Hit (with strings attached) – Starring Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx. Directed by Michael Mann.

Collateral has all the right elements of an action thriller, but then something strange happens… This movie is like going to the top of the roller coaster. Your excitement levels rise and you feel that this movie is going in a really good direction. All the sudden you get to the top of the roller coaster and it turns into the Monorail. The whole time you are thinking, I thought I was on a roller coaster, what happened? I am trying to figure that out as well because I felt that Collateral really had some excellent potential. Tom Cruise’s portrayal of Vincent is haunting up until the moment where he goes crazy in the club scene. Then the performance falls off the reality table and just becomes over the top. During this scene I really wanted him to say, (before kicking someone’s booty) “I learned this move in The Last Samurai.â€? Jamie Foxx also gives a great performance but I don’t feel that it is anything to write home about. When an actor goes out of his element (in this case comedy) to do something a little different (drama), Hollywood feels the need to say the actor was sooooo gooooood. But, honestly… HE IS AN ACTOR! IT IS HIS JOB TO BE ABLE TO DO ANY GENRE! Give me a break. Yes, his performance is good but let’s not get too excited about it. This is his job. I hope he can do more than just one area of his job. It’s like asking an elementary school teacher who always teaches science to now teach social studies, of course they should be able to know how to do this, that is what they are credentialed for… hello! His performance in this movie does not look like anything close to his performance in the upcoming movie Ray. But, back to the topic… From the trailers and previews I expected this movie to take place in NYC. I was thrown for a loop when the setting was actually L.A. Who rides in a cab in Los Angeles? Honestly? I mean, I know that there are Cabs in the city but wouldn’t it be more likely to hire a Cab in NYC? For Collateral, there is nothing more to say. I was entertained but then I was horribly let down. Bottom line: Wait for video or see this during a matinee.

Best Scene: When Vincent talks to Max’s (Foxx) boss over the radio about Max’s car accident.

Rated R for violence and language.
Action
Running Time: 2 hours

Photo © DreamWorks Pictures. All Rights Reserved.