Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx at the top of their game.

Rating: 10/10 (8 August 2004)

REVIEW400 - Reviews in 400 words or less!
Jamie Foxx was always a comedian I could count on to make me laugh. From 'In Living Color' to 'The Jamie Foxx Show', Foxx's knack for humor often left me in tears and with side-splitting stomach pains from uncontrollably laughing so hard. Now it's different: After watching 'Collateral,' Foxx has shed his comedic shell and spawned into a mature and able participant in the drama genre by taking on the role of Max. In short: Jamie Foxx is now a major player in the world of Oscar. This guy is not only funny, but has just proven that he can adapt to any role that's thrown at him (he is also starring as Ray Charles in the upcoming film 'Ray').
Max is a reserved Los Angeles cab driver with dreams of becoming a limousine business owner. His life is repetitive and subtle, yet controlled, but all changes when he picks up a fare by the name of Vincent, a character brought to life by Tom Cruise.
On their first routine stop, Max accidentally becomes a witness to a murder committed by Vincent, and from that point on becomes his hostage and chauffeur, driving him to his various destinations to rub out the remaining witnesses on Vincent's hit list.
Vincent is a straight-talking hit-man hired to take out these principal witnesses that could possibly influence an upcoming trial. Just like Foxx, Cruise sheds his typical persona by playing this silver-haired, aged, and seemingly emotionless assassin. At first, it might appear as though Vincent is nothing more than a hidebound nut job. But as the film progresses, it's evident that Vincent does harbor some sense of emotion and personality made apparent through the jovial interactions with Max, and both characters even go as far as to save each others' life at least once.
Thanks to the performances given by Cruise and Foxx (their best ever), Michael Mann's direction of the night city of L.A. (amazing high-definition film work), a stupefying soundtrack of jazz and techno (finally!), and the chemistry between it all, 'Collateral' is more than just another thriller. It's a complex piece of film work with multifaceted characters and a well-written script. It's witty without being dreary and entertaining without being far-fetched.
This is one of those films where you're rooting for the bad guy to win. Cruise is just that good.
OVERALL: A
REASON TO SEE: Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx at the top of their game.
Acting: A
Effects and Action Sequences: B
Entertainment: A
Set and Design: A
Script: A
Soundtrack: A
Storyline: A