COLLATERAL

[Fisting Ackbar]

http://images.killermovies.com/c/collateral/gallery/0_poster.jpg

Directed by: Michael Mann (THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS, HEAT, THE INSIDER)
Written by: Stuart Beattie
Cast: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Berg, Bruce McGill
Release Date: August 6, 2004 (wide)
MPAA: Rated R for violence and language
Plot outline: A cab driver (Foxx) finds himself the hostage of an engaging contract killer (Cruise) as he makes his rounds from hit to hit during one night in LA. He must find a way to save both himself and one last victim.
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Michael Mann has proven himself to be a worthy director and the trailers for this have been great. It will be curious to see how Cruise is as the bad guy, but this is my most anticipated release of August.

[Korny]

Same here, i'm very eager to to see htis.

The frst trailer was great, but the second left me feeling disappointed.

But still trailers rarely do its film justice

[XCoRyX]

this looks SOOO good.

[Scarface98.9]

This looks like a really good movie, and is nice that Cruise plays a villain this time. I'll see it the Tuesday after it opens

[Strider]

I cannot wait to see this film! Every time I see the trailer or television spot, I get more pumped up. Collateral looks like an intense thriller with a great concept. Not to mention that Michael Mann (one of my favorite directors) is directing, and Tom Cruise is playing a villian for the first time. I hope this film doesn't disappoint me, but I don't think Mann will let me down.

Strider

[Korny]

Originally posted by Scarface98.9
I'll see it the Tuesday after it opens

why that particular time?

[EDsoulsurvive*]

Tom Cruise looks pretty badass in the previews and the whole film gives me a whole Phone Booth vibe (not sure exactly why), which is great cause i loved that moive. I find Jamie Foxx really annoying but I'm hoping Jada Pinkett and Mark Ruffalo are enough to cancel him out. I'll be checking this one out as soon as i get the time.

[TheGodSon]

Michael Mann is one of my favorite directors. The Insider is one of my favorite movies. A 10/10 in my book.

I love Tom Cruise and he looks awesome in this! I'll be there opening night!

[Sigur509]

I dont like Jamie Foxx, but he looks good in this film. And as everyone has said, it looks nice to see Tom Cruise play a villain.

[brodeurnumber1]

Ebert and Roeper said on Leno last night that it was Jamie Foxx's breakout performance, and will lead to bigger things. And both of them and Leno said it was great, and very recommendable. So I am very much looking forward to it, and since I will be on vacation, and it comes out on my dad's birthday, I'll take him to it.

[sharkstank]

looks really good. i'll be there.
foxx+mann+cruise acting bad ass= me there

WWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Moviefan1234]

It looks very good. Tom Cruise playing a character like this is going to be very interesting. I can't wait to see it, I've been anticipating it for quite a long time.

[slasherfan]

COOL! This movie looks so ace!! I hope it's at number 1 for it's first two weeks. EVERYONE should see this movie opening weekend and the weekend after.

[Rick-James]

This flick is looking fuckin' awesome. I can't wait.

[Rick-James]

JoBlo just posted a great review for the flick.

It sounds even better than I hoped!

[blankpage]

To be honest, I wasn't really jazzed for this flick. I didn't even think I wanted to see it in the theatre. BUT, after Jo's ace review, he purty much sold me on the flick. NOW, I can't wait to see it, and hopefully it'll be a mucho fun time.

[bob]

I think it looks quite good...Cruise and Foxx have both showed that they can pull off serious roles in the past, and Mann is a great director.

[Tweek]

the whole film gives me a whole Phone Booth vibe (not sure exactly why

Gives me that vibe too.

In Phone Booth Stu was told he couldn't leave the booth or the called would kill him.

In Collateral Max is told he has to drive Vincent to his jobs or he'd die.

From a scene in Collateral's trailer ("SHOOT ME!") it seems like he'll be challenging the antagonist, as did Stu.

Plus they're both mind fuck movies.


Anyway, I can't wait to see it!


:cool:

[DareDevil]

This is my 3rd most anticipated movie... well period, like out of all upsoming movies this is the 3rd most anticipated


its goina fucken rock:D

[Mr.HyDe807]

After watching Heat, im pretty confident that this movie will kick ass!!!!!!

[therealjohng]

I'm going to a sneak preview at 11:30. I can't wait!!!

[DareDevil]

saw it a day early cause im a VIP

and woooooooow this movie fucken ruled!!


ill get more detailed later but this is a gem, the directing and style was amazing, and the acting from Fox, i was left very impressed!

9/10:D


i am so use to movies that i cant wait to see disapointing me, this was such a suprise! im lovin it

[Wildbilld]

Collateral (http://wildbilld.brinkster.net) rating up.

[Common Sense Man]

Well despite some misshaps at the screening, such as reel 3 coming after real 1, this movie was very good, once that was correctd of course.

I was so surprised to see Jamie Foxx in the trailer and indeed he pulls out a great performance in this flick. Who would have ever thought he could have come so far.

Aside from maybe one or two weak spots he puts in a very solid performance.

Cruise is well, Cruise. He does indeed play a villian but he plays it like Cruise. But again I loved his performance and thought he did a fantastic job.

Once again they almost went the entire film with hand held cameras, but luckily someone convinced them not get drunk each day before they shot the movie so it was 100 percent better than Bourne Supremecy, you could actually see things.

There is not as much action as one would think, which may piss some people off. But this is more of a psychological picture about the relationship between Cruise and Foxx and what you would do if this happened to you.

They play off each other well and at the end they have actually both grown from being in each others company.

There were only a few things that I had issues with, but they are spoilers so if you don't want to know you can stop with this post now.


SPOILERS
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Concerning the club Fevers and what happens there. I thought it was totally bogus that he could walk in and start shooting and the 20 FBI guys couldn't stop him.

It was like once that one FBI agent got shot in the leg they all stopped looking for the witness and all helped him out of the club and to the hospital.

Because after he is shot you don't see one more FBI guy, and they were crawling all over that place, dumb.

But my biggest problem was the dumb ass death scene and final gun batte.

They just shoot at each other point blank and hope for the best. Who wrote this!

I know you can justify it any hundered of different ways. Cruise was feeling soft for Foxx, maybe Cruise wanted to die, maybe he didn't think Foxx would shoot, or maybe he thought he was too inept to shoot him, or maybe he was overconfident.

But Cruise was a hired gun, he should have been able to take out a cabbie that appeared to have never even used a gun before.

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End Spoilers



But all that aside I liked the movie and it is definately worth seeing. And I will have to see it again without the mismatched reels so I can get fully into it.

But even with the troubles I rate this flick a solid 7/10

Out............................................... ............

[therealjohng]

9/10. Amazing movie. One of the year's best films. The shootout in club Fevers was fucking great.

[FerrellFan911]

*SPOILER*



Can anybody tell the last lines Cruise had right before he died? I strained to hear them but I couldn't.

[Kidsilk]

Just got back from it. Right up there with Spider-Man 2 as the best movie of the year. I highly recommend it.

[chilli pepper]

I have no complaints about this movie, At All. Fucking-a man....one of the best of the year..10/10.

[jackson13]

Originally posted by FerrellFan911
*SPOILER*



Can anybody tell the last lines Cruise had right before he died? I strained to hear them but I couldn't.



BIG FAT SPOILERS:

All he said was a retake of his earlier line in the movie about a guy getting on the MTA and dying and if anyone would notice him.

[jackson13]

P.S. Anybody know where I can find some cool wallpapers for this movie?

I tried the movies main site but you need a flashplayer to access it and I dont have that, since I use Mozilla. I've been meaning to download one but would rather not, so if someone has a link, post it here or pm me.

[MovieDragon]

SPOILERS

















Yeah...the ending shootout seemed a bit stupid to me. A skilled hitman(with a great shot)empties a clip at a cab driver who's fired 1 bullet in his life...and the cab driver is the one that hits the hitman? I don't buy that. I would have at least liked to see them both wounded...a la Red Dragon. I also would have liked to know what Vincent's plans for Max were. The movie hints that Vincent MAY have done the same thing and might have been setting Max up the entire time (to take the blame that is). I would have liked to get a more definite answer as to whether Max would have been killed/set up.















end spoilers.

Otherwise, incredible movie. The entire end (from the car to the subway) was intense and one of the best chase scenes I've ever scene. Of course, most of the scenes in the movie are intense and beautiful, but the ending scenes were the best.

[fevers]

Well, I ended up really enjoying this film.

I thought it might just be another summer movie, but it was a really engaging flick that didn't leave me with a slow moment.

The acting was terrific, script was sharp, and even though it had the 'cliched' end "twist" it still didn't seem cheesy or leave me unfulfilled.

Great movie, think everyone should check this out for Cruise's performance alone.

http://www.moviecitynews.com/static_images/images/2004/175x175/collateral.jpg
8/10

[distorto25]

Michael Mann is the man! From the wonderful opener at LAX to the final shootout on the MTA, this film had me transfixed. Cruise did an amazing job as the cold-blooded yet strangely likeable Vincent, playing the hitman with a calm intensity that was truly frightening (you never knew what he was going to do next). Foxx was also quite good as Max the "temporary" cab driver. He came across as a lonely soul, sad but also likeable. The supporting cast, including Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, and a brief cameo by Jason "don't call me Turkish" Statham, was also top notch. The hi-def, while not always looking quite like film, was very well done and fit the movie and the locations perfectly. Mann has an amazing eye and no matter what medium he shoots on his films always have a certain visual flair. The action sequence in the "Fever Club" was a little confusing at times, but the raw intensity of the violence made for some viceral fun. Overall "Collateral" is a thoroughly enjoyable time at the movies. 9/10.

[Common Sense Man]

Hey everyone.

If you are going to use Spoiler warnings, which you should if you are going to talk openly about the flick, especially this earily in a run.

At least put some space between the spoiler warning and the actual spoiler.

To go SPOILER (not real spoiler)

Then type the spoiler right below it defeats the purpose of the warning as the eye will naturally go to the next line.

But if you put some spaces in between your warning, then the spoiler will not even be on the screen and can then be avoided.


SPOILER (real this time)

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Ya I loved the Statham cameo.

If you think about it he could be playing the Transporter character, as he was transporting the briefcase to Vincent.

I love stuff like that.

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End Spoilers.



I will definately be checking this flick out again.

Out.............................................

[uncle_el]

i was very impressed with this film. to keep it short, i'll just second common sense man's 1st comments.

foxx has come a long way as an actor... from wanda on in living color, to this... he did a great job.
cruise was phenomenal as always.
pinkett smith also put in one of her best performances, as joblo said in his review.

definitely a film worth seeing in the theater, and purchasing on dvd. :D

[The Heart Collector]

I'm going to rape my shitty browser. While it was loading, it suddenly bumped up some reply and a huge fucking spoiler landed right in front of me. Fuck.

[jackson13]

Spoiler. Maybe.












I gotta ask. What was the point of the coyote? Is it cause Max lied before and said he hit a deer and now, coincidentally there is a coyote in front of them? Kinda threw me off a little.

[MickeyKnox]

Collateral is one of those rare movie experiences the last time, i had one of these was with Kill Bill: Vol. 2, this year, and it was one of great joy the same goes for Collateral, now having seen the trailers for this movie, i was giddy as anything to see it, and when i did i was blown away, i consider Michael Mann to be one of the greatest crime/drama director's out there, his movies are visually stunning, and with his movies like Manhunter, Thief, and Heat, they look like rock music videos, the way they are edited and shot but the way he films his movies is awesome, i'm glad to see him gong back to his roots of his old traditional crime/drama movies, that said what is there to say about Collateral except excellent, everything in the movie was brilliant, Tom Cruise as Vincent was the man, i mean i haven't seen a cooler role like this from tom Cruise in awhile, but man was his character a major badass and cool as anything, while on the other hand there is Jamie Foxx who i like as an actor sometimes, but this role was absolutely sublime the same can be said about Tom Cruise's character Vincent, but Foxx's character was more dormant yet he builds up all throughout the movie which i really like about his character, another actor who i thought was brilliant in the movie was Mark Ruffalo, i mean this guy is going to be really big soon, and he has alot of talent, but man oh man he was suave and hip as the detective, not one of those cliched one's like you see on CSI. And also this movie fatured one of the coolest scenes this year the shootout at Fevers which i love very much because it is backed up by kickass action and an awesome track by the great Paul Oakenfold. Another thing i loved about this movie was the music, Mann has a great knack for using very cool music in his movies and this one had a boatload of great music. All said i truly loved this movie it is #2 on my top 10 of 2004, and this movie is truly brilliant and sublime-10/10

[MadsenOMC]

SPOILERS!

Well, seeing what my all-time favorite movie is, it's probably safe to assume that I was looking forward to this. Definitely my most anticipated movie of the summer, and quite possibly the entire year. I was giddy when it started, and thankfully, I was not disappointed. I think USA Today's Mike Clark hit the nail on the head when he stated in his review of this that Michael Mann is the best action director working in cinema right now. And I would say that he is the best director period. The look of this movie is nothing short of remarkable and stunning and gorgeous. I loved every single shot, and was stunned by some of the spectacular camera angles. I especially like the way Mann would frame close up head shots, having the speaker's head be way off to one side, rather than the middle of the frame. Amazing. The man is just fucking brilliant. I can't imagine that a movie will be directed better this year, and it's a shame that because of the genre, he likely won't get an Oscar nod. The music is just as good. I want this soundtrack now. The editing is excellent. The acting, as everyone has been pointing out, is superb. The dialogue is outstanding.

Now, I'm trying to set my bias aside and be as objective as possible. The third act did let me down a little, considering how good the rest of it is. For me, it becomes a little too conventional. The whole chase scene, etc. I wanted more, something different and less predictable. It seemed beneath the movie. But, I do love the very end, with a dead Cruise sitting on the MTA. Beautiful.

So, I think it is flawed, unfortunately. The conclusion is not as satisfying as the rest of the movie. But when the rest of the movie is this good, it's hard to complain. Easily one of the year's best.

8/10

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by jackson13
Spoiler. Maybe.












I gotta ask. What was the point of the coyote? Is it cause Max lied before and said he hit a deer and now, coincidentally there is a coyote in front of them? Kinda threw me off a little.


I think the two coyotes were there to represent both Max and Vincent. You know - two lone wolves (or coyotes), all alone in the night, in the world.

My thinking is that it was symbolic.

[OUTLAW]

I went and saw COLLATERAL tonight and really enjoyed it. I went with some friends, they seemed to like it but thought it was too slow in places.
I really liked it though, Michael Mann has a style and way of telling a story. This one was a little more polished than MANHUNTER but not as epic as HEAT. But he did a great job telling the story and taking us on a ride with the characters.
No spoilers here, I will say that Jamie Foxx did a wonderful job and has really grown as an actor. And Tom Cruise owns this character and is one bad MoFo in it. 7/10

[MovieDragon]

Can someone tell me what was up with the Jason Statham cameo scene in the very beginning? I mean, talk about random cameo choices. Furthermore, what did it have to do with anything in the movie?

Just curious about this...overall wonderful movie.

[Common Sense Man]

Well I think that JS is playing the Transporter.

Minor Spoiler
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So the cameo makes perfect sense.

He is delivering the marks to Vincent.

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End Spoiler

At least that is my theory.

Out..................................

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by MovieDragon
Can someone tell me what was up with the Jason Statham cameo scene in the very beginning? I mean, talk about random cameo choices. Furthermore, what did it have to do with anything in the movie?

Just curious about this...overall wonderful movie.



When they bumped into each other they dropped their bags. When they left, they grabbed each other's bags. Statham gave Cruise the list of clients he had to take out. Just the ol' switch er rue in the airport.

[thedudeman69]

I thought it was really good, and I took my parents to it(man I am lame:o), It was well acted, well directed, had beutiful cinamitography and Jada Pickett Smith was actually good in something:D. I gave it a 8/10. Also the cameo by Jason Statham was essential to the movie. also the ending was ironic. Cruise made a gutsy move and it went good. Also I enjoyed Jamie Foxx, he had a good performance, I will be first in line to see Ray:).

[MovieDragon]

OH. Okay, I get it now. I was distracted by the fact that it was Statham and didn't even pay attention to the bags.

I thought it was just some needless cameo, but this makes a lot more sense. :D

[Jaywrx]

Val Kilmer was suppose to play the part of the undercover cop, which is played by Ruffalo...did Ruffalo lose some weight? Because I thought he was kind of chunky in Eternal Sunshine, unless I'm thinking of someone totally different.

[therealjohng]

He did seem a little thinner.....

[Ron34]

Just got back from seeing this movie, man I loved Cruises character in this movie. And I loved the ending!

My favorite film of 2004 so far!

[Jackass80]

I was really disappointed with Collateral. It was two hours of Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx gabbing about nothing in a taxi, and occasionally, Cruise kills someone. It has some well-written dialogue and the last 20 minutes are tense, but, overall, the film lacks the power of much of Mann's other works.

[rowanmayfair]

I can't believe this but I actually missed the last words Vincent said before he died on the subway, someone please tell me what he said! Thanks

[miguel_montes]

^^^^^^

Thanks for spoiling the movie for me... I know you're a new guy around here, but next time... read the rules, will you? Use /* SPOILERS WARNINGS!!! */ (rule 3.B)

/* SPOILERS WARNINGS!!! */ (rule 3.B)

[The Prowler]

Originally posted by miguel_montes
^^^^^^

Thanks for spoiling the movie for me... I know you're a new guy around here, but next time... read the rules, will you? Use /* SPOILERS WARNINGS!!! */ (rule 3.B)

/* SPOILERS WARNINGS!!! */ (rule 3.B)


I Agree. Please edit the post or remove it cause that ruined the whole movie for me. Damn this sucks! I had no ideal about the movie's outcome till now.

[PsycoPat]

If you haven't seen the movie skip this post!!!





****Spoilers*****














All in all I like this movie very much! I especially like the scene in the Jazz club. I really cared about that guy in the five minutes of screen time he got before Cruise waxed him.

I also really enjoyed Max's transformation in the "Pedro Negro" scene in the Mexican club. I thought Jamie Foxx did a fantastic job in that scene and over all.

Cruise was fantastic as usual and I loved the manner in which he greased the would be muggers!

My one big complaint was the final fifteen minutes or so where Cruise basically turned into "The Terminator". After a horific car crash and getting shot in the head, he's jumping on to trains, and completely coherent. I really though since they had him doing that, they shoulda just went the whole nine yards and had him do the "he's-dead-but-not-really-dead" thing on the train. I mean they already dove head first into fomula ending/cliche territory. Like I said they shoulda just gone all the way.

That aside I liked it alot!





7.5/10







****End Spoilers****

[XCoRyX]

saw this last night with my cousin, and I really liked it alot, just as I was expecting AND hoping. Tom Cruise and even Jamie Foxx put up great performances, and I reallly enjoyed Cruises character alot for some reason, and overall I was damn satisfied, but I will say, the ending could've been done alot better then it was.

8/10

[Gone in 60sec]

****Minor Spoilers very Minor*****

Collateral- 10/10

I thoght this was a fantastic film. The direction was great I loved the camera work and the way it was filmed in digital. Michael Mann did a great job of making the city of Los Angoles a character it self. And I loved the music he used in the music as well it went very well with the movie. The Fever scene was totaly kick ass. Cruise rocks!

Now ive been a huge Tom Cruise fan and I think he did another awsome performance in this movie. He was perfect as being a villian for the first time. I couldnt stop watching him and some of the time i was routing for him. Ex in the club with the cops I wanted him to get his target and I routing for him when he saved max's life.

And the other great performance was by Jamie Foxx. He really surpised me and really should the feeling of Max. The cemistry between the two were very belviable and real.

This is the fifth Tom Cruise that Im giving a 10/10 and fourth Tom Cruise movie in my top 20. I loved it this movie what a ride. Can't wait to see it again. Cant wait to pick this up on DVD.

[Darth Dzikowski]

Like all Michael Mann movies, this one is visually stunning, no one films LA like Mann does, that is for certain. Foxx and Cruise are interesting, but not alll that interseting, you know what I mean? I feel like nothing was really learned about the characters. Sure we learn what Mann tells us, but I feel like something was just missing.

PROS
Realy dug the digital recording, gritty in a nice way
Coyote scene
Foxx as Vincent meeting Raoul.
Jazz club
Club Fever

CONS
Motivation of characters
Ruffalo completely wasted

7/10

[Rated R]

Collateral is not a perfect film. There are moments of brilliance subdued by an emptiness in the characters as well as the story. I love Michael Mann's style, and it is evident here as it was in Heat and The Insider that slow does not neccessarily mean boring. But I could not help but feel a little let down at the end.


SPOILERS

I felt that we never really became connected with the character of Vincent, not at all. They keep posing the question of why he does what he does as if to foreshadow an answer to this question. I suppose he answers it indirectly by talking about guys who work 9-5 every day of their meaningless lives to bring home a paycheck and see it gone in a matter of minutes due to the fact that he's raising a family. Max answers it better for him by saying his an empty sould looking for answers in all the wrong places. But I still think that we did not get the whole story.

Maybe it's good, we were not overexposed to any of the characters. We knew very little about them, although I know I felt very sympathetic for Jamie Foxx's Max. He's living a lie, believing he's going to go somewhere in his dream world, but he's an honorable hero.

His relationship with Annie is a bit contrived, and she is only used as a plot device, nothing more, this is all she contributes. While Jada Pinkett Smith does what she can with her limited screen time, the character comes off as listless, and pretty much there to take up time and to give Max a reason to go after Vincent.

Mark Ruffalo is also competely wasted here. He oozes charisma on screen with fellow wastee Peter Berg as cops on the trail of Vincent. It seems like everything is building up for a meaningful climax where we receive a moment of clarity as to why and what and where things are happening. But no, Ruffalo is dead all of a sudden and it is back to Foxx and Cruise.

While Cruise probably pumped out his best performance since Magnolia, he still is nothing special in my eyes, and yes I do believe that Jamie Foxx out-acted the "pro" in this effort. I am just glad Tommy boy broke his type, when he does this he succeeds(Magnolia, Eyes Wide Shut, Interview With The Vampire). You can't be the hero forever jackass!

Regardless of these thoughts, I enjoyed the film...I thought it was very well crafted and all around entertaining, a huge improvement over last weeks abomination The Village, and Mann has nicely rebounded after the abysmal ALI. Still the film had a certain emptiness at the end, a finish similar to Heat, but it did not fulfil my needs as well as Heat had. After a second viewing I might enjoy it more, but for now it is but a


7/10

[MadsenOMC]

I want to address two of your complaints. One, I think the scene between Annie and Max in the beginning is absolutely sublime. It also provides some vital background info on Max that you might not have gotten without that scene, if it had just jumped to him and Vincent. So, I see it as a huge asset to the movie, not a detriment. Two, Ruffalo's detective character. I read a review where the critic states that he likes this character because most of the time, in hit man and/or crime movies, it seems like a lot of killing is going on, and no one is ever investigating it. And that seems unrealistic. So, the detective character is a nice addition to a movie of this type because it shows that these things would not go unnoticed by everyone, even in L.A. I like the character and the always excellent Ruffalo.

[notchreturns]

Surely one of the best of the year. A visual treat, superb characters and acting, from everyone involved and it just builds and builds effortlessly and with some great direction from Mann.

9/10.

[Common Sense Man]

I agree that spoilers need to be used. Even if you think the movie has been out for a while some people can't get to see it right away.

I just wanted to make a comment about people saying that actors are underused.

That was his part!

The producers said hey Ruffalo we have this part for you, here check it out, do you want it.

He says yes.

Do you want Mann to rewrite every part so the actors get more screen time.

If you want to say Ruffalo was underused then so was that dude on the subway they ran past.

Some part are large some are small that is it.

I have never gotten that phrase, underused.

It was not his movie, it was Cruise and Foxx's

Out............................................... ...

[SkyNet]

Originally posted by Common Sense Man

If you want to say Ruffalo was underused then so was that dude on the subway they ran past.



that dude in the subway was TOTALLY underused... i felt his character had more to say/ do than he was given!

**SPOILERS**

saw this last night (was going to see Napolean Dynamite... but at the last minute went n saw this.. cuz Dynamite looks really stupid)

this is one of my favorite flicks, it was just fuckin awesome, held my attention 100% non stop. When Cruise just kills Ruffalo that was like "WTF" but was awesome... you totally werent expecting that.. everyone in my theater was laughing! Great fuckin movie

[Strider]

Collateral - 8/10 or ****/***** stars

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/dreamworks_skg/collateral/tom_cruise/collateral4.jpg

When it comes to crime films, Michael Mann is definitely in a league of his own by the way he directs and delivers. His latest film, Collateral, is a thrilling, captivating roller-coaster ride with two great performances from the leads, a solid supporting cast, smart dialogue, and enough intense action and gun shoot-outs to keep the viewer satisfied. And this goes without mentioning Mann's stunning direction. He is, without a doubt, one of the best directors in the business today. From the chase scenes, gun shoot-outs, atmosphere, and even the music selections - his direction is perfect in every way. As he showed in Heat, Mann can capture the city of Los Angeles like no other. In Collateral, he brilliantly reveals the wonder, beauty, and darkness of the city's nightlife. Tom Cruise, for the first time ever in his career, plays a villain in the film, and he is totally convincing. He makes the audience believe the character is a cold-hearted, deadly, intelligent, and nearly invincible killer. While the character may be all those things, Cruise weaves him into one slick bad-ass. Cruise is such a good actor, and it's about time that he's given some well-deserved praise for his very consistent film career. Jamie Foxx is quite a surprise here, and proves that he is not just a comedian, but instead, a serious actor who has potential to do something else than crack jokes. Even though Collateral is an awesome film, it's not a flawless one. What keeps the film from being flawless, is the conclusion, which is all too familiar and entirely conventional. It would have been a pleasant surprise if the conclusion was devoid of its common cliche, but it wasn't, and that's something the viewer will have to accept. Collateral is so much more than thrills, suspense, and action. The heart of the film is the conversations exchanged between Cruise's "Vincent" and Foxx's "Max," which shift from humorous, intense, and thought-provoking. This is great entertainment, frame after frame.

Strider

[Rick-James]

Great film.

Cruise, Foxx and Mann all should get an oscar or whatever the fuck for this incredible film.

If it was not for Kill Bill 2...this would be my favorite film of the year.

10/10.

[Duke Nukem]

Well, everyone has bacisically said everything there is to say about this film, so I'll simply say that really enjoyed it. I wasn't looking forward to it too much, but in the end, the movie was a genuine surprise.

Just two things...

WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!!


























I agree, it is not fair to say that the side actors were "underused." Those were their parts! Mark Raf-what-his-last-name was there to help enough to keep the police on on the case and understand Max's position. He was fine with the material he was given.

You could say that Jada Pinkett Smith was also "underused." And, others said that she was "solely there for Max to go after Vincent in the end." Bullshit. All the people on the hit list had to do with a big trial case, and Smith happened to be the prosecutor involved. Max was lucky to meet her before Vincent came along, so when things turned around, he'd know what to do.

The big chase/finale. I hate when people say that a movie "went generic" or something, when the first 90 minutes of a movie is mostly drama and all of a sudden a big action finale that is "beneath it" (example: Single White Female - underrated movie). Didn't anyone else that that movie was building up to a big finale? Sure, the movie was meant to be a big suspense, character-driven saga, but it has to come to an end. If the movie was truly "generic," it would have had Max kicking Vincent off the subway, sending Vincent on a cliched falling down death. The demise of Vincent was different, surprising and clever.

Oh yeah, and when Max shot Vincent in the office building to save Will Smith's wife, he didn't shoot him in the head, he shot him around the shoulder area. Notice the blood spot around left area of Vincent's neck?


































SPOILERS OVER!!

[Scarface98.9]

Saw this today, and absolutely love it. Probably my favorite of the year, and loved the ending.

9/10

[therealjohng]

Saw it for a 3rd time today. Fuckin A! I love this movie.

[Raging Bull080]

This is a truely original thriller, it's not only the best movie I have seen this year, but one of the decades very best, so far. Michael Mann used hi-definition alot in this movie, and it pays off. What a dark, beatiful film this is.

[Greenaway]

The film is good, and that says a lot when it is my opinion being presented. The second film this year, which I would recommend, the first being Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

[10PoundBrown]

Loved it, thought it was a tad slow in places but overall, I loved it. The kind of love where maybe you dont call the next day but eventually you call, knowhatImean? Anyway, I thought Jamie Foxx was killer in this. Cruise was good, but hes always good. I wasnt sure Foxx had this kind of acting in him, but he did. Jada...well.....pfft!! My sister could do that role and shes a shite actress. (sorry sis) I really liked Mark Ruffalo (sp?) however. He has yet to disapoint me.

The 10-Pound rating................8.5/10

BUKASHA!!!

(I admit to being a Miami Vice junkie, nice to see your work Mann)

[Double Down]

Just got back from the theatre about an hour ago. Great film to say the least. Jamie Foxx really surprised me. I enjoyed his performance more than Cruise. The club scene was just amazing! The music, the action, everything. Definitely my favorite moment in the film.

Overall I'd give this either a ***//**** or ***1/2//****

[Browntown]

Review: Collateral

High concept, biggest star, top flight director.......safe and derivative script that is not at all fresh but it is entertaining. Coming off last years "Last Samurai", Tom Cruise rides the familiar road but at least he is the villain in "Collateral". A Los Angeles set film noir action thriller about a hitman named Vince (Cruise) with a few hours 'ta kill' (get it). Vince hitches a ride with nice guy cabbie Max (Jamie Foxx role was turned down by Adam Sandler) and has to kill 5 people for a drug czar named Felix, simple tale with predictable results.

Michael Mann is a great director and he does wonders with the stale script by making the action kinetic and the underscore cool as ice. The setting have been done as well in Jim Cameron's "The Terminator" and Mann's own "Heat" (in many ways a brotherly style) but the movie is almost the same as Mark Lester's vid classic "Night of the Running Man" starring Andrew McCarthy and Scott Glenn. The dialogue is just not as crackling as a Tarentino film so it's just 'yadayada' and pointless. But the acting is a high wire act for Jamie Foxx and he is the real focus of the action, Cruise is there for star power (delivered well).

A great opening with Max picking up a lawyer (Jada P. Smith) and it is sweet. The night club shootout is exceptional and tight, and a stop over in a jazz joint is brilliant acting by Barry Shabaka Henry as the owner. Mark Ruffolo is the cop on the beat and Javier Bardem is a cool Felix. It's Foxx that steals the picture (shot on high def video) and Mann is a tech-noir master. Good popcorn flick with a tepid script.

http://www.browntownjohnny.com/index.php

[MadsenOMC]

I may be in the minority, but I'll take Collateral and its writing over both Kill Bills any day of the week and twice on Sunday. I think Collateral's script is vastly superior to the scripts for both Kill Bills, and Tarantino isn't half as good a director as Mann.

[Fisting Ackbar]

Some minor flaws aside, it's my third favorite of the year so far. Loved the exchanges between Cruise and Foxx and I couldn't believe how well the high definition digital look worked in it's advantage. Great soundtrack as well (loved the songs in the taxi with Annie and Max + the one in Club Fever).


8/10

[sharkstank]

saw it yesterday and i thought it was great. ***1/2
cruise was cool as hell, as was ruffalo and foxx.
smith was good, but barely there
cant write review now

WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[ANavissi500]

I was blown away by this movie. I did not expect it to be this good. The acting by Cruise, Foxx, and Smith was sensational. There was a very real chemistry between the respective relationships. The film had a really nice grainy feel that made it seem much more real. The tension was unbelieveable - I was def. breathing heavy towards the ending. Finally a tense film that really doesn't resort to the "twist" - I mean yes there was a twist, but they played it off casually almost. My two favorite scenes were Jada and Jamie's cab talk and the scene at the jazz club with Mr. Miles Davis. #2 film of 2004 so far.

[FeelingInfinite]

I thought the movie was great. It managed to be original even though it was an action movie..which we all know are usually very similar.

The characters were better developed than in most action movies and the camera work was more artistic and showed skill.

There was one shot that showed Cruise in the back of the cab and you could see so much of his character in his eyes. I hope someone knows what I mean by that. This was not only cuz it was a great shot but because Cruise was amazing in the part. His normal giant smile was gone and he just seemed callous..and I dunno he was cool as shit.

anyways...good movie...blahblahblah

oops I almost forgot to mention the digital recording bit...it really added to the feeling of the movie.
done now:D

[go2]

this movie was fucking awesome tom cruise kicked mayor ass he was fucking awesome and so was jamie foxx.it's such a cool film.a 10/10 from me.i enjoyed it alot.

[Mr. Fred Krueger]

The movie was frickin great. Cruise is a great bad guy and Fox has proven to me that he can act. Highly recommended.

[bankholdup]

I went with a friend to see this today, but since he doesn't know a right turn from a hole in the ground, we were late. So, I'll have to wait to see this puppy.

[TheGodSon]

Another great Tom Cruise movie. Another great Michael Mann movie. The man who directed Heat and The Insider, two of my favorite movies turns out making another one of my favorite movies in Collateral. Tom Cruise is absolutely bad ass in this movie and he deserves yet another oscar nomination for his role. Foxx was great as well as a cab driving hostage to Cruise. The movie has almost everything you want in a movie, suprising amount of humor, great suspense, action, and all-around fantastic acting. The movie was shot on a digital camera which also adds very well to the mood to the film. Great soundtrack as well. The music in the club fevers scene was awesome, not to mention that whole shootout was sweet. I'll definitely be buying this bad boy when it comes out.

9/10.





SPOILERS AHEAD!



A very minor flaw that only bothered me a little.










How in god's name did Tom Cruise get his gun inside Club Fevers?

[ChemicalRomance]

SHIT. I neeeeed to see this!

[mitty]

I'm still perplexed by the wolf/coyote scene. I love Audioslave, but the song/scene seemed a bit out of place.

Explainations?

[londonwpr]

Collateral was a well done Michael Mann film. I was **tiny spoiler**

disappointed that Jason Statham didn't play a role, besides being the Transporter for 10 seconds. I love that guy and was teased that he was going to be in the movie. Besides that, Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx do a wonderful job in this well-written film. I like how Mann uses humor to cut the tension. At first, I really didn't buy Cruise's character, but I think that's what Mann wanted the viewer to do - see Cruise as a good bad guy. By the end of the movie, however, it is evident that Cruise really is a bad bad guy. I really enjoyed this film!

[The Engraved]

9/10

Without a doubt, this was one of the best movies I've seen so far this year. Michael Mann is such a great director. I love how he shot the movie and the whole tempo of it. I've been to L.A. before and he really captured how vast and lonely the city can be to an individual. Jaime Foxx was also great and I think he is really proving that he can be taken as a serious actor ( can't wait to see him in Ray). Yet for me the best thing about this movie was the character Cruise played, Vincent. He was such a great villain. Maybe one of the best I've ever seen. I love how he cooly does his job and rationalizes his actions as matter of factly. His interaction with Foxx was also great and you really come to understand Foxx as a result of Cruise. Though Cruise's character is never fully understood or really known, you do get glimpses of his true self and come out feeling for him.

10/10 - Both my siblings thought it was virtually a perfect movie. My brother thinks Cruise's character is like the character in Training Day . This film reminded him alot of Taxi Driver also. (One scene in the cab with the fog does look like Taxi Driver and then there is also a scene that reminds both of us of Christopher Walken in King Of New York.) According to my brother this is Mann's second best movie only after Heat.