Excellent movie, here is why (AND why NOT for some folks)

Rating: 7/10 (14 September 2004)

I'll try to keep this W/O spoilers... so here we go:
Collateral is an excellent movie, by far the most glamorous movie event of the season, and delivers exactly what it promises if you know what to expect before you walk into the theater.
First let me tell you that you wouldn't like this movie (hence a lot of the negative reviews here) if you:
a. are a Tarantino-style sarcastic action fan b. think mood-setting scenes with visuals and music and without dialogue are unnecessary and would rather have heart-pumping non-stop action and head ached-inducing never ending dialogue c. are one of those people that look for realism in every tiny bit of the plot, and are easily turned off by coincidences and symbolism
If you fall into any of these categories above, skip this one. If you're willing to experiment and see something different... read on.
Collateral has an amazing concept, but we all know it because we have seen the trailer. Besides that the script brings us some very clever and in-depth characters and lots of dialogue about life and work and people that you can actually take something out of. The script at many points fails the viewer who is desperately in need of realism but character development and actor performance is so good that you can easily ignore and even enjoy the surrealism as you get lost in the engaging characters and their dramatic motivations and passion for what they do.
But the movie really shines with amazing cinematography and daring experimentation by Michael Mann. The man, who has mastered the thrill of a gunfight, does not fail to combine (yet again) stunning visuals and chillingly realistic sound to deliver to you the feeling closest to being in the proximity of an actual gunfire exchange without risking your life in one.
He also uses a digital (HD) camera, throughout most of the movie, hand-held at key points to put the audience right there next to the characters. This combined with clever use of shutter speeds and lighting creates this really amazing capture of motion and the LA night scape that you cannot find in any other movie made at the time of this comment.
So if you are willing to take the ride with Mann in his experimentation to create a completely new experience of the night and its players, this movie is definitely far worth your money and time.
The audiophile out there will also enjoy a soundtrack with a huge spectrum (from Jazz to Techno..) and the bass-breaking dance track by Oakenfold will definitely fill the hearts of the trance/dance audience with some sweet musical satisfaction.
Enjoy..