Collateral Cruise.

Rating: 10/10 (25 August 2015)

Collateral (2004): Dir: Michael Mann / Cast: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett, Mark Ruffalo, Irma P. Hall: Thriller that examines the careless attitude often taken with human life. Tom Cruise plays a contract killer assigned to eliminate five targets in one evening. Jamie Foxx plays a cab driver who hopes to start his own limousine service someday but for twelve years he has delighted in serving his passengers until he picks up Cruise. Upon the first stop a body crashes upon his cab thus placing Foxx in a tragic position. He is forced by Cruise to drive him to his other targets. Clever with witty dialogue and a suspenseful cat and mouse conclusion. Director Michael Mann uses the same technique he used in The Insider. He shoots it like a reality T.V. documentary. Cruise is fantastic as a killer skilled at what he does and views it merely as a job. Foxx demonstrates a heart that bleeds and places himself in crucial danger for the final target. Jada Pinkett has a key role as an attorney whom strikes up a positive encounter in his cab in the opening. Mark Ruffalo as an investigating officer is effective as he attempts to bring Foxx to safety but the handling of this character is too abrupt and perhaps unnecessary. Irma P. Hall plays Foxx's mother who is in the hospital. He visits her and the affects Cruise's reaction. Strong theme regarding the taking of life and the timing of death. Score: 10 / 10