“Man on Fire” showcases Denzel Washington’s ability to break out of his stereotypical tough action roles and into a more emotional, sensitive and down-to-earth role.

The story revolves around Washington’s character, Creasy, a former government assassin who uses his experience to land himself a job as the bodyguard for Pita (Dakota Fanning), an American girl whose parents are concerned for her safety because of a string of recent kidnappings in the city.

The plot starts a bit dry at first, then proceeds into sentimentality once Pita gets Creasy to quit being anti-social. He becomes her friend, and teaches her how to start fast off the blocks during swimming meets so she has a better chance of winning.

Creasy and Pita become better friends until she is kidnapped by La Hermandad, an organized crime ring of corrupt cops. Throughout the short time after they become friends, Washington shows a sensitive and caring persona not usually predominant in some of his past efforts. Basically, Washington shows his approachable side.

“Training Day,” for instance, featured Washington playing a cop who brought justice to a bad neighborhood, yet was a criminal at the same time. At no point in the movie did he show anything but sarcasm and bitterness and a hard-nosed work ethic.

For those who would rather see Washington doing tougher roles, the movie may be a turn-off at times. The violence doesn’t become the backbone of the plot until almost halfway through. Washington plays baby sitter, friend, and confidant until Pita is kidnapped.

The movie’s storyline is intriguing for an action movie. The random blowing up of conveniently placed objects is replaced by destruction of La Hermandad’s vehicles and personnel.

Washington’s acting is both tear-jerking and joyous at the same time.

His ability to go from serious and reserved to zealous and enraged to emotional and sensitive is stellar, although he is a tad overdramatic in a few spots.

“Man on Fire” features a cast of co-stars that is solid. Christopher Walken delivers another great performance in a lesser role as Rayburn, Creasy’s rich friend who seems to have a slew of beautiful Latin women around him at all times.

Walken’s character is a serious, but funny guy who seems to have more money than he actually does, but doesn’t have a care or stress in the world. He always seems to be digging Creasy out of a hole and finding some way to lift the man’s spirits.

The only actor who is weak throughout is Marc Anthony, who plays Pita’s father. Anthony’s character is supposed to play the part of a wealthy businessman who is religiously zealous and set in his ways. Instead, he comes off as a nervous, broken-down white- collar worker who follows his religion out of paranoia and has become apathetic toward life in general.

People who love pure, raw, unaltered violence — or any other Denzel Washington movie — will love “Man on Fire.” Despite the drama and sentiment, neither of those takes away from the action.