`Collateral' made back with interest

Rating: 8/10 (7 August 2004)

Philosophical yet cold like an assassin's bullet is the stimulating combination that comprises Michael Mann's latest film, `Collateral'. The movie is not merely a shootem up thriller but is also provocative in its endeavor to define the value of humanity. The thought-provoking screenplay is combined with brilliant camera direction and a gifted cast. These collective talents draw in the audience to allow them to experience every sense and emotion from the characters. `Collateral' is not only entertaining eye-candy but also presents audiences with a new perspective on the value of human life.
For 12 long years, Max (Jamie Foxx) has been driving taxis all over Los Angeles. During those 12 years, Max dreams of a new life where he runs his own exciting limousine company with a high list clientele. His dream is interrupted after picking up his newest customer: a hitman named Vincent (Tom Cruise) who has his own terms on the value of human life. Vincent forces Max to take him to his targets for evening or else lose his own life in the process. Caught in a no-win situation, Max must decide which is more valuable: his life or the lives Vincent will cancel out?

Michael Mann's direction does not miss a beat in drawing in the audience to Max's dilemma and is key to bringing about Vincent's ideology. Mann skillfully captures Max's fear and desperation to save the targets from Vincent that the audience almost feels they are in each setting. The audience can clearly see each expression and each shot fired. They will feel the coldness that emits from Vincent and the fear of each victim. Mann's citywide shots of Los Angeles also put into perspective Vincent's view on humanity: in a city with such an immense population, would anyone really miss a five people?
Stuart Beattie pens a screenplay that is humorous and thought provoking. Despite being characters from different spectrums, the `Pirates of the Caribbean' co-writer creates great chemistry with an `everyman' hero and a villain who is colder than the other side of the pillow. Max is the run-of-the-mill working class Joe who dreams of a better life. He knows what he wants but has difficulty reaching that goal. It is the mixture of Vincent's mercilessness attitude that Max is given the incentive to stop making excuses and make something of himself. Vincent, however, sees humans as just objects over-populating the world. If he should get rid of a few, who would miss them? It is Vincent's way of thinking that is the essential message of the film and lets the audience ponder the importance of human existence.
Foxx and Cruise both play characters that are opposite from the roles audiences are usually accustomed to seeing them. Foxx is not his usual silly self and it is a change that he plays quite well. Foxx's portrayal of Max is a character audiences can readily connect with. His best renderings come from capturing the working class dreamer's emotions and feelings. Foxx brings out Max's desires, fears, and self doubts that all people have experienced in their lifetime that it is almost as if they were watching their best friend on the screen. Max is not a superhero or a daring police officer and yet Foxx brings out the heroism in the character. Audiences will cheer for Max not only because he is human but also because he can be super-human. Cruise also switches gears from hero to ice cold villain. As Vincent, Cruise plays a hitman who is both heartless and deep thinking. Cruise's portrayal of Vincent is just a man doing his job. He doesn't see any right or wrong to killing people; it is just a way to make a living. Cruise's philosophical feature of the character are explained in this manner: if there are over a billion people in the world you don't know, what is the difference to getting rid of a few of them? Cruise carries out this attitude so well that fans would almost believe he truly felt this way. Despite being the villain, Cruise can still emit self-confidence and a cool attitude in the character that fills up each scene.
What makes `Collateral' great is that it is not a single-themed movie. One the one hand, it is an action movie with gun battles and fights expertly caught by Michael Mann's direction. There is also the underlying message brought out by Stuart Beattie's screenplay that looks at the value and importance of human life. Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise both pull off wonderful performances by tackling new challenges. Theatergoers will not regret watching this film and their expectations will be paid in full.

Grade: A- Starring: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx