# 16 Blocks

> 2006 film directed by Richard Donner

**Wikidata**: [Q169000](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q169000)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16_Blocks)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/16-blocks

## Summary

16 Blocks is a movie that falls within the crime film genre . It is also categorized as a buddy cop film . The production incorporates elements of the action film genre . Additionally, it is recognized as a drama film .

## Summary
**16 Blocks** is a 2006 action thriller film directed by Richard Donner, starring Bruce Willis as a veteran NYPD detective tasked with transporting a witness (Mos Def) 16 city blocks to a courthouse. The film explores themes of corruption and redemption within the police force. It was produced by Alcon Entertainment, QED International, and others, and distributed by Warner Bros.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: January 1, 2006 (limited), April 20, 2006 (wide)
- **Director**: Richard Donner
- **Starring**: Bruce Willis, Mos Def, David Morse, Cylk Cozart
- **Genre**: Action film, Crime film, Buddy cop film, Drama film
- **Production Companies**: Alcon Entertainment, QED International, 16 Blocks Productions, Donners' Company
- **Distributor**: Warner Bros.
- **Runtime**: 94 minutes
- **Budget**: $55 million
- **Box Office**: $22.7 million (domestic), $4.8 million (international)
- **Countries of Origin**: United States, Germany
- **Languages**: English
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 34 language editions
- **IMDb ID**: tt0450232
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 55% (critics), 63% (audience)
- **Metacritic Score**: 63/100 (critics), 5.9/10 (users)
- **MusicBrainz Release Group ID**: 7f6a6e3f-5a1b-4e3d-9b1a-1f9a6e3d9b1a
- **Official Website**: https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/16-blocks
- **Wikidata Item**: Q1138792
- **Freebase ID**: /m/06tpmy
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: sh2017000012

## FAQs
**What is the central plot of *16 Blocks*?**  
The film follows NYPD detective Jack Mosley (Bruce Willis), who must transport a witness (Mos Def) 16 blocks to a courthouse while evading corrupt officers seeking to silence the witness.

**Who directed *16 Blocks* and what is its genre?**  
Directed by Richard Donner, *16 Blocks* blends action, crime, and drama elements, fitting into the buddy cop film subgenre.

**How was *16 Blocks* received commercially and critically?**  
The film underperformed commercially, grossing $27.5 million worldwide against a $55 million budget. Critics gave mixed reviews, with a 55% Rotten Tomatoes score, while audiences responded more positively (63%).

**What themes does *16 Blocks* explore?**  
The movie examines police corruption, personal redemption, and the moral challenges faced by law enforcement, set against the backdrop of a tense, time-sensitive mission.

**Who are the key cast members and production companies?**  
Starring Bruce Willis and Mos Def, the film was produced by Alcon Entertainment, QED International, and Donners' Company, with Warner Bros. handling distribution.

## Why It Matters
*16 Blocks* stands as a notable entry in the action-thriller genre, showcasing Richard Donner’s direction and Bruce Willis’s performance. Despite mixed reviews, it contributes to discussions on police ethics and systemic corruption, reflecting broader societal concerns. The film’s tight narrative structure and moral complexity make it a case study in balancing action with character-driven drama. Its production involved international collaboration (U.S.-Germany), highlighting global filmmaking partnerships. While not a commercial success, it remains a reference point for 2000s action cinema and Donner’s filmography.

## Notable For
- **Director’s Legacy**: Part of Richard Donner’s filmography, known for *Superman* (1978) and *Lethal Weapon* series.
- **Genre Hybridization**: Blends buddy cop dynamics with serious themes of corruption and redemption.
- **Star Vehicle**: Features Bruce Willis in a late-career action role, contrasting his earlier blockbuster success.
- **Critical Divide**: Illustrates disparities between critical and audience reception in mid-2000s cinema.
- **International Co-Production**: U.S.-Germany collaboration, reflecting globalized film production trends.
- **Thematic Relevance**: Addresses police misconduct, a topic of enduring public discourse.

## Body

### Production and Release
*16 Blocks* was produced by Alcon Entertainment, QED International, 16 Blocks Productions, and Donners' Company, with Warner Bros. distributing the film. It premiered in limited release on January 1, 2006, and wide release on April 20, 2006. The $55 million budget yielded $22.7 million domestically and $4.8 million internationally, totaling $27.5 million worldwide.

### Cast and Crew
Directed by Richard Donner, the film stars Bruce Willis as Detective Jack Mosley, Mos Def as Eddie Bunker, and David Morse as Captain Frank Nugent. The screenplay was written by Richard Wenk, with Donner also serving as a producer alongside Bruce Willis and others.

### Genre and Themes
Classified as an action, crime, and drama film, *16 Blocks* incorporates buddy cop elements. It explores police corruption, personal redemption, and moral dilemmas within law enforcement, using a real-time, 16-block journey to heighten tension.

### Reception
Critical reception was mixed, with a 55% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics but a 63% audience score. Metacritic reported a 63/100 critic score and 5.9/10 user score. The film’s pacing and action sequences received praise, while some critics found the plot predictable.

### Cultural and Industry Impact
Despite modest box office returns, *16 Blocks* contributes to the action-thriller genre and discussions on police ethics. It reflects early 2000s trends in cop dramas and the challenges of balancing character development with action. The film’s international co-production (U.S.-Germany) underscores global collaboration in filmmaking.

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 94 minutes
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.35:1
- **Sound Mix**: DTS, Dolby Digital, SDDS
- **Color**: Color
- **Film Gauge**: 35 mm

### Legacy
*16 Blocks* remains a notable entry in Richard Donner’s career and a late-career vehicle for Bruce Willis. It is recognized for its tight narrative structure and thematic depth, even as its commercial performance fell short of expectations. The film’s exploration of systemic corruption and personal integrity continues to resonate with audiences interested in police procedurals and moral complexity.

### Related Entities
- **Alcon Entertainment**: Production company involved in films like *The Blind Side* and *Prisoners*.
- **QED International**: Co-producer of *The Wolverine* and *The Grand Budapest Hotel*.
- **Richard Donner**: Acclaimed director of *Superman* (1978) and the *Lethal Weapon* series.
- **Bruce Willis**: Star of the *Die Hard* franchise and *Pulp Fiction*.
- **Mos Def**: Actor and musician known for *The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy* and *Dexter*.

### Awards and Nominations
While *16 Blocks* did not receive major awards, it was nominated for a **Teen Choice Award** (2006) for "Choice Movie: Thriller."

### Home Media and Streaming
Released on DVD and Blu-ray post-theatrical run, *16 Blocks* is available on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max, ensuring continued accessibility for audiences.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. The Movie Database
3. 16 Blocks. Rotten Tomatoes
4. [Source](http://www.kinokalender.com/film3076_16-blocks.html)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Kinopoisk
7. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/16-blocks/)
8. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
9. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=59720.html)
10. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
11. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/114406)
12. Cineplex
13. Online-Filmdatenbank
14. mymovies.it
15. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/05B6-3D60-EA68-A91A-1F9A-6)
16. Danish Film Database
17. TheTVDB
18. Trakt.tv
19. FilmVandaag.nl