Collateral (2004)

Collateral is a crime thriller starring the gorgeous Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. And directed by Michael Mann and written by Stuart Beattie.

Mann introduced this as his first feature film which was shot using the new technology of high-definition cameras. The use of digital cameras made it quicker and easier to edit, which meant making films using digital cameras was more efficient.

The trailer introduces the thriller in a peculiar way; a love song plays at the beginning when the main character is with his potential love interest. The lighting dark, creating a mysterious atmosphere which lures us in to prepare for the action coming up next. It was as if the original agenda for the film was to be romance, however the scene is cut and "but plans change," appears on the screen.  Someone enters his cab, who happens not to be his love interest; this creates an uneasy tension right from the moment he enters as the music changes into a dark, sinister and eerie tone. The tone picks up its pace as the man Vincent, tells Max he needs to a make a couple of stops. Immediately, we see a body smash unto his cab and we sense danger. Vincent pulls out a gun which startles Max as well as the audience. The scene switches back where Vincent is in the cab, continuing being driven by Max which makes the viewer wonder why Max did not just run away. Furthermore, more shots are shown but with shorter timing, making the shots much shorter and faster paced. The shots being shown are gun shots, running, chasing, more gun shots, a hospital area and life risking actions. 

Mann famously chose to use the Vioer Film Stream High-definition Camera to film numerous secs ends that appeared in the film of Collateral. It was the first use in a major motion picture. If you look closely you may be able to recognize were the digital camera was used; in particular the scenes where the beautiful Los Angeles skyline or landscape is evidently visible in the background.

The filming of the Coyote running across the road contains the low light, which allows Mann to spontaneously film the fix without having the hassle to set up lighting for that particular shot. Later, Mann employed the same camera for his other famous movie of Miami Vice.

A fascinating sequence is the Korean nightclub scene (shot in 35mm). 

DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures co produced the film. The former studio handled North American rights, while The latter held international rights. Paramount acquired the US/Canadian rights on the purchase of DreamWorks in 2006. The film was released in Blu-Ray by Paramount on March 30th, 2010. This happened to be the first Region 1 video release they distributed. Previously, Universal Studios were the company distributing them.

DreamWorks development books were say in for three years by Collateral. Initially, Mimi leader was attached to direct then passed on to Janusz Kamiński. The project wasn't generally starting any heart until Russell Crowe became interested in playing the part of Vincent. Michael Mann brought on board Crowe, however there was constant delays which lead to Crowe leaving the project. Tom Cruise was then immediately was contacted by Mann, Cruise adapted the idea of him playing the hit man and Adam Sandler as the cabbie. Robert De Niro was the actor Beattie wanted to cast as Max (the exact opposite of Travis Bickle, making him a taxi driver). Unfortunately. the studio refused and emphasized how they wanted a younger actor to play the role.

The film successfully opened in the year of 2004, August 6th. It was opened in 3,188 theaters in the United States and Canada; it grossed $24.7 million in just its opening weakened and was number 1 at the box office. 14 weeks it remained in theaters and grossed $101, 005, 703 in the United States and Canada. It also grossed in other countries, with a total of £116, 758, 588 and worldwide, $217, 764, 291.

Scenes from Collateral 

"Collateral Briefcase."

Max's hands are tied up in the car by Vincent, to make sure he does not attempt to escape. He grows increasingly anxious and determined to escape. He sees no option but to cry for help as he sees a group of males, hoping they will respond. Max feels relieved that a young male with long hair seems to appear innocent and willing to find out what is wrong. But that is only for a few seconds; for those few seconds the audience feel relieved also, until he reaches out for a gun and starts to act extremely aggressive. He is the dominant character of the moment. Tension rises back up again because not only is Max's life in danger because he's in the hands of Vincent, but Vincent is absent and his life is still in danger. At this point the audience knows the young male is some sort of thief as he takes Max's wallet and reaches out to steal Vincent's briefcase. He begins to walk away with the briefcase proudly, until Vincent appears he walks towards him, thinking he is dominant until he is shot. The dominance is rewarded back to Vincent as he retrieves his briefcase. The area is quiet, and isolated so that no bystanders are present to witness. The absence of music allows the audience to really feel the fear that Max feels, as if they are actually right there with him.

"Pulled Over."

The windshield of the cab Max drives is smashed and he is stopped by the police. There is a glimmer of hope that Max might be able to seek for help and escape. He asks for license and registration to ensure that he is an actual cab driver. Max begins to feel rather uneasy. He has to try to figure out what might happen next; his mind is confused on what to expect and how to respond as carefully as he can to avoid trouble with both the police and of course, Vincent. As soon as the police mentions blood on the cab, we as the audience begin to worry for Max for he is the innocent one having to ask questions. He responds by mentioning he hit a dear but the police are not buying his story, therefore asking him and the passenger to step out the vehicle and mentions opening the boot. They both eventually step out the car, Vincent holding a gun incase he senses a threat, but the police have another investigation so they inform Max to go "straight to the garage." When the police leave, they go back into the cab together; shattering the hope that the audience had that Max might be able to escape and pursue freedom from Vincent's company.

"Vincent's New Friend"

Flowers are given to Max's mother and she is aware of Max's financial state so she acts slightly bitter towards the gift, until she finds out that it wasn't from Max, but Vincent. She acts kindly towards Vincent, and acts somewhat kindly back. The audience's anxiousness rises as we are not entirely sure what Vincent's intentions are, especially with the sickly mother of who he holds captive. Max's mother says "you have to hold a gun to his head to make him do anything," which immediately increass tension as he gives Max a smirk. He surprisingly tells Max's mother that he is a friend, but friends do not hold one another captive and put them into serious danger. It is quite ironic because Max would not particularly consider him a friend. This makes the audience wonder why he chose the term "friend" of all terms he could've potentially used. Max becomes increasingly agitated because his mother may be in danger, as well as Vincent's intentions are not exactly clear.