a great ability to wear his heart on his sleeve, no matter what his character has to do on screen.
In short, you can’t help but root for Abdul-Mateen, which means it’s almost impossible not to root for Creasy.
It’s not just about him though. Every character that graces the screen in Man on Fire is legitimately (as the kids say) fire. Bobby Cannavale takes a hot second to remind everyone how good he is. Alice Braga, as Valeria, serves as a supporting point in Creasy’s hot streak.
It’s Billie Boullet as Poe, the teenage girl Creasy protects from all possible danger, who steals the show, however. He has the same kind of intense emotional expression that Fanning had in relation to Washington, yet it’s affecting in a different and better way here. He is much older than Fanning, and the character he plays is from earlier pictures. That only works for him, allowing him to find his own feelings for the character. Boullet paired with Abdul-Mateen is a great matchup, full stop.
Instead of taking place in Mexico City, where Washington unleashed hell in Tony Scott’s movie, this version sends Creasy to Brazil. The Netflix series shows the beautiful, tourist-friendly landscapes of the country, then explores it, taking us deep into the favelas to explore a culture that is often distorted.
Every time I watched the show, I found myself leaning in close to see the surroundings of each scene. Was this shot in a studio in front of a green screen or on location? I am happy to say that it was shot in many urban locations, such as Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro. That affective authenticity makes the story come to life in the way it needs to, embracing its authenticity rather than re-creating it posthumously.
Oh, and did I mention how loaded and violent this game is? I did it, but it’s happening again.
This is Jason Bourne-style action, in the form of a TV show where each episode lasts about 40 minutes. If ever there was a way to guarantee my attention and keep me glued to the screen for hours on end, everything I just mentioned — from the writing to the acting and the viscera in between — adds up to the perfect formula to do just that. If you’re like me and you’ve read this far (so I assume you are), you’ll feel the same way.
