Rating: Summary: Widescreen's Review Is Off Review: Why did Widescreen Review give this dvd a 5 for picture quality? It has pixel/digital noise problems throughout the movie. The picture is at best a 3. Even with dnr, you can't remove or tone it down. Audio wise, it's one of the best dolby digital soundtracks available. One last question, why would a cunning, intelligent person like De Niro's character come out in the open to shoot Pacino when he could just have easily blast him from the safety of the brick wall? Furthermore, why did De Niro wait so long to shoot Pacino? He cleary had him dead to rights. It's the old Hollywood (typical) lesson, the good guys always win. Overall, a great movie, illogical ending. END
Rating: Summary: Heat grew into one of my all-time favorites Review: I saw this in the theater which, postmodern as this may sound, was not nearly as rewarding as the repeated viewings on HBO and video since then. The bombast of either of the violent heists portrayed was TOO MUCH (although in the heart of the 11-minute long second one, a pacifist female friend turned to me derisively and asked "You're in heaven now, aren't you?"), and I remember leaving the theatre thinking that every scene with a female in the movie was a pace killer. In the comfort of your home, though, you can better absorb the character flourishes, the dialogue drowned out in the theater, and either love or hate Pacino's over the top line readings (I was so glad Mann vindicated his direction of Al in Heat with the actor's only recent downplayed performance in this year's The Insider) while marvelling at how, aw, screw it, COOL Deniro is in this. Another genius kudo to Mann for his loyal use of actors in brilliant bit parts. Any part longer than 2 lines in this movie is completely rounded, from Danny Trejo to Tone(!)Loc...and my heart breaks a little every time I see Ashley Judd's beaten yet defiant tip off to Val Kilmer.
Rating: Summary: nothing left to say Review: i was left speechless after watching this movie. having deniro or pacino on any movie is like a stamp of Quality. it's guaranteed to satisfy you... thank you very much.
Rating: Summary: HEAT Review: This one is a must for any action fan. Pacino and DeNiro are both super, and the bank robbery getaway, downtown LA streets in broad daylight, is easily one of the most awesome scenes ever filmed.
Rating: Summary: Worth seeing just for the firefight alone Review: The characters are powerful and well developed. The cinematography is beautiful with tight, defined views. Notably, the director, Michael Mann, has a great eye for consistent detail. This is one of the only movies where actors actually reload their weapons and visibily carry spare ammunition with them in scenes BEFORE they have to use it.What really sets Heat apart is an incredible firefight sequence as the robbers leave a bank. The police arrive and tremendous gun fight ensues. The raw energy of the weaponry leaps off the screen. You feel the robbers' CAR-15s (compact M-16s) rocking under full automatic and hope that you are never on the receiving end of such a barrage. The police respond in kind. All the weapons have different sounds. You feel the bullets whiz by, strike cars, and their targets. A wide array of automatic weaponry is used. With a good multimedia system, I can imagine viewers flinching.
Rating: Summary: very good Review: I must say that the sounds of the guns being fired during the bank robbery were very realistic (I would know). I don't think that the cops would fire back at the robbers in the heart of LA. I think the cops would let them go in the car until they were away from civilians. That's my opinion on the bank scene. Overall, I thought this movie is ahead of any other dumb crime/action movie, although some people might think it's too long.
Rating: Summary: Suspend your disbelief Review: The problems with Crime as depicted in films are many. You have fantastic plots, poor acting, you dislike all the characters or you simply can't suspend your disbelief. Thats fatal. Here is the ultimate, free of all of those. Not only that though, the acting is a treat and the pace so wonderfully gripping. One gripe! Yes, all of the characters are nice with high moral values, even the police? Thats the appeal of the film, whoever you are you just can't help but feel empathy with someone in it, a must for likability. Who doesn't want to be Neil? Top marks, puts all others in the shade!
Rating: Summary: In my opinion, the best crime film ever made. Review: The twentieth century produced some pretty interesting films. It almost makes me excited to see what we can accomplish in this century. But the twentieth century can create hundreds of extrordinary crime films like the incredible "L.A. Confidential" or the masterpeice "The Usual Suspects", only one has ever struck me so deep that I can confidently say it is my favorite crime-oriented film ever. It is a tough competition, but "Heat" has so many incredible elements, competition becomes a memory. This film, a glossy, gritty, pure, emotional, and powerful character-study, delves into the volatile black and white existence of crime in L.A., primarily focusing on the skillful and intelligent heists performed by a band of uneasy theives. This gang, comprised of a genius leader (DeNiro), a relationship-troubled right-hand man (Kilmer), and a sadistic killer (Sizemore), face off with an intuitive and remarkable detective (Pacino), who threatens the gang of theives at whatever occasion possible, but always cautious. Pacino, playing a man so good at his job that his remaining life rots, finds a common ground in that respect with DeNiro, also a capable and intelligent pro who leaves little verve in his personal life. The characterization of these two are performed well, extremely well for that matter, and whatever surrounds them seems enlightened with this perfection. However, the film is due more credit to the directing and cinematography than anything (well, perhaps the soundtrack is a good rival at that.) Ultimately, "Heat" is about the point at which these mirror images meet, and what they have standing behind them that eats away at their integrity and focus. In fair warning they finally confront eachother, but the situation lacks a sense of rivalry, rather, courtesy. It's quite a contrast to an enviroment of violence, hate, depression, and social darwinism, but a welcome one, that peers into the soul of this life scheme: that men conflict eachother, and do what they do because that's the way things are, that is their life. And it's respected here as a common passion, a passion for your craft. It's inevitable that they will cross eachother, but will do so knowing that each man is no different from the other; they play the same game on different teams. Some people will complain about the film's length, but if the film were any different than it is, the results would be disastrous and unforgivable. What we have here is a profound gesture of insight into the criminal-law enforcement relationship, one that details a rare but true understanding of crime and it's contenders, of two lives that deal with similair issues in a depressing and sadistic world. It is only a tragic coincidence that these two men's places have been taken against eachother. However, nothing can be done to make what must happen eventually any easier, not even the law. This film is highly stylized and chalk full of violence and colorful-metaphors, but you won't find violence this mature and real anywhere else, especially with the explosive intensity. "Heat" comes from that deep place, that primal but true dominion in the human soul, the bluest flame one can see without being burned. I think that the extremities to which this film delivers its audience is what makes the film in its entirety. The less than subtle truth of understanding that awakens between the distant geniuses contributes to this timeless masterpeice. I cried at the end of this film.
Rating: Summary: Heat Review: I saw this film in the theaters when it was originally released. However, upon purchasing the DVD I discovered that the widescreen format is the only availible medium for viewing this great movie. Widescreen, without the benefit of a HDTV unit, makes any movie worthless, as you are left with large amounts of your scren unused. This is especially true on my computer, where the screen is already smaller than usual. If possible, please e-mail me and let me know when if ever this film will be offered in the standard format. Sorry to use your site as a vehicle for my grievances against the Co. which released the film. Thanks. -E.
Rating: Summary: One Two Punch! Review: It's the best face off between two great actors, and it has the most realistic gun fight in any movie to date! The sounds are perfect and MUST be heard in Digital 5.1 to be truly appreciated. It's also a decent Val Kilmer movie for his fans.
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