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A straightforward if unacknowledged reworking of Clint Eastwood's The Gauntlet, this stripped-down thriller boasts taut direction from veteran action-filmmaker Richard Donner and exceptionally fine performances by its star duo, Bruce Willis and Mos Def. It only takes a few minutes to establish the premise: Aging, world-weary cop Jack Mosley (Willis) draws the short straw at his precinct and is assigned to transport motor-mouthed street punk Eddie Bunker (Def) to the D.A.'s office. But what should be a short, easy trip turns into a firestorm for Jack when crooked cops headed by his ex-partner, Frank Nugent (David Morse), go all out to make sure Eddie never reaches his destination. Obviously, this prisoner knows something that can bring them all down; Jack is thus torn between discharging his duty honorably and giving Eddie up. There's no real nuance to the story, although Donner and the screenwriters toss in a last-reel complication that somewhat alters the complexion of Jack's dilemma. It's rare in a fast-moving film like this for the acting to overshadow the action, but Willis -- having finally aged into this type of role -- is terrific as the jaded cop. His trademark smirk, once indicative of youthful insouciance, now effectively reflects cynicism and irony. His ensemble cohorts, Morse and Mos Def, also contribute riveting performances. This combustible combination of talents turns 16 Blocks into a tough, terse, two-fisted entertainment that's guaranteed to please fans of gritty cop thrillers. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

A hard-drinking, hard-living cop assigned the task of transporting a small-time criminal to the nearby courthouse finds that a simple, 16-block drive can be the longest ride of his life in director Richard Donner's urban action thriller. Hung-over, has-been cop Jack Mosley (Bruce Willis) has seen better days, and all that the force expects out of him these days is to stay out of trouble while he's on the clock. Eddie Bunker (Mos Def) is set to testify before a grand jury at 10:00 a.m., and it's up to Mosely to make sure that Bunker makes it to the courthouse in one piece -- a job that Mosely estimates will take a maximum of 15 minutes. A black van has been trailing the pair unnoticed, though, and after stopping off at a nearby liquor store to pick up some breakfast, Mosely emerges from the store just in time to save Eddie from the lethal bullet of a determined assassin. When backup arrives in the form of Detective Frank Nugent (David Morse), Mosely quickly realizes that the detective on Nugent's team is the same cop that Bunker is set to testify against. Now faced with the tough task of dodging bullets and eluding a massive onslaught of corrupt cops, Mosely must keep Bunker alive long enough to get him before the judge and ensure that justice is served. Jason Buchanan

Product Details

• UPC: 012569829466
• Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
• Editions: Subtitled, Dubbed
• Time: 1:42:00
• Sales Rank: 39,260

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Firewall / 16 Blocks
• Bruce Willis Collection: 4 Film Favorites

Features: