Posted: 03/06/2006

16 Blocks

(2006)

by Tony Liccardello

When the plot is as straightforward as ‘16 Blocks’, then it is all about execution.
And for 85 minutes, this film is as good as any example on what a superb action thriller can be. Unfortunately, the film is 105 minutes.

The story begins with Jack Mosley (Bruce Willis) talking into a tape recorder on an empty bus, giving us his will. He is a tired, weathered, beat up NYPD cop. He has a bum knee. He walks with a limp. His main concern is getting a drink. He keeps a stash in his desk at work, for when he’s not boozing it up off the job. He’s old and out of shape and his biggest concern is when he can punch out. The film is a story that advances up to that opening image.

When Jack’s Lieutenant asks him to escort a prisoner uptown, he politely refuses.

But after much badgering, Jack begrudgingly accepts, knowing that it will delay his appointment to the liquor store. After venturing to where the transport is kept, he meets Eddie Bunker (Mos Def). He learns he must escort Eddie to 100 Centre Street, which is 16 blocks from the police station.

Eddie has a unique voice with an eternally optimistic sound. They make it less than two blocks from the police station before Jack stops to keep his appointment with the liquor store. After a failed assassination attempt on Eddie’s life, Jack and Eddie scramble through the streets of New York on foot, in a desperate attempt to get away. Jack quickly learns that Eddie is a key eye witness that will put away a half dozen New York cops with his testimony, and there are a group of people that will do whatever it takes to make sure Eddie does not make it. The catch is, Eddie must reach 100 Centre street to give his testimony to a grand jury by 10 AM. By doing so, Eddie receives full immunity from previous crimes.

Richard Donner (Lethal Weapon quadrilogy, Conspiracy Theory, Superman) is a veteran at directing action, and it is clear he knows what he is doing. . The film wastes no time, and after a quick 15 minute exposition, the action ensues. It is totally chaotic, as Jack and Eddie run through the streets of New York with civilians running and screaming for cover. There really isn’t any time during these action sequences where you can sit back and relax. The pacing is as effective as any ‘24’ episode I’ve seen as the film uses the ticking time bomb motive to get their characters to a place by a certain time. Jack and Eddie have to survive an arsenal of crooked cops. New York City is a densely populated place, and the film takes advantage of that. It maintains a gritty and realistic feel. There are no superhuman jumps from building to building or marksman like shoot outs. They do a great job at quickly establishing who Jack and Eddie are. As an audience member you want to will them to their destination. The dark past of Jack adds to the mystery on why exactly is he helping a total stranger and risking his life to help him testify? The script is filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing. It is not the type of film where you know how it will end from the start. The action scenes are slick and well choreographed. The film builds up to a critical point extremely well, injecting layers of information right where you need them. This prevents the film from becoming too predictable and giving it a genuinely suspenseful feeling. The story comes full circle to the opening scene where you see Jack alone on a bus, speaking into a tape recorder.

The acting is excellent, although Willis does have some cliché Willis moments. He is totally believable as a weathered cop, and the limitations that his character has make the story interesting. He is slow, gets tired easily, which makes it an issue throughout the film on staying out of sight from the many eyes that are employed to catch them. They have to outrun and outwit them. Mos Def is excellent and is really establishing himself as an actor. The way that Eddie talks is unique and funny, and the optimistic soul that shines within him is easily seen. Eddie makes it clear from the get go, he has to be there by 10 AM, a man who likes to stick to his plans. The two make an excellent pairing because of how different they are. Jack has done some horrible things in his life that he isn’t proud of, and really has nothing to look forward to. He has no wife or kids, and tells Eddie he thinks “Life is too long”. Eddie on the other hand, has been in and out of jail for a good portion of his life, but is excited to turn it around. He is a talented cook, specializing in cakes. His dream is to one day open a bakery with his sister. They possess great chemistry together and are an important part of what makes this film work.

I’ve done my best to avoid spoilers and give away too much of the plot. Unfortunately, the film does not end at the 85 minute mark, and it does take an unexpected turn I didn’t care for. Regardless, the film is a decent action flick that could have been great. If you like Bruce Willis or action in general, it is worth checking out. If you are a poor college student, it is worth sneaking into. I can’t comment on the rest without giving away spoilers, so for those who would like to see the film without knowing the ending, I would stop reading. Come back after you’ve seen the film and read what is below.

Grade: 3 out of 5

*Spoilers Ahead* If you haven’t seen this film, this is where I would stop, because major spoilers are ahead.

The last twenty minutes of this film take an unexpected turn, but for the worse. Sure it is unexpected, but it twists and turns its way into the Hollywood cliché happy ending of

“I had a tape recorder in my pocket “. While there is obviously more to it than that, the story should have remained on that bus, but it doesn’t. Why does Eddie come back to Jack after he successfully escapes? Jack’s plan works by emptying the hostages on the bus at the same time and disguising Eddie in another man’s outfit. But the story just dwindles towards the Hollywood cliché ending that leaves a bad taste in your mouth at the end of the film. How is Jack free after testifying himself and did he get immunity? I didn’t care for the climax at all, it was way to by the numbers and definitely a disappointment compared to the rest of the movie. If it would have ended differently, it easily could have gotten a 4 star or higher rating.

Tony Liccardello is a critic based in the Midwest.

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