Best in 2004 -- Top 5

Rating: 10/10 (3 January 2005)

'Collateral' is not your average summer film. Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx give stellar performances as Vincent the contract killer and as Max the cabbie (respectively). Can't forget Jada Pinkett-Smith as Annie! Michael Mann (one of my favorite directors) is at his top form. The story is original, the characters are very well developed and complex as is the story. The Stuart Beattie screenplay is simply awesome and it never lags at any point in time. The best part of the film is that the dialogue and action is perfectly balanced. This film doesn't have too much action or too much dialogue. Like I said before, the balance is perfect. The characters have real conversations that exposes who they truly are and what their lives really are. Tom Cruise is (again) simply perfect, but Jamie Foxx is a real surprise. He's kind of the 'it' guy of 2004. Mann shot the film in hi-def, which has a huge payoff, making the image crisp and clear (considering the entire film takes place at night). The city of L.A. seems to come alive and looks vibrant as ever (remember 'Heat?'), thanks to the hi-def. Don't miss out on this one, it is truly a masterpiece.
***** out of ***** This film is stunning.