User reviews

This is not a remake of "The Gauntlet," though the theme is a familiar one. There are, in fact, several movies with similar plots; "3:10 to Yuma" and "Narrow Margin" come to mind. A reviewer emailed me that "Midnight Run" not only has a story like "16 Blocks" but Bruce Willis' character Jack Mosley has a name that is a composite of the movie names for two of the leading roles in "Midnight Run": Robert De Niro's Jack Walsh and Yaphet Kotto's FBI Agent Alonzo Mosely. This, of course, may be mere coincidence. Though the story may seem like déjà vu, the action is fast paced making this an exciting film to watch.

Anyone who doubts that Bruce Willis can act needs only watch his standout performance in "Pulp Fiction" to see what depth this actor can bring to a demanding role. The role of Jack Mosely may not be challenging to Willis, but he still gives it all he's got which is plenty. Playing the part of an over the hill New York cop with a game leg, nothing to live for, and a drinking problem seems easy for Willis to make it all believable.

The criminal, Eddie Bunker, Jack must deliver to testify within a certain time frame is played with gusto by hip-hop artist Mos Def. Eddie is the most verbose prisoner ever. He rattles on and on about anything that comes to mind, some of it funny, some of it trite. He also has a riddle that is not answered till near the end of the film.

A standout performance is delivered by David Morse as the leader of the dirty cops, Frank Nugent. Morse is in danger of becoming typecast as a dishonest lawman. I'm hopeful he will become more diversified in his roles since he is such a talented actor.

This is another winner from action director Richard Donner. If you like his other successful concoctions such as the "Lethal Weapon" flicks, "Superman," "Conspiracy Theory," and "The Omen," then you will certainly enjoy "16 Blocks."

This movie was an excellent surprise. It starts slow, but stay with it. Your first look at Bruce Willis as the burnt-out over the hill cop tells you this will not be the normal shoot-em-up cop drama. The plot starts building almost instantly, unlike many movies where you have to wait through thirty minutes of fluff before the story goes anywhere. The characters in the movie are surprisingly endearing, honest and genuine. They're just normal enough to identify with. Not the standard super evil villain and valiant good guy. Bruce Willis is awesome in his role as the tired underdog struggling with the morality of torn loyalty. Mos Def, whose character's voice was a little aggravating, played an excellent supporting role. The relationship he develops with Willis'character is both surprising and humorous. Overall, the movie was tense from the start and is filled with suspense, humor and a great deal of drama. It takes some unexpected turns and has a great ending. I highly recommend it.

16 BLOCKS is a neat little Hollywood thriller that might not offer the bulldozing excitement of a DIE HARD movie or the fantastic stuntwork of a MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE flick, but which still generates plenty of suspense from its straightforward premise. It tells the story of a cop and a criminal, two men who have to cross New York before their deadline runs out. Of course, there's a lot more at stake than it first appears, and gradually director Richard Donner weaves a story of friendship, betrayal, skeletons in the closet and, above all else, the need to "do the right thing". It's a story that's character-focused throughout, with the emphasis on the developing relationship between Bruce Willis' detective and Mos Def's criminal. Some might find this emphasis off putting, but I for one thoroughly enjoyed it.

Bruce Willis is much as we met him in DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE (and indeed there are many parallels and references to that movie in this one); he's washed up, past his glory, except here he's even worse, saddled with a paunch and a gammy leg. Once the bullets start flying, Bruce's character takes a turn for the better and he becomes the everyday hero we all know and love him for. I was prepared to dislike Mos Def's high-talking criminal but, surprisingly enough, he's one of the best things in the film, and he really makes the criminal character his own, adding warmth to the feature. David Morse, off our screens for too long, is as great as ever as the corrupt cop who becomes the nemesis of the heroes.

While the film is not action-focused, there are some highly impressive set-pieces which strive for realism – the stand-out scene being the bus hostage rescue, of course. Elsewhere, the layer of gritty realism – no pyrotechnics here – and the endless cops-vs-robbers stealthy sneaking around generate plenty of tension and also excitement. My only real complaint is with the ending, which could have been handled a little better, but then it chooses emotion over action and it's a character-focused finale rather than one with big bangs. I remember a few years back when the film S.W.A.T. attempted a similar storyline; the difference is, that film was a piece of crap, and this one is rather good.

Det. Jack Mosley (Bruce Willis) is an old tired apathetic drunk. It's been a long night shift, and he's about to go home. He's roped in to bring witness Eddie (Mos Def) from jail to the courthouse to testify. It's a distance of 16 blocks. Then people start trying to kill Eddie including Jack's former partner Det. Frank Nugent (David Morse).

This is a surprisingly tense thriller from director Richard Donner. Bruce is playing an older drunk John McClane. Mos Def is pretty fun as jittery talking machine. David Morse has great intensity. The cat and mouse game is very compelling. And the chemistry between Jack and Eddie develops very nicely. This is a great tense thriller. The ending is a bit unnecessarily messy. A simpler finish would be much better.

I almost gave up on this movie after about 15 minutes because of the annoyance of Mos Def's voice. What was up with that!? By the end this became an okay crime drama as Bruce Willis plays a burnt out (alcoholic) NYPD detective escorting a small-time crook the (16 blocks) to a grand-jury session.

Willis is impressive with his burnt-out-edness. His character does not resemble any kind of action hero here; unfit, overweight, unattractive, shuffling, gasping for a drink. Well done. And while I like David Morse his character was a bit over-the-top. I mean, I get that they're crooked cops but really, shooting wildly into a crowded NY street and a bus full of civilians. Did the bad cops think they were completely above the law or any repercussions? That they could just do whatever they wanted without consequence? Reminded me a bit of that opening scene with Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L Jackson from "The Other Guys" except that was a comedy. I will say that this grew on me by the end though. 06.13

The story premise is not a new one. We can see other works of action in between pickup and delivery of a suspect or a witness all the way from the 1990s in movies like Eraser (1996) and S.W.A.T (2003). But I like how the story unfolds and develops. It's quite predictable in the bigger picture level, yet it's execution details are nice enough. The action is not bad. I particularly like how Jack and Eddie can escape multiple standoffs even including one hostage situation. Bruce Willis can get his calm mode on for his character here, and Mos Deff really did a great job in giving a balance to a big name such as Willis. It's entertaining enough for me.

Certainly a decent cop - thriller; it's quite entertaining despite some actions sequences that are really unlikely (they could also be called brainless). In fact credulity is put to the test a lot of times, nevertheless "16 Blocks" is a kind of movie that makes you reflect on what you saw. Bruce Willis plays the unusual part of a broken down cop ready for both rehabilitation and retirement, weary of working and living as well; Bruce has never looked more unkempt and scruffy but his part his acting is really persuasive and cogent. The ending could (should) have been less predictable but the job is in my opinion well done.

I haven't seen a movie in years that would be able to touch me as deep as this movie did. Here you won't see piteous freaks or ill children. Just two adults: one elderly white cop and one young black guy (even not really a criminal). But I'd never believe how touching one action-packed day of their lives can be! There are dozens of a-cop-and-a-criminal movies like this but they are all not nearly like this! They are stupid and I never liked that kind of flicks. This movie is splendid. It really should be something to make such a fantasy/sci-fi fan like me to like a criminal drama (not really a drama, read further). Maybe the very idea of the film is plain, maybe the plot has somewhat unrealistic turns (who proved that real life hasn't?) but the characters and their behavior is so real, full of senses and inside thoughts that their acting touches the very soul! And the thing I really loved: unlike many "high art" movies this one ends realistically WELL because, maybe I am too naive, God is kind and life is not a movie. Such a movie ends well: it was really a kind surprise for me! My bow to the director, he's genius. The actors as well. Someone is still able to shoot truly remarkable movies.

The film concerns an experienced but tiring cop named Jack (Bruce Willis) about his retirement . The aging detective is assigned the last mission , transporting sixteen blocks away a foul-mouthed delinquent , from the precinct until the court . He is aware that the African-American young named Eddie Buken (Mos Def) is allegedly to testify against NYPD agents . He made a covenant with the D.A. office for identifying corrupt detectives at courthouse . Meantime , along the way , they're attacked by vicious gunfighters and pursued by all N.Y.C policemen and they find themselves under siege into a bus and surrounded by the SWAT . Then , they team up to flee , trying to get out towards the trial building .

The movie displays suspense , action ,thriller and is very entertaining . The film's writer, Richard Wenk, has reported that he originally conceived of the project with himself as writer and director and, before shopping it around to anyone else, first approached Richard Donner because they had a struck up a good relationship when Donner really liked his rewrite of a script for Lethal weapon 4 (1998) , even though that script was not used . It's a special buddy movie between a dreary , boozy cop magnificently played by Bruce Willis and a fast-talking prisoner well acted by Mos Def , detaching an agreeable chemistry . Although the film is principally interpreted by two main actors also contains exceptional performances by its entire secondary cast , especially by David Morse and Jenna Stern . Living musical score adjusted appropriately to the action by Klaus Badelt and adequate cinematography by Glen McPherson . The movie produced by Milennium (Trevor Short ,Boaz Davidson , Danny Lerner) usually producers of low-medium budget but here was lavishly filmed . The motion picture was professionally directed by the veteran Richard Donner . He's an action cinema specialist with numerous titles (Assassin , Conspiracy theory , Timeline , Lethal Weapon I..). Rating : Better than average . It's a must see for Bruce Willis fans in spite of his characterization as an old man .

I wasn't entirely sure this movie would stick out from the rest but I chose to go since I had nothing else to do. Hell am I glad I was bored. 16 Blocks is a wonderful thrill ride with lots of action/suspense and mild comedy. Any Bruce Willis fan would love this like they did Hostage. Willis plays Jack Mosley, a drunk/hungover cop that seems to have lost his touch. He gets all the scrap jobs that no one wants and one of these jobs brings him straight to Mos Def who plays Eddie, a very hard to understand, very talkative guy who has apparently witnessed something and is due to testify at 10 sharp. It's about 2 hours until he has to be at the court house which is 16 blocks away and a hell of a lot of cops standing in the middle. Mosley doesn't entirely know what to believe, the kid or his ex partner of 20 years but he puts his faith into the kid and the thrill ride begins. Hands down the best dirty cop film I've seen in a while.

In New York, the alcoholic and decadent detective Jack Mosley (Bruce Willis) is assigned to deliver a prisoner to the court sixteen blocks far from his precinct in 118 minutes. Eddie Bunker (Mos Def) made a deal with the D.A. office and will identify and testify against a dirty detective. While driving to the tribunal, Jack is attacked by a group of corrupt cops and protects Eddie.

In spite of being a flawed movie, "16 Blocks" is a good entertainment with lots of action and an optimistic, hopeful and commercial message in the end that people can change, with the redemption of Eddie and Jack. Mos Def irritates with his accent, and Bruce Willis is totally different from his usual shape, inclusive with a "tire" on his belly. It is funny to see all the damage caused by the bus in Manhattan and no press and no interventions of Ada MacDonald (Brenda Pressley), who was interested in the case. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "16 Quadras" ("16 Blocks")

Apart from all other variables this film is ruined by one thing and one thing only: Blabbermouth Mos DeF.

My god, this is the first time I have EVER seen a fair-budget movie been wasted by something like this. For a couple of weeks now my headphone has got a nasty screek which is annoying, but it's not half as bad as the continuous blabber in the most annoying tone of voice I have ever heard. After a good fifteen minutes a was yelling to my screen to shut him up. After 30 minutes I was praying to God to keep him quiet. After 45 minutes I was about ready to jump out of my window.

Thank God I got the sense to just press the eject button. And I think I will now play some deathmetal albums volume up to get rid of that nasty blabber echo still in my head.

Avoid this like the plague.

In 16 Blocks (2006) made by Richard Donner (whose films include Superman (1978), four Lethal Weapon movies, Maverick, Conspiracy Theory among others), Bruce Willis plays Jack Mosley, a tired broken drunk detective in NYC. One morning, after his night shift is over, he gets an assignment to escort a witness-criminal named Eddie (Mos Def) to a grand jury hearing which 16 blocks away from headquarters is. The witness has to get to court in next 118 minutes but on the way somebody wants him dead and they have all means and determination to have it happen. The kid, like everyone calls Eddie is going to testify against corruption and drug dealing within the very police department where Jack used to work and where he has long time friends and colleagues, including his former partner for many years, Det. Frank Nugent (David Morse). Now Jack and Eddie are against New York's bravest and time is certainly not on their side while they are on the trip through 16 Blocks in Chinatown to make it in time to court and preferably alive.

For the first 70 minutes I loved the film but then, the creators made an implausible turn in the script which made me cringe but even the way it turned, the movie was fun to watch -the combination of Action/Crime/Thriller almost always makes me happy. The DVD features an alternate ending which I like a lot and I wish it could make it to the theatrical release. It is more logical and fits the film but I can understand why the movie makers decided to go with the different ending. Another thing - you can't go wrong with Bruce Willis. The guy was born to play the tough cops who never give up and who are good in saving the city, the country, the world, the humankind or just one petty criminal and to give him a chance to re-start his life and do something out of it.

Solid Bruce Willis action film has Bruce as a limping over-the-hill detective who finds himself asked to do a favor transporting a prisoner just sixteen blocks to the courthouse. Instead, he finds himself under siege for said sixteen blocks and caught up in a web of criminals, dirty cops, and conspiracies. For as simple and clichéd a plot here, the script seemed quite overwrought and a tad too self-serious for what is essentially an update of Clint Eastwood's "The Gauntlet," but despite a weak script, the film is solidly directed by veteran action direction Richard Donner ("Lethal Weapon," "Superman," "Ladyhawke," "The Goonies") and Bruce gives a strong performance as always. Not a classic, but still better than the bombastic 4th and 5th "Die Hard" films.

Bruce Willis doesn't exactly have to stretch himself here, in the role of Jack Mosley. Jack is an extremely weary, damaged veteran NYPD detective with a fondness for the bottle. One morning he receives a supposedly minor assignment: escort a witness named Eddie Bunker (Yasiin Bey, a.k.a. hip hop artist Mos Def) to a courthouse. But this turns out to be a nightmare, because this witness' testimony will help to put away some VERY dirty cops, and they will do ANYTHING to silence Bunker - and Mosley, if need be.

Recalling the 1977 Clint Eastwood vehicle "The Gauntlet" (to name just one possible influence), "16 Blocks" explores fairly familiar territory. Still, the idea of watching this seriously burnt-out cop begin to redeem himself makes it all pretty compelling. Richard Donner (in what was his last film for the past 13 years) guides it all in style, with top action scenes and good use of NYC locations. The film starts off in a rather low-key manner, then ratchets up the tension and quickens the pace as the first attempt is made on Bunkers' life. The chemistry between cop and witness is effective enough to carry the story through to its ultimate conclusion, especially as Mosley realizes that Bunker is really not a bad person, despite what his colleagues try to tell him. (It's worth noting that the naming of this character may be a deliberate nod to the real-life Eddie Bunker, who'd spent time in prison and turned his life around by becoming a novelist and screenwriter, and actor, in things like "Reservoir Dogs".)

When he actually gives a damn about a project, Willis can still deliver a riveting performance, as he does so here. Despite his flaws, Mosley comes off as an all-too-human protagonist, one with some rooting interest. Since it's Willis in the role, the viewer has no doubt that he's still capable of kicking some ass when necessary. As for Mos Def, his affected, nasal voice CAN grate on the nerves, as well as the characters' incessant chattiness, but the performance is basically sound. Familiar faces in supporting roles include the always great David Morse (as the ringleader of the crooked cops), David Zayas ('Dexter'), Casey Sander ('Grace Under Fire'), Cylk Cozart ("White Men Can't Jump"), Kim Chan ("Lethal Weapon 4"), and Donner's actor cousin Steve Kahan, whom action fans know as Captain Murphy in the "Lethal Weapon" franchise.

A good, enjoyable action-thriller overall, which finds all of its key participants in fine form. One memorable sequence has Jack and Eddie trapped on a bus and surrounded by the authorities.

Seven out of 10.

This is one of Bruce Willis' finest films yet. He plays a tired old cop who is handed the menial task of driving Mos Def, a criminal, who has to testify in court. Little does he know, he winds up running into very much trouble. Although one might think that this movie cannot be suspenseful because it takes place within the radius of 16 blocks, many twists and turns occur which make it very interesting.

Mos Def also delivers an outstanding performance through the use of his accent and his hilarious anecdotes throughout the movie. He adds a lot of depth to his character and to the movie as a whole. Thus, the audience is able to sympathize with him. Overall, this movie was excellent and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great fast paced thriller.

I saw this move for the second time yesterday. If you are looking for the traditional "Die Hard" Bruce Willis, you will be a bit disappointed. There is a fair amount of action which is typical for a Bruce Willis crime film, but his character in this film is much more cerebral, lacking the usual type A personality. His character is quite depressing but by the end you will realize the cause of this mentality. His co-star initially was annoying but he grew on me as the movie progressed to the point that, mixed in that peculiar voice of his, he has a very strong message on morality and regret. The plot can seem unbelievable at times due to geographical small area in which the entire story occurs and the time elapse especially toward the end but not to the point that it brings the move down. The plot flowed at a constant pace and kept me interested. There was an alternate ending available on the DVD which some viewers may find more appealing as it is quite the opposite of the released ending. The director did a really good job of filming angles and working within the crowds of New York City. If you want to see an atypical Bruce Willis action movie with an interesting co-star this could be one for you. Not one I would recommend to watch with a significant other on a date night and I would not begin to compare this to the popular Die Hard franchise but on its own merits it is well worth the watch

This movie had everything that makes a good thriller and also becomes a memorable film with the great ending that really left you with a great feeling about friendship and change. The acting was great. Of course Bruce Willis wont get any credit at all for his performance because " hes ot a good actor" which is just ridiculous and i don't even wanna go off on this because it will take too long. Mos Def was great too even tho the voice was a bit testing but in the end it also proved memorable. David Morse was in my opinion the best part about the movie...the guy is just so cool and rather witty at times as well. A great movie and even though the movie didn't gross 4830385954 dollars like some cruise movie....it should prove that bruce willis and his films will go down to be much better then those of the box office boys like cruise.

16 Blocks is the kind of movie you can really only watch once and even at that you'll be correctly guessing what happens next as it goes through loads of familiar developments with a lot of unsubtle foreshadowing. I'm surprised that Richard Donner managed to make a film so tepid.

The rapidly ageing Bruce Willis plays a downbeat, alcoholic cop who is talked into transporting a witness (most definitely Mos Def) to the courthouse to testify against dirty cops. Only those dirty cops make it very difficult for them to make this seemingly simple, short journey.

Since the film runs 102 minutes and they have 118 minutes to get to the courthouse, it's not strictly in real time. But it did very much remind me of Phone Booth in terms of brisk pacing and bustling New York backdrop. A suspension of disbelief is seriously required as a few completely implausible things happen.

I mean, how the hell do the dirty cops constantly manage to catch up with them. Do they have secret homing devices and teleport machines? Why did Willis not shoot any of them in the foot so they couldn't follow? Why didn't he identify himself properly on that bus full of complete moron passengers?

Richard Donner has proved himself a master of action in the past but this PG-13 rated movie is just packed full of jittery, blurred, badly-lit, incomprehensible shoot-outs. A harder nature and bad guys that DID more evil instead of talking about already doing it would have made a better movie.

Rent this. And completely forget about it the minute you switch the DVD player off.

"16 Blocks" features an aging Bruce Willis as a broken-down, burned out NYPD detective assigned to transport the key witness in a police corruption trial from his jail cell to the courthouse where he is scheduled to testify 16 blocks away. However, something goes terribly awry when the cops who are the targets of his testimony attempt to knock off the witness, forcing Willis and his charge to run for their lives through the crowded streets and deserted back alleys of downtown Manhattan.

"16 Blocks" deserves points for at least attempting to provide a bit more in the way of characterization and theme than we are used to in run-of-the-mill police procedurals, but the film winds up falling flat despite the best of intentions and some first rate performances by Willis and Mos Def as the man whose life Willis feels compelled to protect. For even though the low-keyed approach writer Richard Wenk and director Richard Donner have taken towards the material should have made this a more believable and realistic film than most in its genre, the filmmakers keep undercutting that truth by having the two fleeing gentlemen go through so many hairbreadth escapes that we begin to think that not only are these NYPD officers corrupt but amazingly incompetent as well. Moreover, the schmaltzy, humanity-of-man ending, with its theme of mutually achieved salvation and redemption, comes across as a contrived piece of sentimental uplift that never rings true or convincing.

What's good about the movie is its occasionally witty one liners and the performances by the actors in the two lead roles. Willis, craggy-faced, gimpy and sporting a noticeable middle-age spread, is subtle and subdued in the role of a man who has grown apathetic and cynical over the years, and Mos Def makes a very compelling character out of Eddie Bunker, the criminal-with-a-heart-of-gold who never stops talking, but whose deadpan, singsong delivery endears him to the audience. The actors alone compensate for the underdeveloped script and the overall sense of ennui that permeates the film.

saw preview in NYC. Fun action flick. somewhat derivative but some good audience laughter in right spots and applause when appropriate. should have good broad based appeal. didn't fall asleep which, these days, is a good sign. Bruce Willis does weary hero well though its unclear why his character does what he does. Mos Def is funny and engaging but nasal voice is annoying after awhile. Best job is by David Morse who is completely believable as a NYC cop though somewhat unbelievable in terms of what he will go through to do what he feels he must do. Others have drawn parallels to The Gauntlet with Clint Eastwood and there are definite similar themes and scenes but , obviously , more updated and , actually fun.