Michael Mann keeps the pacing and suspense taut

Rating: Null/10 (6 October 2004)

Collateral (2004) Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Berg, Bruce McGill, Irma P. Hall, D: Michael Mann. A cab driver finds himself the hostage in his own taxi of a contract killer who forces to have him driven to each destination during a single night in L.A. To remain alive, the cabbie learns he must go along with the hit-man's game. Compelling thriller has enough quiet moments of conversation between its characters, but also concludes with some action scenes. Cruise is fierce in the part of Vincent, the killer who has a surprising humanity, and Foxx is equally effective. Skillful craftsmanship is shown through the film's grainy cinematography (shot on digital camera) and makes use of nighttime L.A. Running Time: 119 minutes and rated R for violence and language. ***