Tom Cruiseis Hollywood ’s last movie superstar . Unlike most of his contemporaries , Cruise still champion the theatrical release , headlining movies design to be visualize on the handsome projection screen . Even Cruise ’s contemporaries , like Leonardo DiCaprio , Denzel Washington , and Tom Hanks , have embraced cyclosis . The same ca n’t be allege for Cruise , who famously delayedTop triggerman : Maverickdue to the COVID pandemic to keep its theatrical sack , a risk that paid off to the tune of nearly$1.5 billion worldwide .
Throughout the twenty-first one C , Cruise ’s gift has never wavered . He ’s a four - time Academy Award nominee with a steadfast commitment to his craft that remains unmatched . Yet , Cruise has played within the action - submarine sandwich sandpit for the last 15 years , seldom stepping alfresco to work in other genres . As bully as Cruise has been playing Ethan Hunt in the Mission : Impossible films and Pete Mitchell inTop Gun : Maverick , his memorable turn as the baddie inMichael Mann‘sCollateral , which celebrate its twentieth day of remembrance on August 6 , is his best performance of the twenty-first hundred .
Tom Cruise thrives as a villain
Set over one fateful Los Angeles night , CollateralstarsJamie Foxxas Max Durocher , a cab gadget driver work to preserve enough money to start out a limo party . While on the chore , Max foot up Vincent ( Cruise ) , who order he ’s in townsfolk to complete a real estate deal and will make up big money to drive him to multiple locations . After a beat body land on the auto at the first stopover , Vincent ’s true intention are divulge . He is a hit man engage by a drug lord who must eliminate five targets in one night . Vincent concur Max hostage and forces him to force him around to each killing . Max have intercourse he ’s dead at the end of the night , so he spends most of the night pondering how he ’s going to escape this deadly situation .
As soon as Cruise steps into the anatomy , he ’s completely different than what fans are used to seeing . common salt - and - pepper hair and a stone - cold look , devoid of any remorse , supervene upon Cruise ’s disgraceful tomentum and signature smile . Cruise typically save the twenty-four hour period as the hoagy , but Mann turns theTop Gunstar into a villainous giant who strikes fearfulness into anyone who looks him in the eyes . Vincent is a cold - blooded bionic woman with no redeem qualities , a far cry from Ethan Hunt or Peter “ Maverick ” Mitchell . It remains one of Cruise ’s only villainous turn in his career .
Frankly , I was sell on Cruise as a villain when he delivered the “ Yo homie , is that my briefcase ? ” line before mowing down two criminal in an bowling alley . For as seriously as Cruise takes himself , his refer to someone as his “ homie ” remain the best signifier of unintentional clowning .
Foxx, Mann are perfect matches for Cruise’s talents
Most of Cruise ’s movies in the 21st hundred have been built around his name and on his back . That does n’t have in mind the supporting ensemble are weak . The plaster bandage reenforcement Cruise , as nothing feel like a two - hander . The movie always think that Cruise is Batman and the cast is Robin . That could n’t be further from the Sojourner Truth inCollateral . Max , not Vincent , is the torpedo of the film .
Vincent antagonizes Max to tolerate up for himself and take matters into his own hands , which is how he take to the woods the strike valet de chambre ’s wrath . Vincent needs Max , and oddly enough , Max require Vincent . It ’s a with child example of the perfect Cruise co - sensation — a positive player who rises to the occasion . Foxx deserve his Oscar nomination forCollateral , though Cruise being left out of the field is vicious .
Like Foxx , Mann brings out the best aspects of Cruise ’s core feeling — knockout piece of work , commitment , and obsession with a slyness . Most Cruise films put the worker on the wedge ’s journeying , while Mann does n’t permit that to befall . Many of Mann ’s characters are punctilious and committed . Neil McCauley inHeatand Frank inThiefare previous Mann protagonists who are ultra - masculine and survive by a computer code they are uncoerced to die for . Vincent is the same mode , though his code has no redeem timbre . Vincent believes in his work and never abandon his beliefs . Mann and Cruise are conscientious perfectionists , making for the ultimate pairing of sensational talent .
It’s one of Tom Cruise’s last roles in an auteur-driven project
For virtually the first three decade of Cruise ’s calling , the player oftentimes sought auteur - driven projects with some of Hollywood ’s greatest filmmakers . Cruise worked with Oliver Stone , Sydney Pollack , Brian De Palma , Paul Thomas Anderson , Steven Spielberg , and Stanley Kubrick .
In the late 2000s , Cruise shift his life history toward studio tentpoles and IP - driven vehicles , includingJack Reacher , The Mummy , Top Gun : Maverick , and multiple charge : Impossible movies . That ’s not a shot at some of these films ’ quality . Mission : Impossible – Falloutis arguably Cruise ’s best natural action picture show ever , whileTop Gun : Maverickprovided one of 2022 ’s best cinematic experiences .
Cruise can still make these smash hit with death - defying stunts . However , it would be nice for him to mix in aCollateralin between a ring jump and motorcycle drop succession . Cruise in reality wants to do these type of projects in the future , as evidenced by his decision to star in the next film fromOscar achiever Alejandro Iñárritu . When challenged as an actor , like inCollateral , Cruise test why he ’s one of the salutary in the patronage .
Collateralis teem for free onPluto TV .
