Collateral***1/2 (2004)
This isn't just a film review, it's my first community posting. What a guy I am, join and community and promptly go on vacation for two weeks. Well time to make up for that deficit.
I saw Collateral about three weeks ago. I rather liked it.
The premise of this film is great. Guy {Tom Cruise}gets into the cab and offers the cabbie {Jamie Foxx} a wad of cash to stay with him for the rest of the night as he makes his "rounds".
Due to the laws of physics, body comes crashing through window and the cabbie clues into the real nature of his fare. Anyone who has watched the trailers would know that much.
Most of the film, is people talking. The conversations between Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx take up most of the film inter spaced with killing people.
I cannot emphasis enough, how good Tom Cruise is in this film. He is Vincent, the contract killer, the professional. Everything about him the way he walks, talks, speaks of grit. Nice suit, Salt and pepper hair. A wolf in sheep's clothing. His dialogue can also be delicious and frightening at times. "You don't want to see me cornered". Also, how he seems to be able to stare at something, and through anything without breaking contact. The night club scene is where this is most apparent. He kills about half a dozen people before the shit really hits the fan, and looks like he's barely giving any thought to his actions.
I must also say how Jamie Foxx holds his own. Jamie Foxx is the junior actor, and the junior member of the Vincent and Max duo but he still holds his own.
Jada Pinkett Smith, is also very good in this film. Her role is much smaller, but I feel as if she is really acting. The only thing I remember her is in The Matrix Reloaded, and Revolutions. She just had to act tough, but the role didn't fit very well. Here, she's tough, but in a different way.
I also really liked the music. A combination of rock and pure movie score.
The directing is definitely top-notch. Micheal Mann, seemed to film the movie with Vincent in mind. Gritty around the edges, but not to flashy. It's nice watching a movie where the director know what he's doing.
For Tom Cruise fans, a must. For movie watching people in general a very good film to spend ten bucks on. ***1/2 stars. Yes Stars, out of four.