16 Blocks

Reviewed by:
Pete Hammond

A restrained Bruce Willis turns in his best performance in some time as a beaten-down NYPD detective who must escort a chatty prisoner (Mos Def, playing it on speed) across town to a grand jury hearing. Reluctantly agreeing to the assignment, he actually manages to learn as much about himself as the guy he's escorting in the 16 blocks it takes to get to their destination. Sure, it turns into a clichéd buddy flick, but with a twist—it's all shot in real time, a gimmick that heightens the suspense and guarantees audience involvement. Most of the film is devoted to a cat-and-mouse game of corrupt cops trying to stop a small-time criminal from testifying in a witness tampering case. The bad guys are the least interesting part of this puzzle, as we get to genuinely feel for both main characters and the defeated lives they are leading. Directed by Richard Donner (the Lethal Weapon flicks), we were fully prepared for an over-the-top cop movie. Instead, we get a low-key Willis, a deft Def, and some smart dialogue that lifts this street drama above the norm—and makes the trip across town worthwhile.

Check out our interview with 16 Blocks director Richard Donner.