Collateral

Rating: 7/10 (10 April 2005)

A supposed action movie starring Jamie Foxx, of all people, and Tom Cruise as the bad guy; that's about as bad as movie formulas get, right? Boy was this film a surprise. Director Michael Mann, famous for such films as Heat and Last of the Mohicans, has created a cool, stylistic and thrilling crime drama with unexpectedly fine acting, excellent cinematography, great sound and a gripping story.
Story The film opens with a bearded, grey-haired Tom Cruise exchanging his suitcase at the airport. This older, slyer Cruise is much different than what movie-goers have come to expect, and Cruise definitely pulls it off. As soon as we are introduced to Cruise's character, the movie shifts to a taxi station, where we see Max (Jamie Foxx) getting into his cab and leaving for his normal shift. Jamie Foxx is definitely an interesting pick, considering he was mostly known for comedy and Booty Call up until this point, but Foxx gives a surprisingly breakout performance and establishes himself as a future big-time star. The shift starts off like any other and Max picks up Annie (Jada Pinkett Smith), a no nonsense lawyer who quickly gives very specific directions. Eventually, the characters start to open up and the fare becomes one long conversation. The interesting opening gives insight into the character of Max, and also introduces us to Annie, who will reappear in the climax of the film. Max drops off Annie downtown and then, under unusual circumstances, picks up Vincent (Cruise). Vincent attempts to connect with Max, but to no avail. But when Vincent is brought to his desired destination, he proposes a deal: he has to make five stops, and he is willing to pay seven-hundred dollars for the night. Max accepts because it is only a "part-time job" to pay the bills. This marks the beginning of the relationship between the cold, always in control hit-man Vincent and the bumbling cabbie Max. The suspense starts setting in when Max realizes he isn't just driving around a customer, he's taking part in a series of assassinations! Collateral isn't a dumbed down, generic action flick but rather a smart, enthralling drama set around these two men and this one night. Mann uses controlled settings exceptionally well, with much of the movie taking place inside of the cab and all of the events taking place in one single night. The use of character development in a suspense-thriller as opposed to unnecessary action is refreshing change. The film is such a wild, top-notch experience that the ending is a little disappointing, but not entirely bad. Smart dialogue and meaningful character relationships are rare now days, so believe me when I say Collateral is a very fresh and well executed movie. It is by no means perfect though. After the hard-hitting first two acts, the ending was disappointing and dare I say over the top. While Collateral is still a quality film, a weak end prevents an all-around instant classic.
Cinematography With great camera work and amazing lighting effects, Collateral features some of the best cinematography I've seen in a while. Mann's beautiful L.A. night really is an incredible treat, with the empty streets and stunning shade of lights, dominated by a blue tint. Collateral just has so much style, due in part to the visual masterpiece we see on screen. Later on is what I consider to be one of the best shots of the film, when Max and Vincent are driving along an empty highway when a few coyotes walk across the street. The way in which the coyotes cross, Vincent's facial expression, the entire scene is skillfully crafted and is one of the main visual highlights. The top-notch style and cinematography sets it apart both from other movies in recent years as well as movies within the genre.
Sound The sound and music is another strong point of the film, with nice, loud sound effects and a mood setting soundtrack. The music seems to coordinate perfectly with the action and camera work, and it creates numerous memorable scenes. When Vincent and Max go into the "jazz club" at the third stop, it is unforgettable. The "Fever Nightclub" scene is edge-of-your-seat action, with the music once working perfectly. The sound compliments the style, and really adds to the film.
DVD The quality is first-rate, and there are some interesting special features spanning the two discs. "City of Night", a behind the scenes documentary, is intriguing and enjoyable. Also included are features on Cruise and Foxx, a deleted scene with commentary from Mann, "Shooting on Location: Annie's Office", and "Visual FX: MTA Train". Technical information: English DTS 5.1 Digital Surround Sound, English and French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, English Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; 2:40:1 Theatrical Aspect Ratio, enhanced for widescreen TV's.
Overall Collateral is an excellent, stylized drama, with heavy emphasis on smart dialogue and character development. An all around solid performance, it performs exceptionally well in the sound and cinematography departments. Too bad it could not remain consistent, because the film really had something going. Entertaining, thrilling, witty, and gripping, Collateral is one of the best films of 2004.