***1/2 out of ****

Rating: 9/10 (1 January 2005)

Tense and taut thriller from stylish director Michael Mann. Both Tom Cruise and Jaime Foxx deserve recognition for their intense performances. The writing, direction, and acting are all top notch. This is one of Tom Cruise's best performances. It ranks right there with "Rain Man", "Minority Report", and "The Last Samurai" as his most accomplished works. For Jamie Foxx this is easily his best film. I have not yet seen him in "Ray." I would rank this film as Michael Mann's third best film behind "Heat" and "Last of the Mohicians." "Collateral" stands out for its stylishness and for its intensity-both of which Michael Mann is known for. Highly recommended!