Michael Mann is Back and in Full Form!

Rating: 8/10 (2 April 2005)

As summer starts to boggle down, I start reflecting on many things that I have done during the summer, and the films I saw. The summer of 2004 films weren't that good. It was probably the worst summer of movies in five years, I guess either the production companies are waiting for Oscar season, or there is just not good films being released this year. During this summer the highest review grade I gave out were B+'s (and only to four films), considering last summer I gave out two 'A-' grade reviews, and the summer before that I gave out a 'A+' grade review. But I'd have to say out of all the movies I've seen this summer, Collateral has to be the very best (besides Harry Potter but that's a given)..
From the trailers, I gathered "Collateral", the new Michael Mann picture, was just going to join the handfuls of disappointing summer fluff, due to the fact one of the very worst actors in Hollywood stars in the title role. Yes, I'm talking about Tom Cruise. I was kind of looking forward to Jamie Foxx's performance, due to the buzz of his upcoming film where he is set to play the late great Ray Charles. But twenty minutes into Collateral, I haven't been this intrigued and impressed with a film's flow since this year's Kill Bill Volume 2 (Grade: A).
The best qualities of Collateral are the script and direction. The screenplay just flows with so much creativity and sheer talent it has you thinking things you thought you couldn't believe. I know that's confusing, so I'll give you example. Tom Cruise's character Vincent, is a hit man who kills very innocent people in cold blood, yet you still love him, and admire his personality. The screenwriter creates a kind of anti-superhero in Vincent, that makes Spider-Man and Batman look about as cool as a physics majors. You'll be rooting for Vincent throughout the movie no matter what evil deeds he does, you'll even be encouraging it. Michael Mann does a fine job directing the film. I especially like how he staged the night-club shoot out scene. This is probably the best film Michael Mann worked on since 1995's Heat (Grade: A-), and he very much deserves a Best Director nomination at the Oscars this year.
Tom Cruise surprisingly does a fine job. That is very rare for him, the only two films I've seen where Cruise was remotely good were Magnolia (Grade: A) and Risky Business (Grade: B-). Although Cruise is very fun to watch on camera, even more fun to watch is Jamie Foxx's character Max, the driver of the taxi that Vincent steps into for the night. Jamie Foxx creates a perfect blend of comedy and drama, for his character. Overall, Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx make one of the best on-screen duos in recent years, and their interactions (in my opinion) are far more compelling then all the action the film has to offer (and the film offers a crap load of action sequences.). The supporting cast is fun to watch, and if you look closely you'll see British actor Jason Statham (Snatch, The Transporter) in a cameo at the beginning in the airport. Overall, Collateral is great film, and it's definitely a must see at the theaters. (Review written 8/06/04) Grade: B+ (Screend at AMC Deer Valley 30, Phoenix, Arizona)
MADE MY TOP 250 LIST AT #197 (16th Best Film of 2004)