16 Blocks

Filmmaker Richard Donner has built quite a reputation for himself by creating some great modern day blockbuster classics which include the likes of the original Superman film, The Omen, all 4 Lethal Weapon films, and The Goonies. After a rare stumble back in 2003 with Timeline (a dreary time travel film based on a Michael Crichton novel), Donner returns to form with 16 Blocks - a genuinely entertaining odd couple action film that knows how to make the most out of its lead stars and its premise. Sure, it doesn't even come close to some of his earlier classics, but the film has a very laid back flow without ever being boring that I quite enjoyed in this day and age of frantic "throw everything but the kitchen sink up at the screen" action films. (See Running Scared and Domino. Or better yet, don't see them.) If anything, the film proves that Bruce Willis is making a much more natural progression into aging action star than Harrison Ford.

Willis is Jack Mosley, a burned-out alcoholic New York cop who seems to have had enough of his job and of life in general. He was once respected, but years of shady deals behind the scenes have made him into a hardened and miserable cynic whose withered face and constantly tired eyes seem to suggest that he's had one sleepless night too many. Shortly after the film opens, Mosley is charged with the task of transporting a convict named Eddie Bunker (rapper turned actor Mos Def) 16 blocks to the nearest courthouse so that he can testify. Eddie is a Federal Witness, and has apparently seen some dealings concerning some shady cops. His testimony could put a lot of people behind bars where they belong. Although the job seems routine, it quickly spirals into anything but, as the crooked officers involved in Eddie's testimony are set on seeing that he doesn't reach the courthouse alive. The cops are led by Jack's former partner and friend, Frank (David Morse), and for the first time in a long time, Jack will have to find it within himself to do the right thing. He will not only question his loyalties to his friends, but he will also have to find the determination and respect that he once held for himself and for his job if he wants to survive.

16 Blocks is a very simple, yet effective action thriller that never goes over the top, nor does it ever wear out its welcome. A big part of its success has to do with the screenplay by Richard Wenk. It knows how to take a seemingly everyday concept of transporting someone a short distance, and pile on the difficulties and obstacles without them ever becoming too far fetched. The film has a very realistic tone, so the action never becomes silly or hard to swallow. This is important in an intimate action film such as this which revolves around a fairly small cast of characters and a short time frame. It makes the lead characters that much more easier to relate to, and therefore more likeable. In fact, for an action movie, the script seems more interested in its characters than setting up elaborate action set pieces. The action scenes that are present are somewhat small in scale, but this is understandable, given that Willis' character is a strung out alcoholic who wouldn't exactly be jumping across rooftops or smashing vehicles into flaming buildings in the first place. Despite the film's somewhat smaller scale, it knows how to keep the tension up at least, mostly by using close or confined spaces in and around New York City such as Chinese laundries or run down apartment buildings for its more action-heavy sequences.

What really surprised me, however, was the undeniable and winning chemistry that its two stars hold. Willis is splendid as an aging, pot-bellied, bum-legged cop who has lost the ability to care about anything. His performance is honest, sometimes painful, and very realistic. He doesn't overplay the character's disabilities, making him sympathetic instead of pathetic. Compare this to Harrison Ford, who still seems to be playing the same kind of action roles he did 20 years ago. Willis knows how to play a believable action character his own age, whereas Ford seems to be playing an average guy who suddenly discovers that he's Superman when his family is put in danger. While Willis is instantly likeable, Mos Def took a bit longer to click with me. His character seems one note and downright annoying at first, especially with the somewhat whiny and mushmouthed tone of voice that he has chosen to give the character. As the film goes on, however, the character of Eddie and Mos Def's performance becomes much more interesting and real. He becomes a much more three dimensional character as we learn about his hopes and concerns, and we gradually realize that he really is a good pairing with Willis as the two characters and their performances play off well with each other. As the film's lead villain, David Morse is appropriately slimy, yet never quite goes into cartoon villain mode. He's a believable threat, and we can understand why he and Willis' character were friends at one time.

If there is any fault to be found with 16 Blocks it's that the film seems a bit stretched out at times, especially when you consider that Willis' character could simply end all this by contacting a news crew or something, and tell his side of the story. It never quite becomes forced, but you still have to think to yourself that things could have ended a lot sooner and easier with just one little action. The film also seems to play it a bit too safe at times, especially the ending, which is so neat and tidy and happy that you can almost see the bow that wraps it all together. The film is also very predictable, so much so that anyone with even a passing knowledge of the genre will know what to expect walking in. These criticisms, though major, were not enough to overcome the overall good feeling that I generally got from the film. Most of that feeling I owe to Willis and Mos Def, who I wouldn't mind seeing acting in another movie together someday. (As long as Mos Def loses the goofy mushmouth voice.)

16 Blocks doesn't really do anything that we haven't seen before, but its got a lot more heart than you might expect. It's always a nice change of pace to see an action film interested in the relationships of its lead characters, rather than overblown action sequences and special effects. For everything that it has going against it, it has at least 2 more going for it. It's a great little piece of escapism that should appeal to a wide audience. When all is said and done, I was entertained, and I think that's what Donner and his crew was going for. If you're looking for an action film that's a bit more character-driven than what you're used to, 16 Blocks is well worth your time.

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