“16 Blocks” (Warner Brothers Pictures)
It’s Still Hard To Get Bruce To Die
Bruce Willis is back on the beat in the new film “16 Blocks.” This time he plays a worn out, heavy drinking, getting older cop who has seen better days. It may not be the rough and rugged character Willis played in the “Die Hard” films but it is still hard to make this character die, as his enemies learn.
Jack Mosely (Willis) is a seedy looking sight. He drinks on the job and is just waiting out his days to retire. One day he gets an assignment to escort a criminal sixteen blocks to the courthouse to testify in a case. It should be a simple task, but it isn’t.
On the way to the courthouse Jack learns someone wants to kill his passenger Eddie Bunker (Mos Def). He is further surprised when he learns it is some cops who want to do the deed, some cops who are not too clean. The main guy who is after Bunker is Frank Nugent (David Morse), Jack’s old partner.
The sixteen block distance gets further and further as Jack tries to outrun the cops and protect Eddie. The bond between the two men grows and Jack learns there is life left in him yet. Now he is a man with a purpose, and for a short while at least he has a reason to stay alive.
The pace of the film never lets up as Jack and Eddie go from one tense situation to another. Willis makes Jack believable as he undergoes the transformation from washed out cop to man with a mission. This is a solid role for Willis and one he seems to relish playing.
Mos Def is also good as Eddie. The character seems to talk non-stop and this gets annoying, but it is supposed to have that effect. Later when he gets more serious you realize he has completely grown on you.
The plusses for the film are the acting and the action. The plot never lags and the suspense is with you from start to finish. There are also enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The one negative is the lack of depth in the plot. The information given as to why Jack is so burned out is muddled. Hints are offered but no definitive explanation. The same is true for Eddie. Is he a hardened criminal or is he a guy who got a few bad breaks The answers are there but they aren’t clear. A lot of what happens and why has to be taken on pure faith in the characters.
The film is rated PG-13 for violence and profanity.
“16 Blocks” is a clever, action filled movie that utilizes the skills of its actors. If the plot had had more depth it could have been a potentially classic film in the manner of “Die Hard.” As is, it is a competent adventure that passes two hours pleasurably.
I scored “16 Blocks” an urban 6 out of 10.
