Review of 16 Blocks (2006) by James S — 23 Oct 2008

Is Mos Def the most annoying actor on the planet? If he isn't, he's certainly one of the contenders. His nasal whining throughout 16 Blocks is just one of the many reasons to avoid this dull and lacklustre so called thriller.

Bruce Willis sleepwalks his way through his part as the alcoholic cop charged with escorting the irritating Mos across 16 Blocks of New York City......a task so easy to anyone who has ever visited NYC that it's not at all surprising just how boring this movie actually makes it. Personally, I'd have got so fed up of Def's dire wibbling about his bakery business I'd have left him after a block.

The film tries to pull one or two twists but it's such an utter chore just to keep awake that these come with no welcome when all you're really wanting is the credits to roll.....or Bruce to go nuts and shoot Mos in the head.

The film doesn't even manage to take advantage of it's New York setting, utterly wasting the majesty of the great city itself. If you want to see Bruce as a down and out cop running across New York with a black companion, you would be well advised to watch the excellent Die Hard With a Vengeance, and leave this tawdry, tepid and lame movie alone.