Stylish Thriller

Rating: Null/10 (17 September 2004)

Spoiler Micheal Mann has definitely done good. The set, the music, the visuals and cinematography all catch the eye.. they went down a treat and were combined flawlessly.
I cannot say that for some of the acting however. I did find Jamie Fox's character to be plausible- an LA cabbie with ambitious thoughts of starting his own Limosine company. He was the average Joe, a dreamer who lacks the compulsion to actually do something about his current situation. He is a character whom everyone, at one time or another, can identify with. I definitely enjoyed the flirting with Annie ( Jada Pinkett-Smith), although i detested that particular character on site.
The movie, however, is dominated by Cruise's character Vincent- a hired assassin. Unfortunately, he lacks the malevolence and sheer presence to carry a part like this off. He is charming enough but that does not cut it.
An interesting rapor does develop between Vincent and Max who sometimes seems to forget that his fare is a cold hearted killer. I also wished that as the film proceeded that Max would grow a bit of backbone and tell Vincent when to stuff it.
The character of Vincent is 2 dimensional. We know nothing of his motivation to become an assassin. We know nothing of him whatsoever. All we know is that he is hired to a job and he gets it done. I understood this but it generally left me feeling cold. I would have liked to know why.
The big climatic race to the end became formulaic as Max tries to save the 'girl'. This left a bad taste in my mouth. It wasn't anything i hadn't seen before and i wasn't impressed. Cruise's last few word were interesting.
Altogether, not a bad film. There were a few gaping holes in the movie ie time line of the jazz club and visiting Max's mother in hospital. (What time could they have visited the mother it must have been at least after 9) but then every film has holes where you have to suspend your belief for a while.
All in all i'd give it 7.5 out of 10... and that's saying a lot considering.