Related Resources • "Collateral" Photos, Credits and Trailer • Movie Reviews • Upcoming Theatrical Releases

There's an eerie, otherworldly feel to the way director Michael Mann (“The Insider,” “Heat”) has portrayed the City of Angels in “Collateral.” Los Angeles at night is a whole different beast and in Mann's hands, the city itself becomes a living, breathing character. Dark and brooding, the LA depicted in “Collateral” provides the perfect backdrop to this intense action thriller.

Tom Cruise sports grey hair (you get used to it quickly and it isn't nearly as distracting as it appears to be in the trailer) and only briefly flashes his trademark smile as he takes on the role of Vincent, a contract killer who needs to knock off five people in the course of one evening. Jamie Foxx co-stars as Max, an LA cabbie who's biding his time until he can open his own limo service. Max likes his customers, keeps a clean cab, and is a geniunely nice guy. Driving taxis for 12 years, Max believes he's seen it all. But when Vincent steps into his cab, all semblance of normalcy quickly fades away. Max soon finds himself involved in a nightmare from which can't awake. As Vincent begins his night of killing, Max is taken along as an unwilling accomplice.

The story's set over the course of one night, and as the evening progresses, the relationship between the 'collateral' and the killer evolves into something strange and twisted. Vincent constantly threatens Max, yet when Max's life is in danger, Vincent saves him without any hesitation. There's a unexpected connection between the two men, both of whom are just trying to do their jobs the only way they know how.

A large portion of “Collateral” takes place inside the taxi. Jamie Foxx is seated behind the wheel with Tom Cruise in the backseat, leading to shots of Foxx looking into the rearview mirror to gauge Cruise's mood and reactions. Mann creates a dangerous, intimate environment inside the cab, effectively changing up the camera angles to show just Cruise in the backseat with a range of emotions playing over his face, or focusing in on Foxx as he tries to maintain his composure. The tight confines of the cab contribute to the escalating dramatic tension that speeds along rapidly as the movie builds toward its climax.

The fast-paced action sequences are interspersed with scenes focusing on the emotional tension and psychological drama playing out between the cold-blooded killer and the innocent driver. In one scene, driver and killer speed away from the police only to slow to a crawl as they watch with fascination two coyotes crossing the city's streets. Moments like that are inserted throughout the film, easing the tension down a notch or two and allowing the audience a chance to sit back and catch its collective breath.

“Collateral” compares favorably to Michael Mann's best work. It also marks Jamie Foxx's best performance to date (though rumor has it his performance in “Ray” may be Oscar-worthy). Tom Cruise shows he's capable of ditching his nice-guy persona when necessary. Cruise makes a believable bad guy, surprisingly menacing and completely convincing as a hard-hearted killer. Supporting players include Mark Ruffalo as a cop who questions his superiors, Javier Bardem as the movie's biggest bad guy, Jada Pinkett Smith as a prosecuting attorney, and Peter Berg as Ruffalo's partner. Everyone in this cast shares the credit for helping to create one of 2004's most compelling thrillers.

Working from a taut script and under Mann's skilled hand, Cruise, Foxx, Ruffalo, and the entire cast of “Collateral” command your attention and never let up. In the middle of the summer superhero, special effects-heavy, teen-oriented movies, “Collateral” is a terrific thrill ride just for adults.

GRADE: A-

"Collateral" was directed by Michael Mann and is rated R for violence and language.

"COLLATERAL" RESOURCES:
"Collateral" Photo Gallery
"Collateral" Credits, Trailer, Soundtrack and Websites