The Unseen Movie Review: 16 Blocks

By Robert Dixter Mar 1, 2006, 17:25 GMT

"16 Blocks" is a mismatched buddy movie that tracks a a troubled NYPD officer who\'s forced to take a happy, but down-on-his-luck witness 16 blocks from the police station to 100 Centre Street, although no one wants the duo to make it. The film contrasts the two characters; one a cop with a heart attack waiting to happen and the other the witness he escorting, who is a 14-time loser with ...more

A job, a wife, a baby and no free time.  I haven’t seen the films but based on what I’ve heard and know, we’ll see if the movie is worth it.  It’s the UNSEEN MOVIE REVIEW.

Going to see a Bruce Willis movie is a lot like having a warm cup of cocoa or getting a backrub from your uncle.  It might not always be great but there’s something very reassuring about it. 

Bruce has shown up in so many films and always turns in a decent performance.  A few more years and he will become the new Gene Hackman.  The go to guy when you need quality to improve your ok script.  (That is not to say that Gene only does bad movies but he did show up in The Replacements).  Putting Bruce in your movie gives you instant credibility, the same way adding Vin Diesel makes Oscar voters turn off their free DVDs.  And his new film 16 Blocks looks pretty good.  It’s got a gimmicky plot but knowing Bruce will be playing the tired and worn cop that he does so well has me very interested in seeing the film.  Bruce fits that role the same way Jenny Lopez pours herself into a Dolce and Gabbana dress.

It’s also great to see Richard Donner return to the action genre after the craptastic Timeline.  Watch Lethal Weapon and tell me Dick doesn’t have the action beats down to a science.  His rhythm with action is as precise as Sho Kosugi with the sword.  He gave birth to the Lethal Weapon series and indirectly created a Mel Gibson superstar that fell over the edge and has doctors talking (check out the Apocalypto trailer).  It’s also nice to see people talking about Dick and his talent again, as opposed to his name simply being mentioned because Bryan Singer has a new Superman movie coming out soon.

So with 2 big positive points in its favor are there any drawbacks?  The other actor in the film is Mos Def.  Now Mos or Moosy as I like to call him has shown he can turn it up on screen in The Italian Job and Chappelle’s Show.  I just have a problem with rappers coming into Hollywood and trying the acting thing.  And again, in the case of Mos Def it is not really warranted but when I see Eminem, 50 Cent and LL Cool J stealing roles from legitimate actors I am reminded that movies are a business and less and less an art form.  Would any of these guys ever be able to headline a truly layered performance in an Oscar hopeful?  I don’t see LL’s name being thrown around as possibilities for Capote or Good Night and Good Luck.  Can you see DMX showing up as Raymond Babbitt?  It’s a good thing 16 Blocks already locked in Bruce to show the way.