Collateral (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Diving into a Michael Mann film requires a smidgen of knowing what you're getting into. First off, he is a fastidious, meticulous, detail-oriented director. Working for him isn't easy because he's so demanding. It shows in Collateral all over the place. You get the usual Mann trappings: nighttime city-scapes, overhead helicopter shots, tough guys in light-colored suits, the psychological toll one's profession has on a man, and of course the obligatory three minute quasi-music video while driving but not saying anything (in this case, you'll get Audioslave's "Shadow on the Sun"). If those sorts of motifs bother you, look past them, because in Collateral you've actually got a pretty interesting story - a hitman who hires a cab to get around L.A. as fast as possible to take out key witnesses, prosecutors, confidential informants, and moles within the drug cartels. It is inventive, even if it stretches the realm of credibility at times. Other than Mann's backdrops, the chemistry between Cruise and Foxx is the real allure of the film. Their interplay is all at once confusing, suppressed, calculated, philosophical, laced with malaise, and as it turns out in the end, somewhat fraternal. Also noteworthy is Mark Ruffalo, who makes brief appearances throughout the film as the only law enforcement officer who pieces together how to engage the duo. Great film if you enjoy Mann's work. Also, don't miss out on his 1995 film "Heat."

Tom Cruise plays a hitman who arrives in Los Angeles and receives his job from a cameo by Jason Statham. It turns out he is to eliminate a number of people that threaten a Mexican drug gang. He’s only shown for a brief period however as the opening as the film is mostly about Jamie Foxx who plays an aspiring taxi cab driver who picks up Jada Pinkett Smith who is a lawyer. Despite coming from different worlds the two hit it off and Smith gives Foxx her number.At first it’s two disconnected stories, but they quickly come together when Foxx picks up Cruise in what turns out to be one very, very long night. Foxx gets caught up in Cruise’s murders and eventually he turns to eliminate Smith, which was why she was in the opening. There’s even one points where Foxx has to play Cruise’s character to the mafia that hired him because he lost his hit list and Cruise doesn’t want to reveal himself to his employees. Foxx pulls off the tough hit man persona even though he looks like just a regular guy with glasses and a zip up sweat shirt.The movie was a Michael Man production. Most of it was filmed with a high definition video and you can immediately tell that from the start as there is definitely a different quality to the shots.The action is good as Cruise does his hits and later goes after Foxx and Smith. There’s also building tension as the movie progresses. For example, Foxx and Cruise are pulled over the police because he has a broken window and they almost take away his taxi which has a dead body in the trunk. More importantly the relationship between Cruise and Foxx as they talk to each other in the cab for most of the film is engaging and carries much of the story. At first, Foxx is terrified of Cruise as he finds out that he’s a hit man. Then Cruise takes a liking to Foxx and they have actual conversations. He even encourages Foxx to see his sick mom in the hospital.Overall the movie is a really good thriller with some great acting by Foxx and Cruise.

Collateral is such a fantastic film. Michael Mann is brilliant in his direction, the cast is phenomenal, bringing serious life to its characters, and the story is simple, yet exhilarating.I detest Tom Cruise, but he is amazing in this motion picture, playing Vincent, a hit man who goes all out to complete his mission. Jamie Foxx was nominated for an Oscar for his performance as Max, a cab driver who unluckily picked up the wrong fare. Mark Ruffalo is brilliant portraying Fanning, an L.A. Cop who understands a puzzle that no one else can put together.The story combines first class character building, but combines it with a suspense filled environment which makes Alfred Hitchcock sit on the edge of his coffin. It's truly unreal.If you're looking for a great way to spend two hours, and you love suspense, action, and drama, rent this, but this, own this amazing piece of motion picture masterpiece.

This is a really great movie with excellent directing and acting by all parties involved. Tom Cruise is phenomenal. He seems to be one of the more versatile actors out there and there is something about him that is just always interesting to watch. He is definitely one of the best actors of our time. Jamie Foxx really steals the show here. He manages to inject some comedy into what could have been a really dark movie. It takes less than 10 minutes to establish his character and make him likable to the audience. That takes skill. The story itself is fascinating and original and you really don't know how it is going to end until the end of the movie. I did feel like the ending of the movie left a little bit to be desired and could have been executed better. That is really the only flaw that I found with this movie.

The one most important element that is the foundation of this film is factually ludicrous and that is why it is a four star film, and that element is.....you never ever involve a third party, never, ever. Rent a car, steal a car or build the damn thing yourself, but the last thing you would do, is exactly what Vincent does, that`s the main problem. Mann had all the ingredients this time, but I do not think they were all employed wisely. The only Cruise that should have been in this film is on the steering wheel. IMO Terrible casting, I mean it is damn hard to sell Tom as the bad guy, after he has saved the World, Wall Street, Global Satellites and his girl so many times before. Foxx was miscast as well, again IMO I believe Russell Crowe with Adam Sandler would have been my choices, Christ, Sandler probably has 100 million and he still looks exactly like a cabbie. We all know Crowe can handle the rest.

I have driven through LA on dry hot nights and it's an experience that stays with you, all the more if you lived most your life in wet and wild northern England. This excellent film recreates that atmosphere of a soulless, dangerous dirty dusty city at night to perfection. It could be any city but it's also definitely LA. There's something about cities at night that excites and Mann has captured this feeling with great skill. I don't often enjoy film soundtracks, unless they are tinkling away somewhere far in the background, but here it's different. I often pop the dvd on after a couple of jack daniels solely to listen to the sound-track and relax. Watching that cab cruise through Santa Monica and around town while Hands of Time plays just takes me right out of my chair and back to the back seat of a cab on the west coast. Jamie Foxx is the standout actor here, and he's just amazing, while TC is bearable as the super focussed assassin, so I get to my 'special place' without being too distracted. The tension cranks up as cruise works through his list and the ending is just as atmospheric as the beginning, set on the city's tube system. Top 10 for me - just wonderful. Although hugely different in every way, I'd also recommend Miami Vice by Mann both TV and new film, if only for the way they celebrate city architechture, lighting (and thumpojgn 80s music).

Nobody's perfect, but it's hard to go wrong with a Michael Mann-directed film, especially when it's a crime movie.Although this isn't the quality of his 1995 "Heat," it wasn't far behind in its ability to interest and entertain the viewer while providing some slick visuals.Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx are the stars of the film, Foxx winning an Academy Award. No offense to him, but I found Cruise better. He was just outstanding in here as the immoral hit-man. Foxx was entertaining, too, as the nerd-ish cab driver who is pulled into Cruise's murdering adventures.You'll appreciate both of these guys, and the great visuals, more on the second viewing after you are familiar with the story. The intense film is definitely worth more than one look. Check out the behind-the-scenes documentary, too. You'll be glad you are not an actor in one of Mann's films.

have no control over Amazon putting this review under other film formats eg Blu-Ray. This review is for the DVD version. Whilst the plot may be the same, the final cut, audio, video quality may vary on other formats.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------There are very few Tom Cruise films that I dislike, so this was a safe gamble for me when I bought it without knowing anything about the film.Tom Cruise steps out of his usual heroic character and into the shoes of Vincent, a cold and calculating assassin. He gets picked up by Max (Jamie Foxx), a mild mannered taxi Driver and is ferried around from one kill to another, but something goes wrong and Max becomes aware of his passengers true intentions and his connection to the last victim on the hit list.Almost 10 years old now, but this film still has a lot of appeal and even though you may know the whole plot, it is still a film you can pick up and watch from time to time. So for the current price of 2 GBP it is a sound entertainment investment

Arrived in prompt time. Seen before at a long stint on dvd prior to buying this blu eay version. Story tense driven film as tom cruise is the hitnan assassin intent in seeking out the given assigned hits as he bumps into james foxx taxi alias taxi driver exploiting him to drive around carrying out the purpose picking off targets as its gripping ,edgely adrenalin stuff.

This is one of those movies that have two remarkable things going for it: that is it is story driven the dialogue is genius; also it is action driven as well; mesh the two together and you have a Tome Cruise and Jamie Fox masterpiece. One can see that Cruise who plays the assassin is not all you would expect from an assassin somethings going on with him and Jamie Fox the cab driver that keeps his cab ship shape ultra clean. The two men are at loggerheads when the first assassin goes wrong but Jamie still has to drive him to his next hits. Look out for the memorable club scene its iconic.