16 Blocks

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16 Blocks (2006)

Genre: Crime Action Thriller

Director: Richard Donner

Certificate: 16 Blocks was rated 12A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of 12 years of age or upwards. Persons under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Violence = strong. Drugs = mild. Sex/Nudity = none. Language = moderate.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: 16 Blocks

Plot Summary

Jack Mosely (Bruce Willis), a New York cop, is old, depressed, drinks quite a bit, and has lost faith in life and in being a cop. He's given an “easy” job of transferring a witness from a cell to a courthouse only 16 blocks away. The witness, Eddie (Mos Def), just wants to give his testimony in court and leave New York to start his new life in Seattle. They head off together in Jack’s car and begin their journey to the courthouse. On the way Jack stops to buy some liquor and someone tries to shoot Eddie. It transpires that Eddie is giving evidence against some people who will stop at nothing to prevent him from getting to the courthouse...

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Review

Set in New York in the middle of a very hot summer, this film runs in “real” time. The story starts at approximately 8am and runs until 10am. You can feel the heat and tension throughout the film, and even a sense of panic at times. The traffic, noise, and confusion of the busy New York streets are well depicted.

Even though, overall, the story is predictable there are a couple of little twists that you mightn't see coming and there is always something happening to hold your interest, including a few very good action scenes.

Bruce Willis is extremely well cast, I was expecting him to play someone similar to his “Die Hard” character, John McClane, but looking a lot heavier and dishevelled he makes for a credible, weary, disillusioned, cop! The smartass one liners are also avoided!

Mos Def who plays petty criminal Eddie Bunker, the witness, also gives a strong performance as a fast talker who never shuts up!

Playing New York cop, Frank Nugent, David Morse also adds favourably to the cast.

Lasting thought: It’s never too late to change.

Bottom Line: A bit of a "popcorn movie" but it's well done and thoroughly entertaining. If you enjoy 16 Blocks you might also enjoy: Inside Man (2006), Hostage (2005), or Collateral (2004).

Reviewed by Sharon Swift, Premier Movie Reviews 2006.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS: RICHARD DONNER: Timeline. BRUCE WILLIS: Bandits, Hostage, Sin City, Unbreakable. MOS DEF: The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, Monster's Ball, The Italian Job, The Woodsman. DAVID MORSE: Proof Of Life.

Main Cast

Bruce Willis

Mos Def

David Morse

Cylk Cozart

Jenna Stern

Casey Sander

David Zayas

RATING