"16 Blocks" is a modestly absorbing, but unexceptional buddy film that stars the unlikely duo of cinematic tough guy, Bruce Willis and rapper, Mos Def. The saving grace of the movie is the great interplay between the two actors, but it isn’t quite enough to make the film special.

All buddy films (such as "Rush Hour" and "Midnight Run") feature two dissimilar protagonists who instantly dislike each other and clash because of their cultural or personality differences. After being placed in danger together, they inevitably come to respect, like, and perhaps even love each other. Many of these films have a strong homosexual subtext.

"16 Blocks" was cut from the same cloth as "Lethal Weapon." This should come as no surprise since it was made by the same director/producer, Richard Donner, an action/adventure film specialist. His best films are still probably the first two Superman films, which starred the perfectly cast Christopher Reeve.

Bruce Willis plays another one of his tough guy characters. Willis is great at this type of role, but if he doesn’t expand his range, he may become permanently typecast. In this film, he is little more than a walking, talking cinematic stereotype.

Willis is Jake, a strong and silent police officer who is totally immersed in his own misery. He is like a tamer version of the Detective Andy Sipowicz character on the first season of "NYPD Blue."

Jake is called upon to deliver Eddie, a small time hood, to an important Grand Jury trial. Jake isn’t exactly the most logical choice for the task. He is overweight, constantly drunk, and he has a bad leg, which causes him to limp. It’s almost as if his superiors had purposely picked the best person to fail.

Jake is shocked to find out that his fellow police officers mean to execute Eddie to prevent him from testifying against a crooked cop.

He is tainted and corrupt but when push comes to shove, Jake does the right thing.

"16 Blocks" offers some decent thrills, convincing car crashes, and superb stunt work. But it’s too slick, and it sticks a bit too closely to its formula.

Action and buddy film fans will like it, but there is no reason anyone else should go out of their way to see "16 Blocks." However, it might make a decent rainy day rental.