MOVIES

I don't know whether to blame tony scott or christian wagner for the movie that is "man on fire." how much say did wagner have in post? the movie would have been great at 100 minutes, but it rolls to a stop at 146. was it drama, or action? i don't think scott wanted to pick, and it shows. two biggest miscues: Radha Mitchell picking up a southern accent half way through, and the cutesy subtitles. inovation sometimes fails, as it did here with the dancing, haphazard use of subtitles. not being a big fan of scott, i still have to say he messed up a good story. maybe that is his true gift. at least "spy game" was shown out of order when i saw it: that made up for the shabby post-production work. what was the reason this time?

Man on Fire: B-