16 Blocks
3.5 of 4 Stars
PG-13 for Violence and Some Language
Starring: David Zayas, David Sparrow, Bruce Willis, Dante 'Mos Def' Smith, David Morse
Directed by: Richard Donner
Produced by: George Furla, Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort
16 Blocks is based upon the classic Clint Eastwood movie, The Gauntlet, and actually does
a very good job with transferring the mode into the urban inner city. 16 Blocks is the latest
Richard Donner action movie starring Bruce Willis who plays the down and out cop who has
been given a simple task. Deliver the witness to the court house, 16 Blocks away. However,
this is not so simple with a plot is unfoiled, to kill the witness before he testifies before the
grand jury about witnessing corruption in the police force. Willis has 2 hours to deliver the
witness, and those 2 hours are the longest of his life.
Richard Donner who has directed some of the mega hits like Leather Weapon, Scrooged,
Free Willy and Superman, brings together not only a solid suspense and action movie but a
movie about redemption and relationship. Caught between a down and out drunk cop and a
complete loser thief, comes the understanding that people can change and there are
second chances. I really enjoyed the limited dialogue that Bruce Willis brings to the table, as
well as the solid comedic, yet heart felt performance of Mos Def. Unlike many action movies
that just bring bullets and babes, this movie replaces the babes a good solid plot.
As far as action movies go, this movie is first rate. I would say that 16 blocks fits in right
between Action and Suspense with a hint of conservatism. Yes, there are things that you
say, "Hummm, that was a bit unrealistic" but at the same time, it still sticks to reality for the
majority of the time. I was expecting most of the critics to hate the film, because they bomb
almost every single Bruce Willis movie he is in. Mostly because Hollywood hates action
movies and even more so, they have conservatives. This movie is directed by an arch
conservative and acted by one as well. Both Donner and Willis have been known in
Hollywood for their outwardly expressive conservative ideals and Willis even went to Iraq with
Bush to help motivate the troops. Needless to say, this did not go over too well with the Tim
Robbins and Alec Baldwins of the world. Nonetheless, this movie is getting decent reviews
and has a lot of going for it.
16 Blocks proves that you do not need to bring filth and trash to action movies in order for
them to be good. 16 Blocks promotes family values, redemption and forgiveness. The
movie is not filled with massive amount of F words and does not have any dirty jokes.
Personally it would have been nice to see some more blood and guts, but then again, I'm a
guy, what can I say. Hummmmm, are we sure Hollywood made this movie. I can recommend
this movie to anyone over the age of 10 and say that this is a great flick.
For those of you who watch the first 5 minutes and want to walk out, never fear, after 5
minutes, it jumps right into the plot. The movie is not as drab and dreary as you may think in
the beginning. The action picks up, the characters interact and the movie's pace is solid.
3.5 of 4 Stars
Warning to Parents: There was very little bad language and some violence. The movie was
too intense for kids but totally fine for teens. This movie actually had some very good
lessons to be learned about redemption and sacrifice, about friendship and about change. I
highly recommend this movie to anyone over 10.
3.5 of 4 Stars
PG-13 for Violence and Some Language
Starring: David Zayas, David Sparrow, Bruce Willis, Dante 'Mos Def' Smith, David Morse
Directed by: Richard Donner
Produced by: George Furla, Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort
16 Blocks is based upon the classic Clint Eastwood movie, The Gauntlet, and actually does
a very good job with transferring the mode into the urban inner city. 16 Blocks is the latest
Richard Donner action movie starring Bruce Willis who plays the down and out cop who has
been given a simple task. Deliver the witness to the court house, 16 Blocks away. However,
this is not so simple with a plot is unfoiled, to kill the witness before he testifies before the
grand jury about witnessing corruption in the police force. Willis has 2 hours to deliver the
witness, and those 2 hours are the longest of his life.
Richard Donner who has directed some of the mega hits like Leather Weapon, Scrooged,
Free Willy and Superman, brings together not only a solid suspense and action movie but a
movie about redemption and relationship. Caught between a down and out drunk cop and a
complete loser thief, comes the understanding that people can change and there are
second chances. I really enjoyed the limited dialogue that Bruce Willis brings to the table, as
well as the solid comedic, yet heart felt performance of Mos Def. Unlike many action movies
that just bring bullets and babes, this movie replaces the babes a good solid plot.
As far as action movies go, this movie is first rate. I would say that 16 blocks fits in right
between Action and Suspense with a hint of conservatism. Yes, there are things that you
say, "Hummm, that was a bit unrealistic" but at the same time, it still sticks to reality for the
majority of the time. I was expecting most of the critics to hate the film, because they bomb
almost every single Bruce Willis movie he is in. Mostly because Hollywood hates action
movies and even more so, they have conservatives. This movie is directed by an arch
conservative and acted by one as well. Both Donner and Willis have been known in
Hollywood for their outwardly expressive conservative ideals and Willis even went to Iraq with
Bush to help motivate the troops. Needless to say, this did not go over too well with the Tim
Robbins and Alec Baldwins of the world. Nonetheless, this movie is getting decent reviews
and has a lot of going for it.
16 Blocks proves that you do not need to bring filth and trash to action movies in order for
them to be good. 16 Blocks promotes family values, redemption and forgiveness. The
movie is not filled with massive amount of F words and does not have any dirty jokes.
Personally it would have been nice to see some more blood and guts, but then again, I'm a
guy, what can I say. Hummmmm, are we sure Hollywood made this movie. I can recommend
this movie to anyone over the age of 10 and say that this is a great flick.
For those of you who watch the first 5 minutes and want to walk out, never fear, after 5
minutes, it jumps right into the plot. The movie is not as drab and dreary as you may think in
the beginning. The action picks up, the characters interact and the movie's pace is solid.
3.5 of 4 Stars
Warning to Parents: There was very little bad language and some violence. The movie was
too intense for kids but totally fine for teens. This movie actually had some very good
lessons to be learned about redemption and sacrifice, about friendship and about change. I
highly recommend this movie to anyone over 10.
Christian Hot Spot