Heat

Rating:
Summary: A Crime Saga Masterpiece.
Review: A truly amazing film, and too good to ruin by writing a novel sized review. Cast: Among the best ever assembled. Action: Riveting all the way through the three hour movie. Plot: Cop vs Robber, but it is much more then that. The Bank Scene: One of the best action sequences in movie history. The Action: Raw and bloody, De Niro is calculating, fierce and committed, along side his nemesis and tireless rival Al Pacino. Conclusion: You won't know who you'll want to win or who you'll want to lose, brilliant and complex characters played by Oscar winners, what more can you ask for.

Rating:
Summary: "All I am is what I'm going after."
Review: Two men on opposite sides of the law, both loners obsessed by what they do. Two of contemporary cinema's greatest actors, facing off for the first time in their 30+ year-long careers. A director with an impeccable sense of style. And a tremendous cast, whose every member delivers a truly stunning performance. These are some of the ingredients that elevate Michael Mann's "Heat" high above any average thriller.

The film's mood is set from the very first camera shots, following Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) from a subway station to a hospital, to drive off with an ambulance he'll be using in his crew's next score. While we don't hear him speak a single word, his movements alone are unquestionably those of a leader; a man in absolute control of every situation. Like many of "Heat"'s crucial scenes (including the two lead characters' sole face-to-face encounters in a coffee shop and during the grand finale), the opening shots are set at night; and the hard contrast between almost black darkness and brightly shining neon lights thus established from the start is soon revealed as a hallmark of the movie's cinematography. One of the next shots shows McCauley's adversary-to-be, homicide Lieutenant Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) making love to his wife (Diane Venora). But afterwards there is no coziness; no conversation and no joint breakfast. Their relationship is disintegrating and, although fully aware that his obsession with his job is turning his life into a "disaster zone," it is ultimately Vincent who sacrifices it to that very obsession. Similarly, Neil has adopted a discipline of never letting himself get attached to anything he can't "walk out on in 30 seconds flat" if he feels the heat coming on: a discipline looming in the background even of his growing feelings for Eady (Amy Brenneman), with whom he has gotten involved against the instinct that told him to treat their encounter as a one-night-stand. Also troubled is the relationship between Neil's friend Chris (Val Kilmer) and his wife Charlene (Ashley Judd); but there it is Chris who wants to hold on to their marriage, whereas Charlene, no longer able to cope with his gambling and immaturity, wants out, although she still clearly loves him.

Vincent and Neil are pitted against each other after an armored car holdup of Neil's crew goes awry when a new man named Waingro (Kevin Gage), who will soon be revealed as a ruthless serial killer, escalates the robbery by shooting one of the guards. Knowing that they are now all up for first-degree murder, the gang don't hesitate to kill the other guards, so as not to leave a living witness. Yet, with the police on their trail they still plan two more scores; one at the Precious Metals Depository and one at a downtown bank, the latter of which in particular proves fatal when it ends in a shootout turning L.A.'s business district into a virtual war zone. Further complications arise out of Neil's attempt to sell the bearer bonds stolen in the holdup back to their owner, a shady businessman named Van Zant (William Fichtner), who ultimately pays a high price for underestimating him.

Shortly before the bank heist, Vincent and Neil have a brief but crucial encounter in a coffee shop; and what has heretofore been mere respect developed from afar grows into a feeling of empathy and kinship when they discover their similarities. Yet, neither is willing to cross the lines: He won't like it, Vincent ultimately tells Neil, but if it's between Neil and "some poor (...) whose wife you are going to turn into a widow, brother, you are going down." Neil responds that on that coin's flip side, he, too, won't hesitate to kill Vincent if he gets in his way. And with their positions thus established, the action is up and almost never lets off again, until they meet again during their final chase over LAX's airfield.

"Heat" is a self-described "Los Angeles crime saga," which by implication almost necessarily means that it's not characterized by down-to-earth realism; nor does it strive to be. Of course you do *not* walk away from a midday shootout with what looks like the better part of the LAPD's Central precinct (and unquestionably the movie's saddest unintended consequence was the real-life shootout provoked in imitation of this scene a few years later). Of course it's doubtful that guys like Vincent and Neil would ever sit down together over coffee - more likely, their encounter would have brought about Neil's arrest for murder, as Vincent by this time arguably had probable cause. Of course a real cop's loyalty would always be with his colleagues, and even respect for an adversary like Neil wouldn't propel him to hold his hand, after that same adversary had shot several of his fellow policemen. But all this is ultimately beside the point. This movie's entire dynamics are driven by the antagonism between its unexpectedly similar protagonists; and on that basis, their mutual feelings of empathy and even brotherhood are entirely credible.

The pairing of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino was a dream finally come true; for their performances alone, "Heat" deserves highest honors. While Pacino is his usual self as a supercharged bundle of dynamite, De Niro shows incredible (mannerism-free!) control, contrasting Pacino's bursts of temper with a chilling coolness that can nevertheless flip into ruthless violence in a split second, or into tenderness and emotion in his scenes with Eady. They are complemented by the stellar ensemble cast, also including, inter alia, Natalie Portman in her U.S. film debut as Vincent's troubled stepdaughter (after her very first appearance alongside Jean Reno in Luc Besson's "Leon"), John Voight and Tom Sizemore as Neil's associates Nate and Michael, Hank Azaria as Charlene's love interest and Mykelti Williamson and Wes Studi as Vincent's fellow cops. All in all, this is a truly outstanding production - and despite almost 3 hours' running time, not a minute too long.

Rating:
Summary: A good film, but....
Review: Did Pacino and DeNiro really appear together in this film? Well, it would seem so, but they have just one scene together. If you look carefully at the scene on your DVD and follow the director's edits, you never see the two men in the frame at the same time. They have a conversation at the table, but only one head is framed at a time. While this doesn't mean they didn't sit there together, it does leave open the possibility they each filmed at different times and the edits made it seem they were there together. Just a piece of trivia about this otherwise fun film. Maybe somebody else can clarify.

Rating:
Summary: A Little Disappointing.
Review: I was disappointed by 'Heat' mainly because I expected more from the awesome actors in it. Pacio and De Niro don't really bring magic to the screen like in some older films. One should check it out though, just for seeing the legends together for the first time in a film.

Rating:
Summary: Heat-A Masterpiece
Review: Heat is truely an incredible movie. It depicts the life of two men. Al Pacino, who plays the troubled cop, and De Niro who plays the stern and unbroken master thief. Although they are polar opposites by their carrers, Michael Mann, the director, trys to show the audience how alike they are. This movie is truely based on these two characters. This is shown during the coffee scene. Also, the the way Mann looks into the criminal and police "lifestyle" is not only deep, but correct. The music, the plot, THE CHARACTERS, and the filming is beautiful. This is my favorite film.

Rated R: This movie contains some scenes of violence, (including an immence LA shootout) and very bad language.

Rating:
Summary: Copland
Review: An interesting, though very overrated, policial drama about a wise cop (Al Pacino) and his nemesis (Robert de Niro), "Heat" is one of the best movies of its genre produced in the nineties. The plot is somewhat familiar and nothing all that innovative, still director Michael Mann knows how to create a captivating and nocturnal atmosphere, offering some interesting visuals and professionally filmed scenes. The character development is also above average for a movie like this, providing a couple of tense and intriguing moments. It`s also refreshing to watch L.A. at night, making for some worthwile sequences (the climatic conflict, for example). Although good, "Heat" runs for way too long, and a three-hour-long movie is not something I would watch much more than once. Still, it`s a solid effort nonetheless and deserves a look, managing to be compelling from beginning to end.

A well-told story.

Rating:
Summary: the real deal
Review: Heat is one of the best crime dramas of the 20th Century..

Rating:
Summary: Heat deserves some REAL RESPECT
Review: First off, I just want to express my appreciation for the quality script and cast that was put together for the making of this film. I can remember when this film first hit theaters back in late 1995. I also remember seeing the commercial a lot as well. However, you never heard or saw anything relating to this movie, until just recently. Now it is being played on TBS and F/X channels every other week. Well, it's about time! Most 'popular' and 'mainstream' movies only take about a year or 2 to reach commercial and constant airplay on television. Heat didn't hit 'cable' until a few years back. May I ask why??? Because nobody recognized or realized just how powerful and special this film really was. Everyone who took part in making this film..................can be seen today, 9 years later!, in current films and other outlets. So that has to account for something? Anyway, those of us who were excited about seeing the film back in 1995.........and took the time to notice and be entertained by this classic masterpiece............didn't have to wait almost 10 years to jump on the bandwagon, you know, the usual "Yeah, that movie was great, after seeing it on 'TBS' for the first time, I knew it was a classic all these many years later". Even though HEAT will forever be my favorite movie of all time...........I wish the DVD would offer more features on it. I would pay top dollar to get the out-takes and other bonus materials that other DVD's usually offer as part of the set. So if you haven't taken the time to experience and enjoy this masterpiece(or weren't aware of its existence, like most people).................then you don't know what you are missing. If you would like to view and enjoy a film which offers a top notch cast and excellent story combined in this heart-pounding, sophisticated, clever, saga then by all means, check this one out. There will never be another movie of this caliber made ever again. As I said earlier, it is about time HEAT is getting some attention and respect. It's just a shame that it took almost a whole decade. Heat will always be top notch. This movie will always be my all time favorite, for as long as I live. Heat kicks A#@!!!

Rating:
Summary: A modern crime classic
Review: First off--personally, I'd give this film five stars, but I'm rating the DVD, and it does not justice to fans .

This is just not your typical 'cop' film by a long shot. Michael Mann has been aiming for this his whole career. His Thief (1981) has similar elements, even similar scenes. Heat is actually a remake of Mann's own LA Takedown, a 1989 TV film.

With Heat, every element is in place. The cast is a dream, even for a Hollywood film. DeNiro and Pacino do some of their best work and even the ground in the story of a dedicated cop tracking the leader of a band of professional thieves. The surrounding players are all pro: Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Diane Venora, Jon Voight. The film has the perfect look, a cold, steely blue light and a much different look at LA than in any film. The soundtrack is in place as well, a mix of Eliot Goldenthal's rich score, Lisa Gerrard, Brian Eno, and Kronos Quartet.

At three hours, Mann throws in everything. The director's reverence for the material pushes the film way past genre. It's unfair to call Heat a 'heist' film or even a 'crime' film. It's a rich drama about relationships between cops and crooks and men and women.

The action is spectacular, everyone remembers the shootout scene in downtown LA. It highlights an awesome sound mix. Though it's extreme, it wasn't two years before a two man crew pulled off a bank heist and started a massive shootout with cops in North Hollywood.

The DVD sucks. For a film like this, a three hour epic from a big name director, with these stars, we get zilch. Three theatrical trailers, and French subtitles. There's a Dolby 5.1 mix, and the film is in widescreen with a nice, clean picture. I'm guessing Mann had little say in the release; this is doubtless a film that should get a commentary track and some behind the scenes material.

However, for now it's recommended on the strength of an excellent American crime film.

Rating:
Summary: The ignorance among us..
Review: It is very sad how some people still just can't get it. This film explores the true definitions of honor and respect, and what do some people say about it? "uh.... it should have been more like dirty harry... uh uh..." Oh, how profound an individual you are my friend.

It is intellects like these that leave the world in pieces, never to fix or change anything that is wrong. I guarantee you these are the same people who think "The Fast and The Furious" is an award worthy film, watch "reality" tv shows (i.e. Average Joe), and vote the new Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears songs onto the Billboard top ten.

Bottom line, "Heat" is an epic. Pacino and De Niro are epic. The film is about character. It is about true REALITY, what the world is really like out there. Life isn't a big bowl of cherries 24/7 like our culture tries to depict (especially to our youth) today. We all don't have the golden life, we all don't have our rich mommies and daddies to live off of.

There bad things out there, and people who have to deal with them to protect all the happy shiny people. The decisions these people make are based on them having the qualities that are portrayed in this film. The "Dirty Harry" buffs need to crawl back under their rock because its a bunch of B/S. Doesn't work that way holmes. In the real world these "tough" guys get the long kiss goodnight. You do what is honorable without letting love or friendship stand in your way. That is what makes the difference.

After having said all of that, I will conclude with saying this is a must see but only for mature individuals who have depth of perception and the ability to think outside of what has become the box. If you think "The Fast and The Furious" is academy award worthy material, "reality" tv shows are classic, and vote for teeny music on the billboard... stay away from this. Stick with what you can handle, this will only overwhelm you.