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16 Blocks (2006) DVD Review
16 Blocks (2006) DVD Credits:
16 Blocks (2006) Directed by:
Richard Donner
16 Blocks (2006) Written by:
Richard Wenk
16 Blocks (2006) Cast:
Bruce Willis, Mos Def, David Morse
16 Blocks (2006) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
16 Blocks (2006) DVD Release Date:
12th June 2006
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16 Blocks (2006) Synopsis:

"16 Blocks" is a character-driven action thriller that stars Bruce Willis as Jack Mosley, a broken down NY detective assigned to escort a petty criminal (Mos Def) from the precinct to the courthouse. The seemingly simple 16 block journey becomes a test of character for them when Jack's ex-partners attempt to stop them. It's the story of how two men change each other during a tense 110-minute struggle between life and death.

16 Blocks (2006) DVD Review:

I’m usually skeptical of a PG-13 action film. I like my action films to be violent and gritty, something that usually gets left out of the bubble gum action blockbusters. 16 Blocks changed any misconceptions I may have had of PG-13 action films. Not only is it one of the best action films I have seen in years, but it is also one of my favorites from the first half of the year. It reminded me of the way that action movies were in the eighties and nineties. The buddy cop films were king and no one did them better than Richard Donner. Donner directs 16 Blocks with Bruce Willis in the best performance he has given in years along with sharp new talent Mos Def, who can also be seen in Dave Chappelle’s Block Party on DVD as well. 16 Blocks is a good old fashion action film the way they used to be, without computer generated effects. Just old fashion gunplay.

Bruce Willis is staggering as Jack Mosley, a cop unlike many that Willis has played. Jack Mosley is an old worn out cop. He makes the ritual stop at the donut box and Willis added an impressive amount of weight for this role. He seems to sweat even as he walks through the precinct, and this is how we are introduced to our hero for the rest of the film. It is a brilliant opening with some fantastic acting by Willis, who if nothing else has proven extremely dedicated to a performance.

Mosley is the detective assigned to transport a petty criminal (Mos Def) from the precinct to the courthouse, which is a 16-block distance apparently. Mos Def is amazingly talented in a strange role. He almost resembles a grown up Urkle in the film, but he manages to capture the laughter and the feeling of the audience with charm that flies under the radar. It is the most unconventionally good performance I have seen since Johnny Depp’s pirate performance.

The DVD gets a rough treatment, with only a few extras to look forward to. This was one of the best action films I have seen in years and there isn’t even a commentary track from buddy-film professional Richard Donner. There is a group of deleted scenes with commentary from him and the writer, Richard Wenk. There is also an alternate ending which is completely shocking, but also would never have worked in theaters. The ending that they had in theaters is the better one, mostly just because it stays true to the way a buddy action film is supposed to end.

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16 Blocks (2006) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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