Review, by a self-proclaimed movie snob

Rating: 10/10 (16 August 2004)

So, as many of you may or may not know, Michael Mann is no stranger to great movie making. Although his resume includes "Ali" (a mediocre movie in my opinion), he has created such breathtaking masterpieces as "Heat," "The Insider," and of course my personal favorite among his work prior to "Collateral," "The Last of the Mohicans." This last movie was the first Micheal Mann Movie I ever saw. What a masterpiece of visual imagery. Many of you might be tempted to say that "Last of the Mohicans" offered nothing new. But watching the movie was like a drug, a feel-good ride that has offered me the same thrill over and over in subsequent viewings. Perhaps it is this effect that attracts me to Mann's work: A consistent promise of great things to come, a dreamlike perfection seldom attained in everyday life.
As with any other Movie, I attempted to clear myself of any preconceived dispositions in lieu of a new work. Once in my chair, the first scenes play like a slowly spoon-feed meal laced with that bit of Mann's magic that pervades all of his work. Thirty minutes into the movie, and I have no clue where I am. Just that I am now in Los Angeles (the backdrop of the film). Slowly I am ever more engulfed in the carefully and delicately weaved story taking place before me. Soon, I forget that Jaime Foxx ever appeared on "In Living Color" or that Tom Cruise ever appeared in such movies as "Risky Business," "Top Gun," or "Minority Report." Instead, I see the characters for what they are: complicated and real.....amazingly real.
The stream of little details written into the script plays well to the audience. We learn about more about the two main characters in two hours than many of us learn about our friends or colleagues in many weeks or months. And yet, it all seems plausible, as if somewhere, this all might actually be happening.
All this, and one major shock. Jaime Foxx.....when did he become such a great actor. His portrayal of a man cornered, played out so believably and fluidly. I cant think of anyone else for his part. He really was Max! It was a Pacino-esque performance! Amazing! So good, that he severely overshadowed the ever-talented Cruise.
My only complaint: near the ending.....the overall steam of the movie falls short temporarily, however it quickly picks up.
Overall Rating: Best Movie so far this Year: 10 out of 10
Awards and Praise are in Order