Tom Cruise's jaw muscles work hard

Rating: Null/10 (8 August 2004)

I went to this movie with high expectations for a taut thriller, but though my arms were crossed throughout the movie it was because it was too air-conditioned and I was a little bored. Cruise and Foxx turned in a pair of jaw-clenching performances--with no other particular expression--though the camera work was lovely. There was one moment, when Foxx took off his glasses in a meeting with the assassin's employers, when he had an actual expression on his face. Jada Pinkett Smith was pretty but otherwise not terribly interesting.
I repeat, the camera work was lovely. Los Angeles, for the first time, seemed to have character. And the soundtrack was nice. It will be good on video. Otherwise, it's not even as good a summer time-waster as I, Robot.