Reviews of Heat
Displaying all 3 reviews
Henrik Schunk
22May12
This must be one of the strongest, most brilliantly orchestrated crime (heist&chase) movies I have seen, filled to the brim with good actors, no talent is lost (including the directors) and we witness what can almost be called a saga of a criminal crew that is chased down by Al Pacino’s character. Needless to say (although the film Righteous Kill might make it a must to say this), Pacino and De Niro are enigmatic and incredible in their performances but the solid and slick direction also puts the others actors in a good light, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight and Diane Venora are all spot in their performance and it really is a shame that Kilmer went from b-stardom to nothingness within the the last 15 years, he does quiet well in this film, although he will probably be remembered for screwing up Batman (which he shot simultaneously with this movie). To me, Michael Mann is a puzzle, I watched Collateral and I loved it to bits, then I watched Miami Vice and almost died out of boredom (switched it off after 15 minutes) and now this mother of a movie ? Talking about form. Anyhow, the direction is ace and spot-on and some of the scenes have so much rhythm (such as the 2nd heist scene) it is almost like an opera, beautiful. The showdown is grandiose, albeit it slightly predictable but it would have been too much not to pop the balloon that filled up with the air of thrill all the time. I found that, for a thriller about robbers and cops, there is a delightfully small amount of action scenes involved and the best scenes are simple one-on-ones and focused dialogues (watch out for De Niro and Pacino having coffee, what a scene). I could go on and on about how much I enjoyed this movie, but you really have to see it to believe it.
A masterpiece. period.
- Currently 5.0/5 Stars.
Marcus WP
15Jan12
In the tradition of David Lynch & ‘Mulholland Drive’, Michael Mann’s ‘Heat’ originated from a failed television project (‘LA Takedown’). ‘Heat’ carries over the same basic plot as well as certain specific lines from ‘L.A. Takedown’ (there’s even a cameo in ‘Heat’ from Xander Berkley who appears in the original). And strangely enough, ‘Heat’ and ‘Mulholland Drive’ share another common bond. Aside from being set in L.A., certain aspects of both films are LOOSELY based on true events and real people (with ‘Mulholland Drive’, David Lynch was subconsciously influenced by the death of his former assistant, while certain characters in ‘Heat’ are based on real people). ‘L.A. Takedown’ was a more simplified version of what Mann really wanted to do. It didn’t have so many characters, not as many subplots and its only 90 minutes long, whereas ‘Heat’ is almost 3 hours with quite a few side stories.
In ‘Heat’, Al Pacino plays “Vincent Hanna”: A somewhat unusual, yet dedicated police lieutenant (based on real life police officer-turned screen writer Chuck Adamson) who’s on the trail of “Neil McCauley” (Robert Deniro) and his crew (Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Danny Trejo) who’re about to pull a major heist. Hanna and McCauley’s relationship, which we’ll get to a little later, is a bit strange but at the same time very interesting.
I really appreciate the fact that even though ‘Heat’ is essentially an action film (or “crime drama”), Michael Mann took his time, and wasn’t afraid to make a long, complex tale involving many different players and subplots. These subplots include: Hanna’s marital problems and his suicidal stepdaughter (played by Natalie Portman), McCauley’s relationship with his girlfriend and his pursuit of a former partner of his who double crosses him (just like in ‘Thief’, ‘Public Enemies’ and ‘Miami Vice’, Michael Mann creates a world where there’s GOOD bad guys). The film also delves in to the life of Denrio’s partner/2nd in command; “Chris” (Val Kilmer) who’s also got marital and gambling problems. Over the years I’ve heard some people complain about all the additional characters and subplots, but in my opinion I thought they gave the film depth. In addition to basing Al Pacino’s character off of a real life police officer, Michael Mann also based John Voight’s character off of actor/author/ex-con Eddie Bunker (reservoir dogs and animal factory), who also acted as a consultant on ‘Heat’.
The rest of the supporting cast in this film is so stacked, you often forget all the actors in it like; Ted Levine, Tom Noonan, Hank Azaria or Dennis Haysbert. Even a pre-entourage Jeremy Piven has a small part.
‘Heat’ is one of my favorite movies, but at the same time I cant deny it has its plot holes or unbelievable moments like; Al Pacino man handling Henry Rollins (i don’t think so), Val Kilmer’s getaway at the end or 3 guys greatly outnumbered by a S.W.A.T. team who manage to shoot their way out and get away with only 1 casualty, but none of that really seemed to bother me, because in my opinion it didn’t take away from the “big picture”.
In my opinion, ‘Heat’ is an important landmark. Its where all the great elements of Mann’s early work like ‘Thief’ and ‘Manhunter’ (the acting, the grittiness, the music) met the great elements of his future work like ‘Miami Vice’ and ‘Collateral’ (unique cinematography, bright lights, big cities, nightclubs, beautiful lighting, etc). Techniques and shots were carried over from ‘Thief’ and ‘Manhunter’ into ‘Heat’, and we were also introduced to new techniques and shots in ‘Heat’ that Mann continues to do to this day.
Every director creates their own world. Some directors like Lodge Kerrigan or David Lynch create a world of unease and crazy people that you don’t wanna visit. Directors like Cassavetes show realism. Other directors like the obvious Tim Burton create a land of fantasy. Mann kinda combines all of those worlds. ‘Heat’ may appear to be realistic, but so many things in that movie would NEVER happen in real life. With a director like Mann, even with all the criminals, shootouts and violence, its a world you wouldn’t mind visiting because he makes everything look cool and sleek. In ‘Heat’, he makes L.A. (a city I’m not too fond off) seem like a place I would enjoy.
Of course the biggest hype around ‘Heat’ was that this was gonna be the first film to have Pacino and Denrio on screen together (as we all know they were both in ‘The Godfather Part 2’, but never at the same time). Say what you want, but Michael Mann has managed to quietly work with some of the biggest actors from each era. James Caan in the early 80’s, Denrio, Pacino and Russell Crowe in the 90’s and Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise, Javier Bardem and Christian Bale in the last decade. He was quite aware of the hype that would be surrounding this, and he made the audience wait until that classic scene when both iconic actors wold be in the same scene together. In the first half of ‘Heat’, Mann teased us with the stakeout scene, which is edited to look like Deniro and Pacino are looking right at each other when in fact they’re in completely different locations.
He prolongs the meeting between Pacino and Deniro yet AGAIN, with another similar scene in which they aren’t on camera together, but both are aware of each other’s presence.
Eventually we get the famous “cafe scene” where Pacino and Deniro finally meet (which is kinda edited in a similar fashion as the stakeout scene from earlier). Their relationship in this scene, as well as this movie is like a flirty heterosexual relationship. Both characters have (some) respect for each other, even though they’re technically enemies. Its this unspoken “thing” between the two of them. The respect that Hanna has for McCauley is a little odd. Its like he has a crush on him or something. His choice of words in that scene is a bit strange. As a cop, why wouldn’t he like it if he had to take down a criminal who was putting the lives of others in danger (you know, essentially doing his job)? Through out the film whenever Hanna mentions McCauley, he repeats the line; “this guy is good”. On the flip side, it seemed like once McCauley found out Hanna was on to him, he wanted to go through with it even more because it would be the ultimate challenge for him.
‘Heat’ is easily one of the best movies of the 90’s and one of the greatest crime dramas of all time (…in my opinion). A true Los Angeles film that deserves its place among other ensemble modern LA films like ‘Shortcuts’ or ‘Pulp Fiction’.
- Currently 5.0/5 Stars.
MR. Universe
16Aug10
I knew about it months before when it was filming because I was a weekly reader of THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Back when they used to be like PRODUCTION WEEKLY and would list all the films in production and there casts. So I knew who was in the cast I even knew that Johnny Depp and Keanu Reees turned down the Val Kilmer role which would have made this film even more legendary. Not that Val Kilmer did a bad job he is just not as celebrated as Johnny Depp. But then again Don Johnson, Nick Nolte and Jeff Briges were considered for either Lead roles had Either Pacino or Deniro turned down there respective roles. Tom Sizemore was a replacement for Michael Madsen.
I remember when the trailers for this movie came out at my young age it was like sex to me or the closest I could get Two legendary actors in a crime film together on the screen and the trailer actually looked good I couldn’t wait for the film to come out. So on opening night me and my mom braved the crowds and stood on line for a 11 o’clock show and what I saw on screen didn’t disappoint me at all. It wasn’t perfect but it was glorious afterwards it was like I was in a daze and over the years it has still kept my respect and admiration. it’s probably still my favorite Michael Mann film and most memorable. That I feel defines his style the most. Now having been a producer and creator of MIAMI VICE. Cops and robbers tales are Mr. Mann’s Bread and butter.
After this film I immediately went out and bought the soundtrack which is all score, but over the years it has been indebted into my brain. It matches the deepness and the slickness of the film and the location it inhabits.
The Things I love about this film are numerous. Even though it is a loose remake of a previous TV-movie he had made back in 1989 named L.A. TAKEDOWN. Ever since 1983 the film had been written but Michael Mann said he never wanted to direct it. Then he made the TV Movie but was upset with the results and felt the story needed to be bigger and better. To pay respects to the cop who the film is based on. This film is amazing other then the fact that It stars Two acting heavyweights who are usually based in New York and places them in Los Angeles. They have many iconic roles behind them sharing the same screen (Years later they would do it again and share more scenes together but the product was not really worthy of each o there talents it was called RIGHTOEOUS KILL)
The Film is epic even though it takes place all inside of Los Angeles. It takes it’s time to give you a glimpse into each character involved in. The criminal crew but also the Police Department hunting them down. Especially Dennis Haysbert’s Sympathetic Getaway driver character. It’s a all star cast and many are on top of there games. Though Al Pacino is overacting in a lot of scenes it works in the film for his character and when he shares his one scene with DeNiro he up’s his game to remind you of how talented he is. Later in a interview he explained in a early draft of the script his character was supposed to have a cocaine habit which would explain his outbursts through out the film. But then it would also have blurred the line a little of the law and the criminal.
The film does take it’s time in many scenes To build up a tension as we basically watch the crew at first do a job and see how they work but then plan, Set-up and do another job while the cops slowly put the squeeze on them. The melodrama of there home lives are thrown in to give some depth. But it is all build up to the climactic bank robbery and shoot out through the streets after the job. You sit there and wait for it with baited breath but are never bored as you learn and experience more of the characters. So that when it does happen and some die it feels more personal to see those characters peril. When you see people you think you know do despicable actions it makes you really question yourself and what you knew about the character. The criminals are ruthless but not savages they don’t kill because they want to they do it only if they have to to protect themselves. Though it is interesting in one scene Tom Sizemore takes a child hostage to protect himself in a shoot out. Though earlier we see him play and show how much he loves and cares about his children.
The film Revels in painstaking detail all in’s and outs of the score and the set-up to it. Even most of the cop and criminal characters always look around when they speak to make sure there will be no surprises in there surroundings and to be ready if there is. There is really little action in the whole film really just a few scenes, but it feels action packed and exciting though it moves at a mid-range pace. Even in the aftermath of the bank robbery.
The score is top notch as this film is like a modern day urban western giving us insight into both sides of the law and showing the characters are similar they just each choose separate paths. But are human underneath it all Just look at the scene the cops walk into the warehouse side by side like a lawman posse. Some scenes feel almost like jazz scores as they have muted colors and the visuals match up with the score so perfectly that while there is no dialogue a lot is being said.
Many directors over the years have copied the style of this film none more notoriously then Christopher Nolan in the dark Knight that opening scene of the bank robbery is clearly inspired by this film. Plus most of the characters are dressed nicely in suits buttoned up like most of Christopher Nolan’s characters
Though it is long this is a film I can never get tired of watching after this film Michael Mann. Started Experimenting more with digital video instead of film I’m glad he filmed this in film as a sign of a end of the era and going out on a high note.
The film fits into the crime genre as a Classic at least to me.
Definitely a Addition to the film library
- Currently 5.0/5 Stars.