Collateral
One night in the City of Angels, an always-up-for-small-talk cab driver, Max (Jamie Foxx), picks up the strikingly Richard Gere looking Vincent (Tom Cruise). Vincent is the visitor from out of town, and Max has driven the streets of LA so long, he has drive times down to a science. He has bigger dreams and hopes though.
All starts out normal enough with Vincent requesting a ride to his destination, but shortly after arrival and a body flying out of an apartment window, landing on the top of Max’s taxi...things turn ugly for the parties involved. Max becomes aware that Vincent is a contract killer hired to take out 5 people that night. Vincent doesn't know the people he's paid to eradicate, nor does he care. He just knows they did something wrong to the person who hired him. That's of little solace because he doesn't meet with them, in order to maintain anonymity. For Vincent, it's not personal. It's business...risky business. HA!! Get it?!?! Tom Cruise...early 80's movie...*ahem*
Collateral isn’t an over-the-top action movie, but it approaches that area. Maybe with a couple exploding buildings or helicopter chases it could be up there. But as is, it’s a better than average thriller. It's not all gunplay here, as Vincent is quite knowledgeable in the kickin' ass department. There’s a few moments that bring this movie down to a human level, such as the flirty conversation between Max and Annie (Jada Pinkett Smith), or when Max visits his mom in the hospital and some of his secrets are exposed in front of others. With these rare exceptions, Collateral is a pretty intense run once the cabbie tries to save the day.
You didn't think the bad guy would get away with it did you? Some aspects are predictable, but since I'm not in the business of trying to figure out movies the moment opening credits roll, I shall defer that to those people that don't like to sit back and enjoy a good action/suspense flick. Well worth the price of admission.
