Collateral (dvd)

Cruise prepares for his next encounter with Channel 4

Taxi driver meets girl, girl gives tax driver her number, taxi driver picks up guy who looks suspiciously like movie star Tom Cruise but who turns out to be hitman, taxi driver forced to drive around from hit to hit, taxi driver escapes, realises hitman's final hit will be his previous fare, taxi driver saves girl, Will Smith probably none too happy...

How many times have we heard that story? About as many times as the diminutive Scientologist has played a baddie (not including that mask bit in M:I2). But put a bit of grey into his temple and a Ruger revolver into his hand and he pulls it off surprisingly and eerily well.

To be honest that's just as well as there's not alot else here. Tom Cruise playing against type is just enough to detract from a hollow script and a disappointingly superficial performance from Jamie Foxx. Even the action set pieces lack tension and pace with the superb exception of one bullet and soundtrack frenzy in a nightclub.

I see from recent adverts that at least one high street retailer has reduced the DVD to an impressive £6.99. Probably not worth it.