Review of Collateral (2004) by Danny R — 24 Nov 2011

Michael Mann's dazzlingly stylish and intelligent thriller which follows a complex character study about a Los Angeles cab driver named Max, who is self-delusional and dreams of starting his own unique limo service, he is played superbly by Jamie Foxx in sensational Oscar nominated performance, and a mysterious gray-haired man who gets into to his cab named Vincent, played by Tom Cruise who is a revelation in a brilliant and believable depiction of stone-cold profession hit-man who is as charming as he is deadly, this is Cruise's finest dramatic performance in years.

The film begins on a warm evening when Max picks up in his cab a beautiful Africa-American woman named Annie, wonderfully played by Jada Pinkett Smith who is a district attorney, prosecuter working on a huge federal case, Max charms Annie into a conversation thats ends up with her giving him her telephone number at the end of the ride, as Annie leaves the cab, a sharply dressed Vincent gets in and explains to Max that he is in town for a short period on business and offers him $600 to chauffeur him around, Max will soon realize that he must cooperate with Vincent's demands in order to stay alive, he and his lethal passenger begin to go from location to location assassinating the marks on his list.

One of the most talented filmmakers of his generation Michael Mann does not disappoint, his phenomenal direction really keeps the tension and the suspense up throughout this fine thriller, but it is Cruise & Foxx that keep us entranced and they are absolutely electrifying together, their are also some marvelous supporting performances by Barry Shabaka, Bruce McGill, Irma P.

Hall, Javier Bardem, and a standout turn by Mark Ruffalo as a quick-witted detective who stumbles on to the trail of Viincent's murder spree. The extraordinary groundbreaking high-definition video camerawork by cinematographers Paul Cameron and Dion Beebe is truly amazing, capturing nighttime L.

A. like its never been seen before. A Richly-layer, expertly crafted motion picture that is immensely entertaining. Highly Recommened.