Collateral features an amazing turn by megastar Tom Cruise in a negative shade. This is a great work by Michael Mann whose decision to shoot at night(this is an all-nighter movie) gives the film an atmosphere that is exceptional and unique. Shot on the streets of Los Angeles Cruise plays a contract killer who hires a taxi and goes about offing people systematically. Jamie Foxx plays the taxi driver and his banter with Cruise form the majority of the running time. The dialogues are good- snappy as well as thought provoking as and when the need arises, the pacing is excellent and direction, as expected from a master filmmaker is top notch. If you are used to seeing Cruise in positive heroic roles Collateral will give you a pleasant surprise.

Max, a good-hearted Los Angeles cabbie with dreams but not much resolve, takes a man named Vincent as his client for one night, and has the most unusual and dangerous night of his life...Collateral is a slick and compact film that masquerades as a crime drama/action film when it is really about its two main characters and the things they represent. Max and Vincent, played to perfection by Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise, are main characters, opponents and complementary opposites all at the same time. The film makes the unusual but effective decision of having the two opponents in the same spot for most of the film (inside Max's taxi), and this closeness prepares the ground for the exchanges between Max and Vincent, both actually noticing their problems this way and teaching each other (however, only one of them really learns). Despite its great atmosphere and impressive shootout scenes, Collateral is really about bad choices and missed chances. It's the story of two people with very different lives and morals who are dissatisfied deep down with what their choices resulted for them, and are looking for a way out whether under the guise of avoidance or adaptation. It is a great film and never becomes less interesting on repeated viewings.

Say what you want about Tom Cruise but he delivers an extremely authentic performance - I was stunned. I am writing this December 2017 and I was also very impressed with the image and sound quality (on Blu Ray) of a film from 2004. Looking forward to seeing it again.

CollateralWith an interesting premise, highly packed content and a big star cast it starts off light and easy but doesn't hold enough grip to hold the audience.