Buddy movie is one block short of a milestone

Bruce Willis plays a troubled cop with more than a little love for the bottle in “16 Blocks,” the latest police drama from Richard Donner, the director of the “Lethal Weapon” film series.

Mos Def (“Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”) costars as Dante Smith, the criminal with the heart of gold, and David Morse (“The Green Mile”) plays Frank Nugent, the crooked cop who’s out to get him.

Willis stars as New York Police Det. Jack Mosley, an over-the-hill cop with a dark past. He is washed up, unmotivated, and depressed until fate gives him a chance at redemption.

Assigned to take a small-time crook named Eddie Bunker (Mos Def) from his jail cell to the courthouse 16 blocks away, Jack is unwittingly placed in the center of a grand jury case that could put his ex-partner Frank behind bars.

Things get ugly when the two cross paths and don’t see eye-to-eye on what to do with the crook Eddie. Jack decides to see his assignment through, and the conflict begins.

The action ensues in a number of cat-and-mouse sequences, most of which you have seen before.

The history between Jack and Frank unfolds in a number of scenes involving gunfire and banter. Frank encourages Jack to forget about Eddie and “do what he always does.” What does he always do? If I told you that, I would be letting slip the only part of this movie that isn’t terribly obvious ? at least not until the second half of the movie.

Jack and Eddie bond while catching their breath. Unfortunately, you’ve seen most of these scenes before as well. The two are unlikely friends who end up having a lot more in common than they thought.

If there is a central dilemma to this film, it is whether people can change. Eddie says yes. Frank says no. Jack says who cares, just let me die.

This theme is effectively worked out through the course of the story and leads to a satisfying but predictable end.

Although at least mildly entertaining, “16 Blocks” fails to break the mold, falling into the predictable pattern of the buddy movie.

Willis, who has perfected the role of the has-been hero, adds a touch more vulnerability here, reminiscent of his work in “Unbreakable.” Mos Def is adequate as the comic sidekick. Be warned, however, that he plays the role in a terrible nasally voice not unlike a poor impersonation of Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s Capote.

Director Richard Donner has done better work, but he does deliver what’s expected.