Unexpected detours from the traffic of cliche

Rating: 9/10 (15 August 2004)

Expect the unexpected from "Collateral," Michael Mann's latest thriller that has an unconventional buddy-film formula between two very unlikely leads playing excellent characters. Tom Cruise is probably too pretty-boy for most to consider him capable of pulling off a role like this. Jamie Foxx is probably looked upon as too comedic to get a genuine dramatic reaction -- but both of them have pulled it off.
Go see Collateral. It's an entirely original film that creates a plot from it's characters, not from standard hitman/reluctant hero cliches. Michael Mann directs the story in such a way that gives the night a seamlessness that's inescapable.
Highly recommended.