If Made Thirty Years Ago, Today a Classic

Rating: 9/10 (30 July 2004)

Last night it occurred to me that Mike Hodges 'Get Carter' would never have been made today. Although I'll Sleep When I'm Dead is essentially the same film, it would not be a classic Brit-noir as it stands now.
Collateral, if made thirty years ago in Italy with a nothing distribution someone today would unearth this film and proclaim its genius straight to the Criterion Collection.
But let's look at the film. Cruise is reminiscent of Val Kilmer's 'Spartan' as he robotically navigates a jungle in which he has always remained king beast. With his gray hair, suit, and scruff, he is not Tom Cruise. Until he smiles. Until he grinds his teeth, flexes, and stares menacingly at a 45 degree angle to the camera. Its standard issue Cruise. But is that bad? Do I discredit the film because its Hollywood? Cruise, because he's the biggest, most bankable film star in history? Perhaps.
Jamie Foxx is the real treat. I look forward to 'Ray' very much, in the hopes that he can dethrone Din-zil as the African American dramatist.
Michael Mann, as always, very gentle in his direction. Very broad. The David Lean of modern action, if you'll forgive the inherently silly phrasing. I will say he is the only man who can make Los Angeles look like an exciting place to be.
Some will gripe about the ending. Some will laugh when things aren't funny.
Watch this film in an uncrowded theater. Avoid the hot-dog eating nacho-loving cell-phone ringing tarts that populate Friday night showings. But do go see it as its a strong, different piece of genre.
Or you can save your $12 for the next global-pending doom-disaster film. No pun intended.