16 BLOCKS

Starring:
Bruce Willis, Mos Def, David Morse, Casey Sander, Cylk Cozart, David Zayas and Jenna Stern

Director:
Richard Donner

Running Time:
105 mins

Out to buy on 21/08/06

"Why are you helping him?"

Burnt out cop Jack Mosley (Willis) has just finished an extremely long night shift when his lieutenant gives him a prisoner transport duty. He is to take witness Eddie Bunker (Def) to the New York courthouse, which is only sixteen blocks from the precinct. When he stops to get a drink on the way, Eddie is attacked in the car by two armed assailants and Jack is forced into action but when he calls for back up he realises that Eddie is no ordinary witness and the sixteen blocks they have to travel might the longest of their lives.

Director Richard Donner returns to the cop genre but it is time that is the lethal weapon this time around.

After redefining the cop thriller with the 'Lethal Weapon' series, Richard Donner brings us another buddy movie but this is very different dynamic than Riggs and Murtaugh. Here we have a burnt out cop, riddled with personal doubt and drinking himself into an early grave. While he may have a few similarities with Mel Gibson's character from the first 'Lethal Weapon' but Jack Mosley is a very different character than the typical action character that graced the 80s and 90s.

The role itself is a different kind of part for Bruce Willis as well. After quite a few misfires, the actor has turned his career around with appearances in 'Sin City' and 'Lucky Number Slevin'. As with the characters from those films, Jack Mosley is an older character that isn't a typical person that Willis has played throughout his career. Jack Mosley is a man who is on the verge of giving up on everything and everybody and Willis really throws himself into a role, not afraid to play someone who is a complete mess.

Playing alongside Willis is an emerging talent who is really starting to be noticed. Rap star turned actor Mos Def plays prosecuting witness Eddie Bunker, a man who only want to do the right thing and then go and visit his sister in Seattle. His voice is slightly annoying at first but as the film progresses it becomes part of a character and persona that you actually grow to like. This is another role that shows that he is as talented at acting as he is with his music.

David Morse is one of those actors you always recognise but can never remember his name. As the villainous Frank Nugent, he plays the corrupt cop with great aplomb, believing he is doing the right thing, even though he is breaking the law.

Richard Donner and his creative team capture the hectic, confinement of the New York streets and the surrounding buildings. These enclosed spaces and traffic-laden streets, make the sixteen blocks a jungle that you can disappear in or standout like a thumb. This makes New York as much as a character as the human cast.

'16 Blocks' is a return to form for director Richard Donner and his star Bruce Willis. While the finale might be slightly telegraphed by the script, this is a well acted and superbly shot thriller that entertains throughout.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented extremely well.

BONUS FEATURES

Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Richard Donner and Richard Wenk (19.52 mins)
The director and the writer come together to introduce and comment on deleted scenes from the movie. Here you can see the original opening, more interaction between Jack Mosley and Eddie Bunker and more of the chase through the streets of New York. This is an extremely well presented collection of deleted scenes and the way that all these edited scenes should be done on DVD.

Alternative Ending (6.37 mins)
Director Richard Donner and writer Richard Wenk introduce what was the original ending to the movie that was re-shot for the theatrical release.

Theatrical Trailer (2.12 mins)
Watch the trailer that advertised the film's release in theatres.

OVERALL

While the deleted scenes are exceptionally well done, that is the only thing on the DVD which fans will find disappointing. The lack of interviews or a commentary for the main feature is disappointing, especially after putting so much effort into the deleted scenes. Fans could be disappointed.

DVD

Lethal Weapon


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2006