Heat

Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece, but not the DVD you'd hope for....
Review: Well, Warner Brothers should be applauded for releasing it for such a low price, but the lack of extras is dissapointing when it comes to a movie like this. I've seen pages of Michael Mann's script with his annotations that are unbelieveable in their density and psychology, and there has to be scenes which have never been released before (what's with Val Kilmer's arm?) - I'd love to hear his commentary because there is so much thought that underlies every moment in his films, or at least an interview about the movie, maybe even a comparison with scenes from an earlier version of the same film he made for television called L.A. Takedown. Picture quality is of a high standard (but not staggering), and the sound is absolutely incredible (the guns here sound like real guns, so if you live in a cramped apartment building like me, don't crank it up, or you'll have the neighbors calling the cops), and for a price like this, not bad all around. Worthy addition to anyone's collection.

Rating:
Summary: Wow!What a movie!De Niro and Pacino set the screen on fire!
Review: If there's been a more underrated film this decade, then by all means, let me know. I was nothing less than completely blown away when I first saw this film, and after nearly 25 additional viewings, it maintains its edge and its extraordinary brilliance. Al Pacino is terrific in his role as Detective Vincent Hanna. He moves through the film with a facade of professionalism and coolness, but he simultaneously emanates the inner demons that have pushed his marriage to the brink of disaster. Robert De Niro is unforgettable as master thief Neil McCauley. He maintains his own sense of coolness, but there is a lurking urgency radiating from his demeanor. This is one of his best roles of the '90s, and he gives it his all. Val Kilmer has his greatest role here as De Niro's partner. The supporting cast that includes Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Diane Venora, Ashley Judd, Wes Studi, and Ted Levine is absolutely incredible. Michael Mann's screenplay is vivid and brilliant, with expert character analyses, and his direction is masterful. The shootout scene in the streets is one of the best action sequences in recent memory, and the ending shootout between Pacino and De Niro is equally mesmerizing. This ending scene is also the most moving of the film, as we see two men who seem worlds apart reach a mutual understanding with each other, as they both realize that they're more alike than they could ever have imagined. Moby's beautiful composition "God Moving Over the Face of Waters" illuminates this scene, and truly touches a chord in the heart. Forget "Braveheart," "Apollo 13," "12 Monkeys," etc. "Heat" is 1995's finest film, and it is one of the finest of the decade.

Rating:
Summary: Action with a plot
Review: This is one of my favorite movies. The Movie just has this beautiful qaulity about it. It was directed by the Miami Vice director, Michael Mann. The colors of the city at night are great. There is always something going on and not many dull moments. It has the best shootout that I have ever seen on film. the sound is fantastic. i saw this in the theater and just sat there after the movie and wondered why all movies can't be this great. I have rented this numerous times and never am disapointed. Even if you don't buy it you should rent it.

Rating:
Summary: Intense, realistic portrayal
Review: The weapons handling in this movie were fantastic, no doubt from the training given to the actors by the ex British S.A.S (Special Air Service) trooper, Andy Macnab, from Bravo Two Zero fame. The S.A.S are the best of the best, so when a person trained by them is going to do the training, you know the "shoot-em-up" scenes will be amazing, and they were. A great cast gives a solid performance throughout the whole movie, and the ending had a particularly good twist. See it

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous!
Review: This was the best movie of 1995, hands-down. Mann threw in an inspired scene of the generals meeting before the battle...over coffee. Pacino and DeNiro worked well together to make a movie about men in a gritty, no-holds-barred performance.

Rating:
Summary: Ashley Judd is supple and DeNiro ROCKS
Review: This movie is great. The cast is perfect. This is a movie you like more the more you watch it. Pacino can only be appreciated once you get past the overstated fascade and actually begin to understand his character. DeNiros tone and facial expressions are excellent.

Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable Stuff
Review: This was one hell of a ride, a tense cop thriller and an incredible cast, what more could you want? De Niro and Pacino are brilliant as usual and Val Kilmer plays a great role also. The best part has to be the shoot out in the street when a perfectly planned robbery gets foiled and turns the street into a warzone, a part you can watch again and again. And a film which never lets up even until the exciting climax.

Rating:
Summary: Best film of 1995
Review: Definitely one of the most underrated films of all time. Most people complain about how "boring" it is (they probably said the same of Miami Vice, as well as Thief and Manhunter). That's the thing about Micheal Mann, either you love his work or hate it. Which is a shame, as his work is among the most stylistic in Hollywood. Its just beautiful to watch (not to mention hear! Buy the soundtrack, too!). The centerpiece of Heat is, of course, the bank robbery scene. Take a close look at the credits: all the weapons training was done by Andy McNab (Bravo Two-Zero, Immediate Action). Val Kilmer can change mags in a CAR-15 with the best of 'em. I was a little disappointed that the finale, though intense, is basically just a copy of Bullitt.

Rating:
Summary: Pacino ruins an otherwise brilliant film
Review: It is amazing how one actor can drag a production that suceeds on every possible level into the gutter, but that is what Pacino manages to do. His screaming, arm waving, tasteless performance is so over the top, and so annoying, than he contaminates the entire movie.

Rating:
Summary: Is that the best Mann could do?
Review: I've always felt terribly let down by the famous cafe scene in this movie (the one in which DeNiro and Pacino sit across from one another). While it's incredible to see two such huge stars in the same frame, the dialogue makes me cringe. Somehow, this "I'm going to have to take you down," "No, I'm going to have to take YOU down" posturing demeans both characters and needlessly foreshadows their fateful meeting in the film's climax. I figure that once Mann got these two guys in their seats he was just bowled over by what he had and didn't know quite how to handle it. That's a shame, because that scene could have been so much more.