16 calles

This is not a remake of "The Gauntlet," though the theme is a familiar one. There are, in fact, several movies with similar plots; "3:10 to Yuma" and "Narrow Margin" come to mind. A reviewer emailed me that "Midnight Run" not only has a story like "16 Blocks" but Bruce Willis' character Jack Mosley has a name that is a composite of the movie names for two of the leading roles in "Midnight Run": Robert De Niro's Jack Walsh and Yaphet Kotto's FBI Agent Alonzo Mosely. This, of course, may be mere coincidence. Though the story may seem like déjà vu, the action is fast paced making this an exciting film to watch.

Anyone who doubts that Bruce Willis can act needs only watch his standout performance in "Pulp Fiction" to see what depth this actor can bring to a demanding role. The role of Jack Mosely may not be challenging to Willis, but he still gives it all he's got which is plenty. Playing the part of an over the hill New York cop with a game leg, nothing to live for, and a drinking problem seems easy for Willis to make it all believable.

The criminal, Eddie Bunker, Jack must deliver to testify within a certain time frame is played with gusto by hip-hop artist Mos Def. Eddie is the most verbose prisoner ever. He rattles on and on about anything that comes to mind, some of it funny, some of it trite. He also has a riddle that is not answered till near the end of the film.

A standout performance is delivered by David Morse as the leader of the dirty cops, Frank Nugent. Morse is in danger of becoming typecast as a dishonest lawman. I'm hopeful he will become more diversified in his roles since he is such a talented actor.

This is another winner from action director Richard Donner. If you like his other successful concoctions such as the "Lethal Weapon" flicks, "Superman," "Conspiracy Theory," and "The Omen," then you will certainly enjoy "16 Blocks."

Bruce Willis doesn't exactly have to stretch himself here, in the role of Jack Mosley. Jack is an extremely weary, damaged veteran NYPD detective with a fondness for the bottle. One morning he receives a supposedly minor assignment: escort a witness named Eddie Bunker (Yasiin Bey, a.k.a. hip hop artist Mos Def) to a courthouse. But this turns out to be a nightmare, because this witness' testimony will help to put away some VERY dirty cops, and they will do ANYTHING to silence Bunker - and Mosley, if need be.

Recalling the 1977 Clint Eastwood vehicle "The Gauntlet" (to name just one possible influence), "16 Blocks" explores fairly familiar territory. Still, the idea of watching this seriously burnt-out cop begin to redeem himself makes it all pretty compelling. Richard Donner (in what was his last film for the past 13 years) guides it all in style, with top action scenes and good use of NYC locations. The film starts off in a rather low-key manner, then ratchets up the tension and quickens the pace as the first attempt is made on Bunkers' life. The chemistry between cop and witness is effective enough to carry the story through to its ultimate conclusion, especially as Mosley realizes that Bunker is really not a bad person, despite what his colleagues try to tell him. (It's worth noting that the naming of this character may be a deliberate nod to the real-life Eddie Bunker, who'd spent time in prison and turned his life around by becoming a novelist and screenwriter, and actor, in things like "Reservoir Dogs".)

When he actually gives a damn about a project, Willis can still deliver a riveting performance, as he does so here. Despite his flaws, Mosley comes off as an all-too-human protagonist, one with some rooting interest. Since it's Willis in the role, the viewer has no doubt that he's still capable of kicking some ass when necessary. As for Mos Def, his affected, nasal voice CAN grate on the nerves, as well as the characters' incessant chattiness, but the performance is basically sound. Familiar faces in supporting roles include the always great David Morse (as the ringleader of the crooked cops), David Zayas ('Dexter'), Casey Sander ('Grace Under Fire'), Cylk Cozart ("White Men Can't Jump"), Kim Chan ("Lethal Weapon 4"), and Donner's actor cousin Steve Kahan, whom action fans know as Captain Murphy in the "Lethal Weapon" franchise.

A good, enjoyable action-thriller overall, which finds all of its key participants in fine form. One memorable sequence has Jack and Eddie trapped on a bus and surrounded by the authorities.

Seven out of 10.

Certainly a decent cop - thriller; it's quite entertaining despite some actions sequences that are really unlikely (they could also be called brainless). In fact credulity is put to the test a lot of times, nevertheless "16 Blocks" is a kind of movie that makes you reflect on what you saw. Bruce Willis plays the unusual part of a broken down cop ready for both rehabilitation and retirement, weary of working and living as well; Bruce has never looked more unkempt and scruffy but his part his acting is really persuasive and cogent. The ending could (should) have been less predictable but the job is in my opinion well done.

16 BLOCKS is a neat little Hollywood thriller that might not offer the bulldozing excitement of a DIE HARD movie or the fantastic stuntwork of a MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE flick, but which still generates plenty of suspense from its straightforward premise. It tells the story of a cop and a criminal, two men who have to cross New York before their deadline runs out. Of course, there's a lot more at stake than it first appears, and gradually director Richard Donner weaves a story of friendship, betrayal, skeletons in the closet and, above all else, the need to "do the right thing". It's a story that's character-focused throughout, with the emphasis on the developing relationship between Bruce Willis' detective and Mos Def's criminal. Some might find this emphasis off putting, but I for one thoroughly enjoyed it.

Bruce Willis is much as we met him in DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE (and indeed there are many parallels and references to that movie in this one); he's washed up, past his glory, except here he's even worse, saddled with a paunch and a gammy leg. Once the bullets start flying, Bruce's character takes a turn for the better and he becomes the everyday hero we all know and love him for. I was prepared to dislike Mos Def's high-talking criminal but, surprisingly enough, he's one of the best things in the film, and he really makes the criminal character his own, adding warmth to the feature. David Morse, off our screens for too long, is as great as ever as the corrupt cop who becomes the nemesis of the heroes.

While the film is not action-focused, there are some highly impressive set-pieces which strive for realism – the stand-out scene being the bus hostage rescue, of course. Elsewhere, the layer of gritty realism – no pyrotechnics here – and the endless cops-vs-robbers stealthy sneaking around generate plenty of tension and also excitement. My only real complaint is with the ending, which could have been handled a little better, but then it chooses emotion over action and it's a character-focused finale rather than one with big bangs. I remember a few years back when the film S.W.A.T. attempted a similar storyline; the difference is, that film was a piece of crap, and this one is rather good.

I almost gave up on this movie after about 15 minutes because of the annoyance of Mos Def's voice. What was up with that!? By the end this became an okay crime drama as Bruce Willis plays a burnt out (alcoholic) NYPD detective escorting a small-time crook the (16 blocks) to a grand-jury session.

Willis is impressive with his burnt-out-edness. His character does not resemble any kind of action hero here; unfit, overweight, unattractive, shuffling, gasping for a drink. Well done. And while I like David Morse his character was a bit over-the-top. I mean, I get that they're crooked cops but really, shooting wildly into a crowded NY street and a bus full of civilians. Did the bad cops think they were completely above the law or any repercussions? That they could just do whatever they wanted without consequence? Reminded me a bit of that opening scene with Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L Jackson from "The Other Guys" except that was a comedy. I will say that this grew on me by the end though. 06.13