"Collateral" (2004) - Michael Mann

On a whim last night, I went to see a late showing of Michael Mann's "Collateral" starring Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise. Having seen the trailers and read a few short articles about it, I hadn't planned to see it in the theatre. Perhaps that lack of expectation helped things a little, but I was pleasantly surprised. In this exciting action film, an average LA cab driver (Foxx) is drawn into the dangerous world of crime lords and cops when he picks up a hired assissin (Cruise). Forced to taxi this killer around, the cabbie beginnings to realize that he isn't likely to live through the night. The film offers excellent action without going over the top, enough humour to keep it real, but not excessive, and cast that has surprising chemistry.

“Collateral” is a great “What If” movie, whose protagonist is real enough to sympathize with, while remaining flawed enough to identify with. Faced with few options, Foxx's character finds himself in situations that could only happen in movies, threatening drug barons and firing guns. Surprisingly, Mann resists the common Hollywood temptation of turning the character into an instant “Rambo”, but keeps him awkward enough to be believable.

Other than a slightly disappointing, compromised and somewhat predictable ending, the film was enjoyable. If you are an action buff, you won't be disappointed. Don't expect too many Oscar nominations, but you will get a good story told by a great director and played by a great cast.