16
Blocks is a derivative, all too familiar thriller, but it’s a perfect example
of how solid performances and efficient direction can elevate a film above it’s
“been there, done that” material. Everything that the recent Firewall
got wrong, 16 Blocks gets right in what could be best described as a fusion of
Training Day (good cops gone bad), Phone Booth (confined action in real time),
and Midnight Run (man of authority finds himself bonding with prisoner he’s
supposed to be taking into custody).
In
16 Blocks, Bruce Willis is aging veteran cop Jack Mosley (an odd little side note–Mosley
was the name of Yaphet Kotto’s character in the previously mentioned Midnight
Run). He’s been through it all, but now his career is winding down. One day
while working in his New York City precinct, he’s ordered to escort petty
criminal turned informer Eddie Bunker (Mos Def), sixteen blocks to a local courthouse
to testify against a pack of corrupt cops. What should’ve been a routine,
fifteen minute jaunt turns into a nightmare as the corrupt cops and their croniies
attempt to stop Mosley and Bunker from reaching their destination.
Essentially,
16 Blocks is an action movie cliche smorgishboard, but I’ll be damned if
it doesn’t work like a charm. Props to veteran director Richard Donner who,
at age 75, still has plenty of energy left in him. 16 Blocks does more than ride
along on a Lethal Weapon (a Donner classic) inspired coat-tail. Donner injects
real tension into the familiar proceedings, and what’s more, he’s able
to capture real chemistry between his two leads as he did with the Mel Gibson/Danny
Glover franchise. What’s more, he gets plenty of mileage out of a scenario
we’ve seen countless times. In this case, it’s the age old tale of two
troubled men who help one another change for the better - while under extreme
pressure.
There
isn’t anything particularly memorable about the screenplay. It really is
a series of recycled actioneer machismo, but these actors really sell the movie,
and screenwriter Richard Wenk is wise enough to play down Mosley’s motivation
for wanting to protect Bunker.
Bruce
Willis is no stranger to the world of cop roles, but he wisely avoids his John
McClane persona here by playing Mosley as an worn down, pot bellied cop out to
seek redemption. 16 Blocks doesn’t feature a single scene in which a shirtless
Willis hauls ass down the streets of New York wielding a semi automatic weapon
(although he does barrel down an alley in a hostage filled bus). Instead, Willis
goes a completely different route opting to play his own age (in fact, he plays
a little older). He even sports a goofy looking mustache in a role that is ultimately
the polar opposite of the characters that put him on the big screen map. I really
enjoyed him in this picture.
The
commanding David Morse is wicked cool as the aforementioned good cop gone bad.
Seldom does this terrific character actor get to play the heavy, and here, he
succeeds with flying colors.
Finally,
cheers to Mos Def who becomes more compelling with each passing performance. His
street smart simpleton Eddie Bunker starts off as a rather annoying individual
(wait until you hear his voice), but as the film progressed I was completely captivated
by him. Def is charming and extremely playful. Look no further than a tiny but
effective moment in which he has an immensely entertaining exchange with bad guy
Morse.
16 Blocks
does require a great deal of suspension of disbelief. Much of the film will be
a bit hard for some movie-goers to swallow, and some might even find the proceedings
a tad dull. Personally, I was entertained and I really didn’t expect to be.
Donner
has been in a bit of a slump lately with forgettable fare like Timeline and Assassins.
At times, I forget that this is the same guy who directed that landmark Twilight
Zone episode, Nightmare at 20,000 Feet (starring William Shatner). He would then
go on to direct numerous noteworthy films including The Omen, Superman (one of
my all time favorite films), and Ladyhawke. While 16 Blocks isn’t necessarily
in the same league as those pictures, it is easily his most entertaining flick
since 1994's light hearted Maverick. And for an action piece, it’s his most
assured work since 1989's Lethal Weapon 2. 16 Blocks is familiar to be sure, but
it’s so damn entertaining and so well acted, that I was able to forgive it
it’s minor shortcomings.
