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16 Blocks
Directed by: Richard Donner
Starring: Bruce Willis
Genre:
Action/Adventure
Run Time: 105
min.
Release Date:
March 2006
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Resting heavily on the
shoulders of THE GAUNTLET (Clint Eastwood, 1977), 16 BLOCKS gives us a
standard Bruce Willis action film and does so admirably. Not overly so,
but a positive nod is deserved.
Jack Mosley (Willis) is an old, alcoholic cop who's always done "the
right thing" for his department. And now he's assigned to take a
fast-talking thug named Eddie (rapper Mos Def) just 16 blocks for a
court appearance. Trouble is, though, Eddie is scheduled to testify
against some crooked cops who live and breath right in Jack's backyard.
Jack is unaware of this and soon discovers he's got much more than just
a simple escort job on his hands. People (cops mainly) are trying to
kill Eddie. Jack quickly has to make a decision: protect Eddie and "do
the right moral thing," or let his fellow brethren have their way with
him and "do the right thing for the department." Willis plays the aging
cop well. He grumbles and drinks and generally hates what he does. The
dirty New York offices and streets were shot well and gave an overall
sense of the uncleanliness of Jack's life (including his past, which
comes up toward the end of the film).
Mos Def plays the irritating convict and his grating voice bugged the
crap out of me. He sounded very nasal and whiney but, in contrast, this
added a strange upbeat quality to a film that could've gotten too dark.
I also like the fact that Willis isn't trying to play the "young stud"
anymore on film. He's getting older and I'm happy to see him in roles
befitting his age.
The alternate endings on the DVD are worth watching, too. Personally, I
would've gone with an alternate ending rather than the one seen in
theaters. But maybe that's just me...
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Image from 16 Blocks
DVD cost: $18.89
Purchase:
Tower.com (Blu-Ray)
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Bruce Willis' character's
name "Jack Mosely" is derived from Robert DeNiro's character in Midnight
run, where he was in a similar situation playing a bounty hunter who had
to bring his subject across the country whilst being chased by the mob
and the FBI.
Movie Quote: "You've
got a choice to make: the kid or your ex-partner."
Other Actors/Actresses
from 16 Blocks
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