MAN ON FIRE demands every ounce of disbelief disbanded so that this action thriller will be acceptable and believable. Every episode contains complicated fight scenes that move at lightning speed. It is not for those who have a soft center. Wild, threatening, violence lurks at each corner of insane, dramatic scenarios utilizing revenge and retribution as major themes.
John Creasy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (WONDER MAN, WATCHMEN) is one mean, angry anti-hero who will stop at nothing to complete his mission. Though he is suffering from mega doses of PTSP, it would not be wise to lie when Creasy asks a question. The writers made sure Creasy is someone no one could beat. Mateen was a powerhouse of grit and raw, emotional peaks. He strutted, pouted, and ignored every attempt to be knocked down. Creasy is a complicated and compelling character. Mateen made sure audiences got that message and then some.
Placing the plot in Brazil was perfect. Shady law enforcement and crooked federal agents made it easy to blur the rule of law boundaries. The honest reflections of poverty vs. the extremely wealthy was painfully clear. Pay-offs made life bearable as well as maintaining an enormous closet filled with fire power.
The surrounding ensemble was strong and realistically defined the gang-inspired, Brazilian lifestyle. The series also made sure to set-up another season of CIA, off-the books operations should Creasy accept another mission.
MAN ON FIRE is pure escapism. It is entertaining and exciting because when Creasy says you will die, there is no doubt about surviving his wrath. MAN ON FIRE is not a new concept, and might be considered somewhat predictable. If this is your bag, then you wonโt be disappointed. It is streaming on Netflix.
