"THE TERMINATOR" REDUX

Rating: 5/10 (30 July 2004)

Another big summer movie disappointment, loaded with talent behind and in front of the camera, a big budget, and all the ingredients of what should produce a good film, but winds up being hopelessly mediocre. If anything, this is so derivative of the original "TERMINATOR," that all originality goes out the window from the first few frames on.
Tom Cruise, while you're great playing all-American types like Jerry Maguire, or conflicted all-Americans like your character in "MINORITY REPORT," you simply aren't an edgy badass! This film, and "THE LAST SAMURAI" prove that in spades.
While "COLLATERAL" has a couple tense, exciting scenes (particularly the shootout in the Koreatown nightclub) courtesy of director Michael Mann, one of our finest filmmakers, the film is overall very predictable, with uninteresting, cardboard characters. The attempts at fleshing out said characters during Cruise and Jamie Foxx's conversations in the cab seem forced at best. Fine actors like Mark Ruffalo and Bruce McGill are wasted in throwaway supporting roles.
Overall, a real letdown. I expect more from a top flight director like Michael Mann, who usually shoots for the top. This one just made me feel like everyone was aiming for the middle. 5/10