Review of Collateral (2004) by Tarek F — 12 May 2014

"Collateral" Review:

"Collateral", Michael Mann's lethal shocker is destructive. The setting is shady and worry-some. The dialogue is graphic and harsh-every moment where someone's life is on the line, viewers will expect some cussing to spice up the suspense. Tom Cruise is over the top evil and he will make this this movie a night of suspense.

It starts with a cab driver that is working a night shift. Max (Jamie Foxx) picks up a contract killer named Vincent (Tom Cruise). Being forced by his life of getting killed, Max finds himself the hostage and making the numerous stops for Max to do his dirty work.

With a film where killing is involved, it is not obvious of how the movie ends. The issue with this is Vincent's laid-back attitude in the cab; he remains calm and his threats towards Max are minimal.

Max obviously knows that Vincent is going to kill him eventually. Vincent forces Max to even take him to meet his mother. Max's mother tells Vincent (in front of Max) that Max is a horrible son. This makes Max snatch Vincent's briefcase (full of his supplies) and he throws it off the bridge.

Max's decision shows his fear towards Vincent, and that Vincent's work is even more complicated to do since his briefcase was thrown off the bridge. "Collateral" is great given its deceptions of Vincent's work.

"Collateral's" action does not end. The climax is a thrill ride filled with guns, blackouts, tunnels, and express trains. For shock value, Mann's ending is one that leaves viewers to wonder what happened. If you have seen many mafia films, the ending will be similar to many mafia films, but with a more haunting twist.