Abel Kills Cain?

Rating: 6/10 (1 February 2005)

Collateral Starring-Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx w/Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Berg & Bruce Mcgill Directed by Micheal Mann Rated R for Violence & Language
As the Film opens we are introduced to the films main character, no it's not the silver haired Cruise as "Vincent" or even the Oscar Nominated Foxx as "Max". The main character of Micheal Mann's newest picture is Lala land (Los Angeles). So much effort is put into rendering LA's nighttime beauty that it's almost a shame that this movie turns into a glorified chase thriller.
The Films pace and mood are excellent until the "Feds" get involved. At this point it seems that Hollywood takes over and the underbelly of LA is forgotten. Up until Max walks into a Mexican cowboy bar the film almost seems plausible. From this scene on the movies storytelling and tension give way to corny lines (by the cops and feds alike), a car crash, and a terrible climax on the subway.
I enjoyed Collateral's cinematography it echoes Mann's other work such as Heat and the Insider. Dion Beebe (Chicago) and Paul Cameron (Man on Fire) split the Director of photography role. Even though both DOP's did not work on any previous Mann films, they used their combined efforts to turn out a visually stunning piece that kept the same dichotomy of grainy film noir and ultra crisp pop art that is featured in other works of Mann.
The almost Cain and Able comparisment between the movies stars works well, especially when both characters visit Max's mother in the hospital. This is further played out in the films climax. We never truly understand why Vincent is how he is, but we do know that he shares an almost brotherly love for Max. One which he has probably never felt before.
*** out of *****