16 Blocks (12A)

Engaging if shallow vehicle for Bruce Willis, who's cleverly handling the whole over-the-hill-action-hero issue by selecting roles that play on his increasingly careworn appearance.

He plays weary, boozy cop Jack Mosley, who's landed with the annoying chore of delivering witness Eddie Bunker (Mos Def) the titular distance to a grand jury trial. However, the shady characters who Eddie is about to incriminate have other ideas – not to mention a lot of power on their side. A chase ensues, with Jack succumbing to an uncharacteristic attack of morals and putting his career and life on the line to protect his no-mark charge.

Willis is winning, of course, while Mos Def affirms his rising star status with a witty turn. The excitement isn't quite as knife-edge as it should be, however, which leaves the viewer with plenty of time to contemplate inconsistencies in the plot.

© The Herald