IT'S a bad time to be a rich kid in Mexico City with desperate kidnappers working overtime to secure huge ransoms from wealthy parents.

Creasy (Denzel Washington), a washed-up, alcoholic marine, is hired as a bodyguard to protect Pita (Dakota Fanning) - a job which he makes very clear does not interest him.

Slowly but surely Creasy and the child develop a strong bond and when the worst happens and Pita is kidnapped, the bodyguard is hell-bent on making those responsible pay.

Although this is a superb revenge film, the best element of it is the rapport between Washington and Fanning - there are an abundance of touching moments which cannot fail to warm the hearts of even the most cynical film viewers.

Despite her age and lack of experience, Fanning works wonderfully with the acting king that is Denzel Washington.

Man on Fire has a number of twists, some which you can see coming a mile off and others which really will come as a surprise.

A wonderful plot, strong script and acting which simply cannot be faulted makes this a truly enjoyable watch.

HC