A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: 16 Blocks

Date Viewed: 3/19/06

Details:

Bruce Willis (Jack Mosley)

Mos Def (Eddie Bunker)

David Morse (Frank Nugent)

Director: Richard Donner

Score: 1/2

The Review: It seems like a simple job: escort a prisoner less than a mile from his current detention cell so that he can testify in a grand jury inquest. Just 16 Blocks. So simple that even perpetually dysfunctional and often drunk beat-cop Jack Mosley (Willis) is assigned the task as an overtime perq. The problem is that the witness (Def) will testify to police corruption, and those who might be implicated would prefer he not survive the trek. Several curious twists and turns.

Not bad for a standard police procedural crossed with a bit of action, a few thrills, and a puzzle so subtle you'll never realize it exists until it's resolved. Much better than expectations, in large part due to Donner's direction, in small part to Willis.

(9-Apr-06)

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