MUBI

This is one of the first Artistic Action Thriller’s I have ever seen. When it comes to the action scenes the film really kicks it into high gear. The film’s tone is constantly shifting it’s moody and eclectic. It plays like a more violent longer epsiode of the series. That plays out almost like an opera.

Jamie Foxx’s character seems so stilted. Iunderstand he is supposed to be more military trained but he feels so stiff i feel that qulaity would give away the fact that he was a cop, So it’s strangehis character would work in vice, Where it is mostly undercover work. Plus his character was always supposed to be the gentleman playboy. Here he seems more like he is trying to be a captain. Which leads to the characters backgrounds they are very well funded and have a lot of weapons at they’re disposal for a vice squad they seem more like a swat team unit. They seem like they are supposed to take down more hookers and pimps and small time dealers then drug cartels.

Colin Farell’s fine though crocket was always the vietnam vet on the show. Here he is more redneck made good. This is a role Cloin could do in his sleep and his mullet is a little distracting not making him seem like the cool playboy his character is supposed to be. It would have been moreinteresting to see an actor stretch into this role since it seems to be a character who is sleezy with a heart of gold who can kick ass when needed. I like to imagine an actor Like Matthew McCognahey Taking him out of those dreadful romantic comedies and give him a chance to prove himself as a actor whoshowed promise in films like. DAZED AND CONFUSED, A TIME TO KILL and FRAILTY. He certainly has the Physique for it. Him or maybe Mark Walberg.

Unfortunately the rest of the crew don’t get a chance to shine. They are morelike background Scenery or back-up. i like this film it is unpredictable and unstable but it also has a smoothness to it. It keeps a calm veneer most of the time until it matters. The Villains aren’t all that memorable either, butthe aryan gang more then make up for them in viciousness. Then the relative laid back drug cartel whose bark seems worse then then they’re actual bite. The film feels a bit long winded at points but is certainly worth watching.

In fact if there had been a sequels or sequels, the Crew could have taken on more powerful adveseies while dealing with their own personal problems. like a Dramatic LETHAL WEAPON Series of films. Maybe even relocating The films would have double crosses and labrynthine plots and adventures, Maybe old cases and aquaintances from the past show up. I guess make it like better episodes of the show just updated and a bit more extreme.

One thing the film definately lacks is a sense of humor everything in the film is dead serious. It’s shot in High definition that gives the film a crisp look and sets a diminished jazzy tone.

GRADE: B

Wow, this movie just gets better and better each time i watch it. I really cant believe I’m saying this, but its true. And its not a diss too Michael Mann, because i think he’s an amazing filmmaker (as I’m sure some of you have heard me say plenty of times already). But a miami vice movie was something i had NO interest in seeing. I didn’t care who was directing it. I guess that’s why i never got around to watching it until late last year. In the last few months, this has become one of my “go-to” movies, when i cant decide what to watch or just need something to put on the TV. Even when I’m doing something else, and cant pay attention to the television, this is the perfect movie to have on mute. I mean, you don’t need to pay attention to the plot to realize how beautifully this movie is shot. And I’m saying this without even owning one of those nice hd TVs or a blu-ray player (i still own a big tube television). I don’t know how many of you have actually been to miami, but Ive been there quite a few times, and as far as I’m concerned, Michael Mann does an amazing job of catching the cities true vibe, just like how Robert Altman shows Los Angeles or how Woody Allen or Martin Scorsese capture New York City.
In the film, Jamie Foxx and Colin Ferrell star as the iconic TV characters “Crockett & Tubbs”, who go undercover to infiltrate a major drug operation run by a Spanish kingpin whos in a partnership with local miami skinheads.
I really think this movie is underrated. People look at me like I’m crazy when i tell them how much i like this movie. When it comes to action films that involve cops, I think people have gotten way too caught up in that cliche; “gritty, realistic, cop drama” genre. I mean, its MIAMI VICE. this isn’t hill street blues or law & order. When you watch miami vice, you should put all those images of detailed forensics and cops walking the beat on rainy new york city streets, and just enjoy the movie for what it is: great entertainment. Don’t get me wrong, its not like the movie doesn’t have a few plot holes or flaws in logic. But so did the TV show (which Michael Mann also produced), and people didn’t seem to have a problem with that. Why does the TV show, which is considered a “classic” get a pass, while the movie takes scrutiny from people, who i imagine haven’t even seen the movie, but just judged the book (…or movie) by its cover. Sure Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell aren’t Daniel Day Lewis and Robert Deniro (in his prime), but their performances in this movie get no complaints from me. And the supporting cast, made up actors known mostly for their indie and arthouse work, really round out the cast: Eddie Marsan (vera drake and happy go lucky), Isaach Debankole (ghost dog, white material, manderlay), Justin Theroux (mulholland drive and inland Empire) and John Hawkes (winters bone, me and you & everyone we know). The score to miami vice does the job, but its still not as good as the music in Mann’s other films like the insider or heat. In fact, Mann’s ear for the use of good music in a film is often slept on too.
Furthermore, Miami Vice was the movie that made me realize the “eye” that Michael Mann has for setting up BEAUTIFUL shots. I always knew there was something about the “look” of his movies that stood out among other studio films (even before he switched to digital filmmaking). Even a movie of Mann’s that’s so-so, like Ali, or not very good at all, like Public Enemies, still has better cinematography than most contemporary films.

Though not Michael Mann’s best work, it’s certainly not as bad as a lot of people would lead you to believe. It’s not a movie heavy on action…instead it’s a drama that’s main focus is to have you engrossed in the world that these characters occupy. And no, this definitely isn’t “Bad Boys”, there is almost no humor at all in this movie, it’s very serious stuff which I personally find refreshing. It’s also more of a love story, focusing on Colin Ferrel and the girl that he is courting throughout much of the movie. The action that is there however is top notch. Worth seeing at the very least.

(Originally written August 1, 2006)

For about an hour and a half, I was squirming in my seat, dying for Miami Vice to end. It was absolute torture with actors impossible to understand because of accents, over-the-top style without substance and uninteresting writing that leaves the audience bored. The visual style is distinct and indicative of director Michael Mann, yet the plot is muddled in the hyperkinetic editing. The redemption in this over-stylized but sometimes enjoyable excursion is the final act with action sequences that stay away from manipulative suspense and simply knocks the audience to the ground. Mann is the master of the contemporary cinematic shootout, and his reputation holds up with this film. The strength of the action is evident in the audible reactions from the audience members, expressions of shock or satisfaction. Although the writing is mostly terrible, the performances are still impressive. Jamie Foxx is a talent to be reckoned with, assuming his character with an unnerving intensity that makes him a complex protagonist. Ultimately, the film is overlong and confusing, even if it may or may not be worth the money to simply see the payoff on the big screen.