Very thorough analysis! I'm so glad you pointed out the bullet holes on the train as a metaphor for the difference in the two characters . I never even noticed the tight shot group that Vincent maintained on the train shootout. But as you pointed out, that's why he lost to the untrained erratic counter fire from Max. Sometimes routine can be your downfall
Collateral is one of my #1 favorite movies. It is SO good. I think it is Tom Cruise's best performance ever. Jamie Fox was superb. I give a lot of credit to the director too... I think he was the perfect director for this script, and somehow gave the actors all that they needed to create top tier performances. So much of what they managed to convey was unspoken, translated without cheap, easy words. Pure acting. It was brilliant. I own, and love the DVD. Thank you for spotlighting this show.
At times I too think this is Cruise's best performance. I think the only one that could match it is his role in Magnolia. Thanks a lot for the comment! Always happy to see some love for Collateral.
Good work! I love "Collateral". It's a perfect movie. Mann understands the psyche of the worker, the professional, the detached & alienated Neoliberal contractor. Good luck with the channel.
9:59 OMG. I've seen this 10 times, and that scene always drove me crazy. It always stopped me from giving it a 10/10 because I couldn't believe how a professional missed his mark. Thank you so much! ❤
we see vincent struggling with some glimmer of his humanity as he fights back tears after taking out the jazz club owner (or perhaps we're seeing him mourn the last bit of it he had). by the time he's able to teleport from the back of the nightclub to ahead of fanning and max already outside, he's gone. i love how defeated max drives off at that point, veering carelessly into nearby parked vehicles before telling vince to eff off
He didn't teleport, funny as it may seem....all night clubs in LA (and in NYC) have a second exit the leads from the kitchen (usually downstairs) to the outside. Next time you're at a bar or club, pay attention outside, to the exits to rear of the location.
@@vandalg282 im too old for that lol, but youve made a plausible case for how he got there so fast, wish we just saw a quick shot of it to establish it since mann is a stickler for the details and vincent is a character who would know that sort of thing
Amazing analysis. I recently rewatched Collateral, the representation of the city as an empty indifferent husk is amazing. LA, the city that is usually represented as a hot pavement desert is now a cold and unforgiving lonely place. I love it.
I've seen this film so many times since my youth, had it on dvd and loved it ever since. The cinematography is excellent, Vincent is simply chilling, the ambience is unbelievable and the gunshots sound so orgasmic, best gunshots ever in cinema! The "YO HOMIE!" line is also iconic.
Awesome review - I feel you missed the film’s connection to The Driver by Walter Hill? Ryan O’Neal’s best role… Cruise isn’t the driver like O’Neal but echoes the sentiments of the lead character… lots of night driving scenes in LA and some epic car chases too… also some similarities to William Peterson in TL&DinLA… Cruise kinda dyes his hair grey and has a similar look and, again, same dangerous personality as Richard Chance… well just my 2c… love your reviews many thanks
Rewatched this movie for the first time since it came out, I remembering that I really didn't like it back then. Fast forward 20 years and I know more about everything from cameras, weapons, shooting, drills etc (I'm a lousy shot) also I'm way older. This movie wasn't made for 20s something but more for 40s something. It was a completely different viewing and now I want to watch it again, which I will and hopefully it will not take 20 more years.
Great video. Made me want to watch a movie I past on. Miami vice is awesome movie and the TV show. Training day of course is a banger a goat one of the best. Heat 🔥 obviously 🔥.
First off great video and analysis! I’m not sure what any of these negative comments are on about. I have seen movie review videos that are WAY longer than 17 minutes with way less interesting and poignant details and information. Keep up the good work, definitely one of the better movie review videos I’ve seen on here… enough so that it compelled me to comment.
Michael Mann's work has always been high-quality, high concept, high stakes, and just plain awesome. I appreciate it when directors, actors, and writers all have enough collective intelligence to truly create a film which stands the biggest test of them all. "Time is the only resource for which no creature may bargain..." --DD1 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨ "Before I start, I must see my end. Destination known, my mind's journey now begins. Upon my chariot, heart and soul's fate revealed. In time, all points converge; hope's strength resteeled. But to earn final peace at the Universe's endless refrain, we must see all in nothingness... before we start again." 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨ -- Diamond Dragons (series)
I really liked the movie since the first time I watched it and since then I watched it at least half a dozen times. This was a really compelling analysis of it that I maybe somewhat noticed underneath the plot and events but never really gave it form. Inspiring. I always noticed some similarities between Max and me and your analysis made me ponder over them again. I may have to watch the movie again very soon. thanks for this! P.S. Glory to the algorithm, it showed me this amazing gem. Hope it does great things for you.
It’s crazy to me that this movie is barely getting a lot of social media coverage. It’s been one of my favorite movies since I was a child (yes I know I should not have watched a movie like this as a kid lmao). But Tom Cruise’s portrayal as Vincent is so on point. He’s such an excellent antagonist. Wish he would get more villain roles.
Miami Vice I think it’s a classic Black hat, had to watch twice to really get in to it, now I think it’s a great film. But Collateral, man this film is soooo underrated
I don’t care what anyone says MIAMI VICE movie was pretty good Drama, romance, adventure and beautiful scenery ❤❤❤❤all of Michael Mann’s films are a must watch.they are all classics
Great analysis homie. Michael Mann is one of the GOATs, especially when it comes to capture a nighttime cityscape. I’m sure you’ve already seen them, but Nightcrawler and Drive fit right in with many of the themes and technical splendor here.
I have and I do mention Drive later on in the video! And for sure, both are stunning. Drive has a lot of Michael Mann vibe filtered through the eyes of a Danish weirdo and I love it.
@@todaysdystopia283 Refn goes even weirder with his magnum opus show, Too Old to Die Young. Dips into the realm of Lynch even, but with a hyper vibrant aesthetic.
When you talk about how awesome the movie looks around 3:00, I had to think of "Nightcrawler" (2014) with Jake Gyllenhaal. It plays mostly at night in L.A.and the city looks just amazing in this picture! Also, Gyllenhaal plays a completely immoral character yet you understand and even root for him at times.
Nightcrawler is haunting and beautiful. Gyllenhaal is one of those actors that deserves a movie every once in a while that just lets him go wild and do whatever he wants.
I agree, it's a very masculine movie made for men, which probably only men can appreciate. I remember taking a date to this movie and she got bored and wanted to leave while I was totally transfixed.
Hey, thanks a lot for the comment and the interest! As of right now I won't be able to collab, but I'll be sure to check back on your proposal. Also, you just got a new sub! 😉
This is a rock-solid essay. Loved it. I consider Collateral to be Mann's best film, inasmuch as such subjective judgements apply. It's certainly my favorite. I love its simplicity, that with all its ups and downs, it's a nuanced philosophical debate between two people. I love how you broke down Vincent's shooting technique, identifying it as a manifestation of his identity and world-view. A huge part of his nihilism includes the idea that he sees his actions as inevitable. He doesn't really believe in free will. He sees the cosmos as a meaningless sequence of reactions, beginning with the big bang, ending in pure, meaningless entropy. So of course, he follows his training every time he pulls the trigger. While Max introduces the chaos of personal choice, of going against nature, instinct, and common sense, and in doing so, taking an action Vincent couldn't possibly have predicted, can't account for, and ultimately, can't defend against. The final shootout also reminds me of a scene in No Country For Old Men, when Sheriff Bell tells the story about the steer, who in its struggles, managed to deflect a bullet back into the head of the man trying to slaughter it. "Even in the contest between man and steer, the outcome isn't certain." That phrase hovers over the entire story. Everyone thinks they can control the chaos. And then life just kinda throws random stuff at them. I think Tom Cruise's character has a lot in common with Anton Chigurh, philosophically. Both think of themselves as inevitable forces of fate, no more in control of their own choices than the bullets in their guns. Yet both are certain they know what will happen next, and both are blindsided by the end of their stories, Chigurh by a random car, and Max by a random cab driver, who suddenly decided to transform into something no one could have predicted. And hey, maybe Max's transformation was fate too. After all, the stories in films tend to follow a structure, forcing the protagonist into a series of events that ultimately give them no choice but to transform. But I think, in every story, there's always a choice to be made. I think that's the difference between triumphs and tragedies, what the characters choose. A protagonist who makes no choices is no protagonist at all.
Hey, thanks a lot for your very detailed comment! ❤️ The No Country comparison is super interesting and something I never thought about. The best noir protagonists are vessels to some deeply complex ideas.
@@todaysdystopia283 I completely agree. I'm reluctant to say "this character is a representation of this idea," because of course, characters are also, ya know, characters. Whatever else he is, Vincent is a person, with a background, and an in-story reason to be the way he is. The fact of this fully fleshed out character also standing for this philosophy just speaks to the way stories work, and the way human minds work.
I thought the same 1:27, except Washington's character is more interesting/entertaining than a nihilistic, stoic that also suffers from Cruise's limited range. What I've noticed about Mann films is that they're remembered for their technical achievement rather than compelling narrative or performances
This is probably the first time I hear this perspective, because Mann's technical prowess is often coupled with some very solid performances, (Cruise/Foxx, DeNiro/Pacino, Caan, etc). In my opinion, of course! But Denzel Washington's performance is for sure one for the books. Thanks for the comment!
@@todaysdystopia283 That's certainly fair, it should be noted that Tom Cruise trained for the role with live ammunition 10 years before Keanu Reeves. I dig your channel and gave it a subscription, am wishing you a thousand before the year's over! See you next video~
Your script has WAY too much fat. Video should be half as long. Straight up. Very common issue. About half of what you say is not needed and adds nothing.
I agree I was trying to be generous and thinking maybe the cinematography elaboration and comparison to the previous body of work is an intention of being for a cinephile niche audience but upon reflection I think it is newbie growing pains and your take is something that is going to help the channel moving forward. The butchery is lacking, but admire that sear those grill marks it makes a viewer want to cut into it.
No slurs in my channel. I appreciate civil discussions and disagreements, but I will not allow this kind of language here. The audience I'm building will not be an audience that communicates this way. I'd appreciate it if everyone else honored this request.
Spot on with the Training Day comparison. I always wanted to see Alonzo and Vincent cross paths.
Watched this again yesterday, this film has aged so well the cinematography and atmosphere is amazing. Cruise and Fox nailed their roles so well.
Hands down best Cruise movie out there! The realness, grittiness, the Dolby vision copy is the Best!
Cruise in his most natural state..
You ain't got a clue. I'd encourage you to look at _'All The Right Moves'_ before say something else foolish.
Very thorough analysis! I'm so glad you pointed out the bullet holes on the train as a metaphor for the difference in the two characters . I never even noticed the tight shot group that Vincent maintained on the train shootout. But as you pointed out, that's why he lost to the untrained erratic counter fire from Max. Sometimes routine can be your downfall
Never noticed the bullet holes before! Great analysis!
Wtf how do you only have 111 subscribers?? This video essay is phenomenal
Thanks a lot! The channel is pretty new and I'm only now updating it consistently, so I truly appreciate the support!
didn't even notice til I saw this comment. 283 subs at this moment. for damn shame. about to be 284. and the 666th like 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤦🏻♂🤦🏻♂ irony and numbers
Definitely one of my favorite films
Love this movie, Tom Cruise is amazing and as an LA native I hate it and its gotten so much worse since covid.
Collateral is one of my #1 favorite movies. It is SO good. I think it is Tom Cruise's best performance ever. Jamie Fox was superb. I give a lot of credit to the director too... I think he was the perfect director for this script, and somehow gave the actors all that they needed to create top tier performances. So much of what they managed to convey was unspoken, translated without cheap, easy words. Pure acting. It was brilliant. I own, and love the DVD.
Thank you for spotlighting this show.
At times I too think this is Cruise's best performance. I think the only one that could match it is his role in Magnolia.
Thanks a lot for the comment! Always happy to see some love for Collateral.
Good work! I love "Collateral". It's a perfect movie.
Mann understands the psyche of the worker, the professional, the detached & alienated Neoliberal contractor.
Good luck with the channel.
Collateral really moved me. An intense, smouldering, deep movie with two titanic performances. I need to watch it again soon!
I love Collateral. It's my favourite Michael Mann movie.
Miami vice is so underrated! Even the soundtrack is peak!
Cruise reminds me of a shar k in this great movie ...Always moving.Sleek deadly and cold ...Awesome performance 😊
I felt you did a great job! I was energized and entertained by your analysis and thoughts on this film! Good stuff!
Thanks a lot - I truly appreciate your comment!
Great essay, great montage and editing. May the algorithm gods shine over your channel.
Love this video and length of the breakdown. Constructive criticism and difference of opinion is just that, it isn’t gospel. Keep it up 👌🏾
9:59 OMG. I've seen this 10 times, and that scene always drove me crazy. It always stopped me from giving it a 10/10 because I couldn't believe how a professional missed his mark. Thank you so much! ❤
we see vincent struggling with some glimmer of his humanity as he fights back tears after taking out the jazz club owner (or perhaps we're seeing him mourn the last bit of it he had). by the time he's able to teleport from the back of the nightclub to ahead of fanning and max already outside, he's gone. i love how defeated max drives off at that point, veering carelessly into nearby parked vehicles before telling vince to eff off
He didn't teleport, funny as it may seem....all night clubs in LA (and in NYC) have a second exit the leads from the kitchen (usually downstairs) to the outside. Next time you're at a bar or club, pay attention outside, to the exits to rear of the location.
@@vandalg282 im too old for that lol, but youve made a plausible case for how he got there so fast, wish we just saw a quick shot of it to establish it since mann is a stickler for the details and vincent is a character who would know that sort of thing
I freaked out when you played Neotokyo OST
I love this movie, thank you for this 😊
Mann, man...Mann's the man.
Funny how as the years pass , collateral keeps getting better.
Banger video and analysis
Great vid! Hope the algorithm blesses you.
Thank you! And so do I, mate, so do I...
@@todaysdystopia283 Just came through the algorithm and glad to see videos about a movie that feels like no one talks about
I remember first seeing this on pirate. Amazing movie.
Great video! I love this movie!
Amazing analysis. I recently rewatched Collateral, the representation of the city as an empty indifferent husk is amazing. LA, the city that is usually represented as a hot pavement desert is now a cold and unforgiving lonely place. I love it.
I've seen this film so many times since my youth, had it on dvd and loved it ever since.
The cinematography is excellent, Vincent is simply chilling, the ambience is unbelievable and the gunshots sound so orgasmic, best gunshots ever in cinema!
The "YO HOMIE!" line is also iconic.
Awesome review - I feel you missed the film’s connection to The Driver by Walter Hill? Ryan O’Neal’s best role… Cruise isn’t the driver like O’Neal but echoes the sentiments of the lead character… lots of night driving scenes in LA and some epic car chases too… also some similarities to William Peterson in TL&DinLA… Cruise kinda dyes his hair grey and has a similar look and, again, same dangerous personality as Richard Chance… well just my 2c… love your reviews many thanks
I like Miami Vice (2006) also bud. you're not alone. Colin Farrell is a treasure
Love this movie. Great video. Look forward to more.
Fantastic video!
Rewatched this movie for the first time since it came out, I remembering that I really didn't like it back then. Fast forward 20 years and I know more about everything from cameras, weapons, shooting, drills etc (I'm a lousy shot) also I'm way older. This movie wasn't made for 20s something but more for 40s something. It was a completely different viewing and now I want to watch it again, which I will and hopefully it will not take 20 more years.
Practice makes perfect.
Can confirm LA does look like this at night.
Miami Vice has gotten its flowers in recent years, it’s not perfect but still a good movie
Absolutety excellent video.
Great video. Made me want to watch a movie I past on. Miami vice is awesome movie and the TV show. Training day of course is a banger a goat one of the best. Heat 🔥 obviously 🔥.
bro, you need to watch this flick!
First off great video and analysis! I’m not sure what any of these negative comments are on about. I have seen movie review videos that are WAY longer than 17 minutes with way less interesting and poignant details and information. Keep up the good work, definitely one of the better movie review videos I’ve seen on here… enough so that it compelled me to comment.
Michael Mann's work has always been high-quality, high concept, high stakes, and just plain awesome. I appreciate it when directors, actors, and writers all have enough collective intelligence to truly create a film which stands the biggest test of them all.
"Time is the only resource for which no creature may bargain..." --DD1
🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨
"Before I start, I must see my end. Destination known, my mind's journey now begins. Upon my chariot, heart and soul's fate revealed. In time, all points converge; hope's strength resteeled. But to earn final peace at the Universe's endless refrain, we must see all in nothingness... before we start again."
🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨
-- Diamond Dragons (series)
I loved the movie from the first time I watched it when it came out, not enough people appreciate it!
I really liked the movie since the first time I watched it and since then I watched it at least half a dozen times. This was a really compelling analysis of it that I maybe somewhat noticed underneath the plot and events but never really gave it form. Inspiring. I always noticed some similarities between Max and me and your analysis made me ponder over them again.
I may have to watch the movie again very soon. thanks for this!
P.S. Glory to the algorithm, it showed me this amazing gem. Hope it does great things for you.
Thank you! Max is a wonderful character and Jamie Foxx played him with such nuance.
I live in LA. Michael Mann is the best at depicting LA. It really does look like this in real life.
It’s crazy to me that this movie is barely getting a lot of social media coverage. It’s been one of my favorite movies since I was a child (yes I know I should not have watched a movie like this as a kid lmao). But Tom Cruise’s portrayal as Vincent is so on point. He’s such an excellent antagonist. Wish he would get more villain roles.
Miami Vice I think it’s a classic
Black hat, had to watch twice to really get in to it, now I think it’s a great film.
But Collateral, man this film is soooo underrated
I don’t care what anyone says MIAMI VICE movie was pretty good Drama, romance, adventure and beautiful scenery ❤❤❤❤all of Michael Mann’s films are a must watch.they are all classics
Comment just for the algorithm. I'm not in the mood to add some of many things i can say.
Anyway, you got a new subscriber. Great work.
When Tom trips over a chair he threw into a window.
That NeoTokyo music matches perfectly
Right?!
Great analysis homie. Michael Mann is one of the GOATs, especially when it comes to capture a nighttime cityscape. I’m sure you’ve already seen them, but Nightcrawler and Drive fit right in with many of the themes and technical splendor here.
I have and I do mention Drive later on in the video! And for sure, both are stunning. Drive has a lot of Michael Mann vibe filtered through the eyes of a Danish weirdo and I love it.
@@todaysdystopia283 Refn goes even weirder with his magnum opus show, Too Old to Die Young. Dips into the realm of Lynch even, but with a hyper vibrant aesthetic.
I gotta check this out
brilliant video
Thank you!
I think the Video should be twice as long and include more Mann clips. 😎👍
I would love to see this movie in BW and graded more noir. Can always hope.
I can‘t decide if this is my facourite by Mann or HEAT… but I CAN decide to leave a sub. 😎
Hey, I may be biased, but deciding to leave a sub does sound easier than choosing a favorite Mann film 👀 thanks a lot!
Collateral is indelible in my mind. I totally forgot what Training Day is all about.
Thumbs up for NEOTOKYO OST.
When you talk about how awesome the movie looks around 3:00, I had to think of "Nightcrawler" (2014) with Jake Gyllenhaal. It plays mostly at night in L.A.and the city looks just amazing in this picture! Also, Gyllenhaal plays a completely immoral character yet you understand and even root for him at times.
Nightcrawler is haunting and beautiful. Gyllenhaal is one of those actors that deserves a movie every once in a while that just lets him go wild and do whatever he wants.
@@todaysdystopia283
Yes, absolutely. I loved him in "Source Code".
Only bad thing about collateral (and life in general) is Jada... I truly hate her.
if it ain't like michael mann Imma call bullshit hahaha I love it
i REFUSE to wear a suit that isnt grey.
i saw eva.
I remember seeing a _Diehard_ retrospective that also featured NGE, it all returns to _Eva!_
every day I pray to Michael Mann
I agree, it's a very masculine movie made for men, which probably only men can appreciate. I remember taking a date to this movie and she got bored and wanted to leave while I was totally transfixed.
and they both happens in L.A.
This is really strong work. If you'd ever consider making the odd guest video for another channel (paid), looks us up.
Hey, thanks a lot for the comment and the interest! As of right now I won't be able to collab, but I'll be sure to check back on your proposal. Also, you just got a new sub! 😉
There is no que in Mozambique
Excellent essay dude! Your top films are like you copied mine.. How dare you lol.
Subbed!
Aha you got me! Thanks for the sub, mate!
Круто.
Great video. Only one thing, you're mispronouncing Mozambique. I look forward to seeing more from you.
I appreciate the heads-up! Portuguese is my first language so that's where the mistake came from. Thanks a lot!
This is a rock-solid essay. Loved it.
I consider Collateral to be Mann's best film, inasmuch as such subjective judgements apply. It's certainly my favorite. I love its simplicity, that with all its ups and downs, it's a nuanced philosophical debate between two people. I love how you broke down Vincent's shooting technique, identifying it as a manifestation of his identity and world-view. A huge part of his nihilism includes the idea that he sees his actions as inevitable. He doesn't really believe in free will. He sees the cosmos as a meaningless sequence of reactions, beginning with the big bang, ending in pure, meaningless entropy. So of course, he follows his training every time he pulls the trigger. While Max introduces the chaos of personal choice, of going against nature, instinct, and common sense, and in doing so, taking an action Vincent couldn't possibly have predicted, can't account for, and ultimately, can't defend against.
The final shootout also reminds me of a scene in No Country For Old Men, when Sheriff Bell tells the story about the steer, who in its struggles, managed to deflect a bullet back into the head of the man trying to slaughter it. "Even in the contest between man and steer, the outcome isn't certain." That phrase hovers over the entire story. Everyone thinks they can control the chaos. And then life just kinda throws random stuff at them. I think Tom Cruise's character has a lot in common with Anton Chigurh, philosophically. Both think of themselves as inevitable forces of fate, no more in control of their own choices than the bullets in their guns. Yet both are certain they know what will happen next, and both are blindsided by the end of their stories, Chigurh by a random car, and Max by a random cab driver, who suddenly decided to transform into something no one could have predicted.
And hey, maybe Max's transformation was fate too. After all, the stories in films tend to follow a structure, forcing the protagonist into a series of events that ultimately give them no choice but to transform. But I think, in every story, there's always a choice to be made. I think that's the difference between triumphs and tragedies, what the characters choose. A protagonist who makes no choices is no protagonist at all.
Hey, thanks a lot for your very detailed comment! ❤️ The No Country comparison is super interesting and something I never thought about. The best noir protagonists are vessels to some deeply complex ideas.
@@todaysdystopia283 I completely agree. I'm reluctant to say "this character is a representation of this idea," because of course, characters are also, ya know, characters. Whatever else he is, Vincent is a person, with a background, and an in-story reason to be the way he is. The fact of this fully fleshed out character also standing for this philosophy just speaks to the way stories work, and the way human minds work.
A great movie ruined by a bullshit ending.
I thought the same 1:27, except Washington's character is more interesting/entertaining than a nihilistic, stoic that also suffers from Cruise's limited range. What I've noticed about Mann films is that they're remembered for their technical achievement rather than compelling narrative or performances
This is probably the first time I hear this perspective, because Mann's technical prowess is often coupled with some very solid performances, (Cruise/Foxx, DeNiro/Pacino, Caan, etc). In my opinion, of course! But Denzel Washington's performance is for sure one for the books. Thanks for the comment!
@@todaysdystopia283 That's certainly fair, it should be noted that Tom Cruise trained for the role with live ammunition 10 years before Keanu Reeves. I dig your channel and gave it a subscription, am wishing you a thousand before the year's over! See you next video~
@@fourleaf7570 Thanks! Let us hope this wish comes true!
What is the purpose of using vulgarity in your presentation? Sign of ignorance of those who uses.
Shakespeare in the park? Doth mother know you weareth her drapes?
Your script has WAY too much fat. Video should be half as long. Straight up. Very common issue. About half of what you say is not needed and adds nothing.
Just like Michael Mann films! _Collateral_ would be better 30 minutes shorter and _Heat_ 90 minutes
Hey homie.
@@fourleaf7570retarded take
I agree I was trying to be generous and thinking maybe the cinematography elaboration and comparison to the previous body of work is an intention of being for a cinephile niche audience but upon reflection I think it is newbie growing pains and your take is something that is going to help the channel moving forward. The butchery is lacking, but admire that sear those grill marks it makes a viewer want to cut into it.
No slurs in my channel. I appreciate civil discussions and disagreements, but I will not allow this kind of language here. The audience I'm building will not be an audience that communicates this way. I'd appreciate it if everyone else honored this request.