A Parkes/MacDonald Production, 2004. A Paramount Pictures Release. Directed by Michael Mann. Written by Stuart Beattie. Starring Tom Cruise, Jaime Foxx and Jada Pinkett Smith.

     By Stephen Pytak 

     This is a great thrill ride which will appeal
to your intellect.
     What's most fascinating is Tom Cruise's
mercenary character "Vincent." He's a cold
murder machine executing a job on a long
cab ride, and he's running the meter.
     I think what I kept looking for first time
out were little explanations about this guy.
I wanted to know why he was what he was.
     You never really get an explanation in 
words. Instead, it kind of reaveals itself in 
glances and little fleeting images. 
     We see a coyote crossing the road, his
eyes on fire because of the cab lights.
     A few minutes later, we see Cruise in the 
back seat of the cab, and his eyes are on fire
 too. They're not glowing the same way. But 
they're wide and crazed, like a predator's.
     It's with images like this that Mann tells
his story. And the film really has a lot going 
for it if you give it a chance.
     It is the best mercenary flick I've seen in 
a long time. In fact, right now, I can't 
remember one better.
     It's honest. And it doesn't pull punches 
or linger. Neither would a killer on a shift
like Vincent's.
     I also have to give it up for Jamie Foxx.
I kind of start feeling like "Max" during the
movie. 
     He learned things about his riders just 
by listening to what they said, and watching
what they did. And I was glued to the 
screen, connecting with these characters.
     I really enjoyed Michael Mann's
"Manhunter (1986)" and I should make it
a point to see more of his films. I always 
wanted to borrow "Thief (1981)" from 
my brother. 
     You can bet I'll be buying this one on 
DVD.