It just wasn't as perfect as I imagined it to be, but still very good.

Rating: 8/10 (11 October 2004)

I had a lot of expectations about this movie, and I wasn't disappointed after seeing it... but it just wasn't as perfect as I imagined it to be.
The characters were very well developed and the acting certainly didn't disappoint me. I would even say that this movie works because of the strength of the performances of the two leads. Tom Cruise is really great as Vincent, the professional hit-man who has to kill five people in LA in one night. He's unbelievably cold, heartless and untouchable, yet philosophical, nice and compassionate as well.
Jamie Foxx, playing Max the taxi driver who's been driving temporarily - for twelve years - to earn enough money to start his own limo-company, was at least as good as Tom Cruise. Max slowly learns how to grow from the ordeal, perhaps even appreciates Vincent even though he knows all to well that any mistake can be his last one.
What I really liked as well was the way everything was portrayed. The way LA was shown was really well done. Seeing them drive through this seemingly indifferent and cold city was very nice. I don't know LA, but the director sure knew how to portray it so that you get to know it.
What just wasn't as good as it should have been was the script. Not that it was bad, certainly not, but it took me quite some time to get fully involved in this movie. Especially the first 30 to 40 were a little bit too messy and without much meaning to really appeal to me. But after that, the movie was truly great. I reward it with a 7.5/10, perhaps an 8/10. If the first half hour would have been more compelling it would have been a 9 or perhaps even a 10. All in all a very good action movie.