Fantastic thriller from Mann.

Rating: 9/10 (19 January 2005)

Being a fan of the Mann, I naturally was very excited for Collateral. Thankfully it turned out to be one of his best films - even on the second, third and even fourth viewing.
Straight from the start, Mann shows us his bruised L.A backdrop we are so used to in his films. Jaime Foxx as cabbie Max meets Vincent,played by Cruise. Vincent takes Max hostage, as Max takes Vincent from hit to hit - and Max must find a way out of this mess before it's too late.
Collateral is not the crime epic like Heat, instead it opts for a more relentless pace, and cranks up the thrills to eleven. Cruise control as usual - he is absolutely charged as hit man Vincent. Foxx is very believable and just as good as Cruise as Max. Ruffalo and Smith are also good as supporting roles - which makes for a very entertaining film.
The story is good - and like any Michael Mann film, there has to be action. And there is. Lots. The nightclub scene is fantastic. The cinematography is electrifying, the tension racked up so high you'll feel like you're in there too. I would personally say that Collateral's nightclub scene is better than Heat's famous run and gun L.A highway scene. Now we have three great action scenes from Mann's films; Collateral, Heat and Last of the Mohicans.
The whole mood of the film draws me in every time. It is actually quite a melancholy film, and the ending which people criticised as a cop out, bathos in the film - I disagree. I think the ending fits in well with the mood, and is quite poetic.
Collateral was one of my favourite films of the year, alongside the Aviator and The Incredibles. If you are up for a highly polished thriller, buy this now - the only problem is that it wasn't long enough! 9/10 - Fantastic.