Collateral - 20th Anniversary Steelbook (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: August 6, 2024
Rating: R
Film: 4/5

Plot
Tom Cruise gives a chilling performance as Vincent, a cool, calculating contract killer at the top of his game.  Jamie Foxx received an Academy Award^® nomination^* for his portrayal of Max, a cabbie with big dreams and little to show for it.  The film showcases the actors as Max transports Vincent on his next job - one night, five stops, five hits and a getaway.  And after this fateful night, neither man will ever be the same.

My Thoughts
Max was having the night of his life when a hot federal prosecutor (Jada Pinkett Smith) gives him her business card and essentially begs for him to come calling. Still basking in the glow of his newfound potential relationship Vencent comes along and knocks on his window looking for a ride. Unfortunately for Max, he accepts the fare and the night that started so promising is going to go south rather quickly.

Director Michael Mann was in his prime when making this film and he takes what could have been a rudimentary thriller and turns it into something more. The dialog is outstanding and seeing Cruise play the villain is a treat—in fact, it may be the best performance of his career. Foxx didn’t win the Oscar for his role, but it put him on the map for the voters and he’d eventually win his golden statue for his performance in Ray.

This is the same transfer as the 2020 release, so don’t expect to be blown-away by the presentation. It’s very gritty and grainy (intentionally so), so know that going in. Furthermore, the film takes place at night for the vast majority of the film and the color palette is as bland as the food in the UK, which doesn’t lend itself for an awe-inspiring affair. About halfway through the film I popped in the Blu-ray as a comparison and frankly, I couldn’t tell the two apart in a blind test. The gamma was slightly brighter on the Blu-ray, which actually helped resolve the shadows a bit at the expense of true inky blacks. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is the same on both the Blu-ray and UHD and does a good job at conveying what’s on screen, but it’s mostly front loaded and only opens up when the bullets start flying or Vincent and Max enter a nightclub. 

Video 7/10

Audio 8/10 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)

Special Features:

• Steelbook packaging
• Commentary by Director Michael Mann
• City of Night: The Making of Collateral
• Special Delivery
• Deleted Scene with Commentary
• Shooting on Location: Annie’s Office
• Tom Cruise & Jamie Foxx Rehearse
• Visual FX: MTA Train
• 4K + Digital Copy

Conclusion
This was my third time watching the film and I’m still impressed by how tight the writing is and how great the interactions between Fox and Cruise—two men who are very good actors. If you own the previously released 4K, don’t expect any miracles in the video quality since it uses the same transfer, but the Steelbook packaging looks quite spiffy. 



Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
 Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
 ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
 System Controller: URC MX-990
 M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
 M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
 Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[Paul Heroy]

Never saw this one - thanks for the review and putting it on the radar. 

[SRW1000]

I remember liking this movie when it first came out, but it never made it to our library.  I agree that this is one of Cruise's best performances; playing against type probably was a big help in this regard.

I'm going to keep an eye out for it, since I think it would be a good movie to show friends who haven't seen it.  Thanks for the review of this old title.

[Craig Peer]

I got this movie on 4K Blu-ray some time ago - good flick!