baloney on wry

Though large chunks of the "Collateral" plot are preposterous, taken with a pinch of salt and tongue in cheek, it's a highly entertaining thrill ride through the streets of Los Angeles, while cab driver Jamie Foxx is taken hostage by sociopath hit man Tom Cruise. Foxx spends the night from hell as Cruise uses his cab for "work", and tries to find a way out of his predicament.
The film looks great, with lots of dazzling overhead shots of a bright lights and glitter LA, and it sounds good too, with a score by James Newton Howard, and some pleasant non-original music. There are many moments of humor with some witty lines between the two leads, who have a marvelous "anti-chemistry" between them, and director Michael Mann keeps the pace so fast, that as we zip from scene to scene, we don't fully realize how absurd the story is.

The cast is excellent; Cruise with gray hair and beard is in one of his best recent roles, and portrays the sadistic Vincent with a cool and cutting edge, and Foxx is terrific as the beleaguered cabbie Max. Both are in peak athletic shape, and do their share of some fast running. Jada Pinkett Smith is beautiful as a prosecuting attorney, but it is a thankless role, and she is not much more than a plot device. Others in the cast include Spanish actor (and new international star) Javier Bardem in a small part as Felix, Mark Ruffalo as Fanning, and Peter Berg as Weidner.
Put reasoning on hold, and you'll enjoy this splashy thriller, and what is ultimately a bizarre "buddy film".
Total running time is 120 minutes.

Always Know Your Fare

I'm still surprised how much I enjoyed Collateral. Generally I'm not a Tom Cruise fan, and my previous Jamie Foxx film experience was only Booty Call(I've since seen Ray). The only reason I watched this movie was that Michael Mann directed it.

I'll have to admit that the premise was intriguing to say the least, but ultimately the back and forth banter between Cruise & Fox is what elevated this film into a nerve wracking, white knuckle suspense ride; halfway through you're not sure if you're strapped in properly, but you don't care, because what's going down on screen is so damn cool. I actually found myself wishing I'd seen this in theaters. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the viewing experience.

The level of cruelty and violence Cruise's assassin displays was altogether unexpected. It's absurd and flinch worthy, almost cartoony at times, but it always is presented with flair and style. In fact the whole movie comes off as something you might see in a graphic novel. Pretty cool stuff to see get Hollywood backing.

Also, as a very nice added bonus feature you get the incredibly beautiful Jada Pinkett Smith (that Fresh Prince is one heckuva lucky guy) as the damsel in distress.

When all is said and done what you get is a witty action/drama that never seems to let up. I imagine any taxi driver after seeing this film became very wary of picking up white haired Caucasians. That alone is hilarious enough to make me recommend this movie.

FAST PACED WORTH YOUR TIME FLICK

I just read a long review on Amazon by a reviewer who said some pretty intelligent things about Michael Mann's direction.It made for an interestin read really.Sadly,I havent followed his films but he does manage to raise an important point. The Audioslave track does indeed not match the pace of the film and the time it was played.There was substantial few precious seconds devouted to it though.

To deny this film from what it deserves would be criminal.I can safely say Tom Cruise proves himself time and again as one of the best actors time has seen.He will be remembered by someone in the 22nd century as a man of great devoution to what he was good at.Jamie Foxx's character on the other hand was what be a mixture of morality and individuality.There wasnt much of a proportion between the two but he turned into a righteous individualist in the film when it mattered.

I must add it's not easy to make such precise paced flicks.There's nothing predictable to me.I quite liked the discussion of reality checks between Foxx and Cruise which made one of them go crazy.Also the discussion of Miles Davis in a jazz bar was more interesting than what I can possibly try and comprehend.

All in all,this film would go down in my memory lane as one of the best directed action/thriller films I have seen in a long time.It's not easy to make a film about just one night and spread out in a chain of events leading to one another and making it all look terrificly well done.

What I disliked about the film was its limited outlook.No,dont get me wrong because even if I try I couldnt find a flaw in the film that would make me stomp my foot hard.It's just that it perfectly fits the four star grade.

And oh yes,Tom Cruise's suit fits him like silver skin.He's a bit of a Terminator 2 villain in this film and I'm sure a lot of people would love to watch this side of the man.

Jesus,he even buys flowers...