Bruce Willis and Mos Def star in 16 Blocks, an action film directed by legendary action film director Richard Donner (The Omen, Lethal Weapon, Superman) about a witness (Mos Def) and the burned out cop (Bruce Willis) assigned to get him to a grand jury before time runs out. While we won't spoil the plot for you we will tell you that Willis, who plays that burned out NYC cop, finds himself and his charge on the wrong side of his fellow police officers, who will do everything they can to stop them.

Willis plays an aging and haggard detective, who drinks to keep his numerous personal demons deep down inside. But Willis finds himself in one of those life changing moments where clarity can break through even the deepest of self-medicated stupors. One of the defining moments of the film is when Willis leaves Mos Def in the car to get yet another drink at a liquor store. While inside several assassins attempt to take Mos Def out.. It is at this moment that Willis' police instincts take over – and if only for a moment – he wakes from the drunken stupor he's in to save the day. This moment doesn't last and Willis' character returns to his haggard and beaten state, albeit moving with quite a bit more animation at the thought of being shot at and possibly killed. The film serves up in and out moments as the viewer tries to figure out just how messed up Willis is and whether he is capable of the task at hand. Mos Def's character has his doubts throughout the film as well.

Mos Def once again proves that he can play just about any role with depth. This time out he plays a petty criminal who is headed to court to testify before a grand jury. But this little fish turns out to be a great threat to good many people and killing him becomes the top priority. Def's character starts out the movie like a lost Wayans brother and his character feels like the stereotypical supporting "buddy film" second banana. But something happens in this film that doesn't usually happen in buddy films: Mos Def outshines Willis in his role and creates a character that you want to live by the end of the film. Def is an idealist without all the baggage, holding onto a simple dream and a positive outlook that you don't usually find with this kind of character. It's a refreshing portrayal for this actor, and one I personally enjoyed.

16 blocks has it's share of action and some very small but interesting comedic moments, but ultimately it's really a story about one broken down old cop who finds redemption and about having hope despite a bad start in life. Sure some of the plot is ridiculous (where is the media when all of this terrible stuff is happening in the grandest city in the world) and stereotypical and there are plenty of clichés, and stereotypes in the film, but in the end 16 Blocks proves to be an entertaining film. It has to be noted that, much like Freedomland, the events that occur in this film in a post-911 New York City, are far-fetched at best.

As for extras on this DVD, there's an alternate ending to the film available, along with some deleted scenes with commentary by Richard Donner and writer Richard Wenk. The alternate ending is interesting (and I won't spoil it for you by telling you anything about it) but I think the film makers went with the right ending in the theatrical release. Still, it's cool they included it. The film is available on DVD now. You can learn more about it by visiting www.warnerbros.com/16blocks .