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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.

The story premise is not a new one. We can see other works of action in between pickup and delivery of a suspect or a witness all the way from the 1990s in movies like Eraser (1996) and S.W.A.T (2003). But I like how the story unfolds and develops. It's quite predictable in the bigger picture level, yet it's execution details are nice enough. The action is not bad. I particularly like how Jack and Eddie can escape multiple standoffs even including one hostage situation. Bruce Willis can get his calm mode on for his character here, and Mos Deff really did a great job in giving a balance to a big name such as Willis. It's entertaining enough for me.

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.

This movie was an excellent surprise. It starts slow, but stay with it. Your first look at Bruce Willis as the burnt-out over the hill cop tells you this will not be the normal shoot-em-up cop drama. The plot starts building almost instantly, unlike many movies where you have to wait through thirty minutes of fluff before the story goes anywhere. The characters in the movie are surprisingly endearing, honest and genuine. They're just normal enough to identify with. Not the standard super evil villain and valiant good guy. Bruce Willis is awesome in his role as the tired underdog struggling with the morality of torn loyalty. Mos Def, whose character's voice was a little aggravating, played an excellent supporting role. The relationship he develops with Willis'character is both surprising and humorous. Overall, the movie was tense from the start and is filled with suspense, humor and a great deal of drama. It takes some unexpected turns and has a great ending. I highly recommend it.

Det. Jack Mosley (Bruce Willis) is an old tired apathetic drunk. It's been a long night shift, and he's about to go home. He's roped in to bring witness Eddie (Mos Def) from jail to the courthouse to testify. It's a distance of 16 blocks. Then people start trying to kill Eddie including Jack's former partner Det. Frank Nugent (David Morse).

This is a surprisingly tense thriller from director Richard Donner. Bruce is playing an older drunk John McClane. Mos Def is pretty fun as jittery talking machine. David Morse has great intensity. The cat and mouse game is very compelling. And the chemistry between Jack and Eddie develops very nicely. This is a great tense thriller. The ending is a bit unnecessarily messy. A simpler finish would be much better.