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Summary: This is my all time favorite movie.
Review: The first time I saw this film I hated it! It was way too violent and I couldn't understand the ending. And yet I rented it again and discovered - this is a remarkable film. Under it's violent exterior lies a story about what it is to be human -the struggle between good and evil. There is an unforgettable moment in this film and I've never seen any like it in the endless catologe of films about 'good guy vs. bad guy.' In a movie that host so many scenes of the most spectacular 'true to life' violence, it's true power lies in a coffee shop scene where DeNiro and Pacino put aside the "cat and mouse game" for a few moments and have coffee. It is here that the center of the film unfolds and in a way that only two veteran actors can do it. They realize they are the same man. Super crimial - super cop, only these two really understand what the other's life must be like - not the women they love or the crews they work with. They realize when they look at each other, they are looking in the mirror. And the conclusion they draw from this unsual revelation? Let the "game" continue. And it does, spectacularly, but now, neither one can "win." Also stars Val Kilmer, Ashley Judd, Natalie Portman, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Hank Azira and amazing music and camera work.
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Summary: Loved it, loved it, loved it
Review: This is by far the best movie of the 90's, it's so slick. Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer were excellent. Not once was I bored, there is so much action. This movie will leave you wanting to see more.
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Summary: De Niro And Pacino. Enough Said...
Review: Two men, each a consummate professional in his respective field-- but on opposite sides of the law-- become adversaries in a high-stakes cat and mouse game from which only one can emerge victorious, in the action/drama "Heat," directed by Michael Mann and starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. Neil McCauley (De Niro) is a professional criminal who makes his living by "Taking down scores;" it's all he knows, and what he does best. Vincent Hanna (Pacino) is a Detective with the L.A.P.D. whose main reason for "being" is to stop guys like McCauley from doing what they do best. It's what "he" does best. And when circumstances put them together on the same playing field, it becomes a battle of wits and tenacity, a matter of who will outwit whom and when; for each man is adamant in intent, and it becomes clear early on that neither will ever acquiesce, withdraw or concede the game to his opponent. McCauley lives by a code that allows him to walk away if he knows the heat is around the corner, but only to another space on the same board; and Hanna owns the board. What follows is an intense study in the dynamics of uncompromising conviction; and the tension begins with the opening sequence and continues to build throughout the film, right up to the very end. In McCauley, De Niro has created a character that is more than just a bit disconcerting; a hardened criminal, ready to kill-- indiscriminately-- at the drop of a hat, anyone who gets in his way, but with an outward appearance that belies his true nature. This guy is anybody's next door neighbor; the software salesman or the manager of the local A&P who would blend in with the crowd anywhere because he is so nondescript. A man whose life is a ruse, hiding his psychotic, sociopathic instincts behind a facade of normalcy. And De Niro plays him with such integrity that it makes him one of the more terrifying characters he's ever brought to the screen, not because of what he seems to be, but because of what you know he is capable of. His portrayal of Max Cady in "Cape Fear" was, by comparison, the outward expression of what McCauley is underneath, and which he conceals so well; With Cady at least you could discern the evil of the man just by looking at him-- a man the likes of which you would cross the street to avoid if you saw him coming. McCauley is the one you would invite in, never suspecting the truth. And that is what makes him such a powerful character. Pacino's Hanna, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. He's boisterous, loud, and in all ways larger than life; he swaggers and intimidates. And why? Because it gets results. The manner he affects gives him the presence he needs to ferret out the criminal element and to keep them in line; if someone chooses to play in his court, they're going to know he's there, and he's not going to let them forget it. It's his turf, his rules, end of story. It's a purposefully over-the-top performance, because that's who Hanna is, or at least that's the face he puts on for the job. Underneath he's just a man looking for a little peace in his life, a part of his own personal puzzle that has so far eluded him, in no small part due to the dedication he brings to his work. The necessity of dealing with reality at the level he must day in and day out is simply not conducive with the ability to leave the job at the door when the shift is over. For a man like Hanna, the shift is never over. And the fact that McCauley-- at the other end of the spectrum-- is made of the same cloth, is what gives this film such explosive intensity. The exemplary supporting cast includes Val Kilmer (Chris), Jon Voight (Nate), Tom Sizemore (Michael), Diane Venora (Justine Hanna), Amy Brenneman (Eady), Ashley Judd (Charlene), Natalie Portman (Lauren), Hank Azaria (Alan) and Kevin Gage (Waingro). "Heat" is a hard-hitting, memorable film, impeccably directed and delivered by Mann; an entertaining and action-packed character study with an adrenaline rush that never lets you off the hook for a moment. And how great to see De Niro and Pacino together; that alone is worth the price of admission. If you're ready for some excitement, check this one out; it'll take you to the edge and keep you there, and by the time it's over you'll be ready for more of the same-- and that is what movies are all about. That is the magic.
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Summary: De Niro, how did you do that?
Review: I only want to acknowledge one thing. De Niro's character in the film. He is sublimely mezmerising. You just can not stop looking at the character, and wonder what a great actor Bob is. It is just, incredible, what a method acting he has used to become Neil. The rest is good also, but De Niro is the winner here, without a doubt. Once again, De Niro's expressions, mannerisms, behaviour, its sooo cool...
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Summary: if you feel the heat coming around the corner
Review: I did'nt think it would ever happen,my three favorite actors in one movie and a good one at that.Val,Al,and Robert do a great job in this highly complex movie.If you go to the 'fridge while this one's on,put it on pause.My wife and I watched it three or four times before completly understanding certain parts of it.Now we've watched a couple of other times.The sound is great but I hate 16:9 ratio.Like I said in some of my other reveiws,I did not pay for a Sony only to get baloney.
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Summary: The Pinnacle of Michael Mann
Review: Actually based on an NBC TV Movie, "L.A. Takedown", Michael Mann revived the original script, tweaked it here an there and recruited an all star cast. The film is the pinnacle of Mann's modern crime drama sagas (Manhunter, Miami Vice, Band of the Hand). It truly is an epic. The performances are first rate by everyone in the cast. The cinematography is pure Mann, stylish and intense. Mann is the ultimate purveyor of modern-noir. The soundtrack fits well as Mann has a reputation for employing the best cutting edge artists going back to his Miami Vice days. The sdtrk. contains works by Moby, Kronos Quartet, Ultramarine and Brian Eno. The film revolves around a group of state of the art robbers who are tracked by an equally brilliant detective. The plot provides the backdrop for the character studies in the movie which revolve around not just one or two actors but an entire ensemble cast. This is a hard thing to pull off even in a 3 hour long movie. Mann does a fantastic job of making L.A. look both modern high tech and gothic at the same time. All the elements of Mann's previous works are here. Stylish, moody, intense. A visual and sonic treat, the anti-climatic bank robbery scene is sure to go down in history as one of the most intense action sequences ever filmed. Better than even DePalma's train station scene in The Untouchables. How this film was overlooked at the Oscars is beyond me. I guess the anti-capital punishment themes of Dead Man Walking were more important to Hollywood's left wing leanings. None the less, Heat should be remembered as the stand out film of 1995. It is the classic crime film of the 90's.
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Summary: BEST CRIME DRAMA EVER
Review: One of the best movies of all time. Gritty, well written, and superbly acted. Action scenes are great, and who can beat that cast? What a cast!! As well as Kilmer, DeNiro and Pachino, there are awesome performances by Dennis Haysbert (one of my favorites), Ashley Judd (yummy), Tom Sizemore, Hank Azaria, Jeremy Piven, Amy Brenneman, Jon Voight, Natalie Portman, and even Henry Rollins & Tone Loc!! A must see.
Rating:
Summary: great movie
Review: It really is a great movie. The bank robbery thing is the best. Also impressive De Niro's work (very unusual, very serious, no usual face expressions that you can see in all his other movies). I consider this movie his best work.
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Summary: Great teaming of Pacino and DeNiro
Review: A film that has two of the best actors of the last 25 or 30 years-Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro has to be good,and Heat definately is.They are on opposite sides of the law,with DeNiro as a master criminal,and Pacino as the cop who wants to bring him in.There are some other very good actors and actresses,too,including Val Kilmer,Ashley Judd,Diana Venora,Amy Brenneman,Tom Sizemore,Jon Voight,Mykelti Williamson,and Natalie Portman just to name a few.There is some great action,and it has one of the best movie shootouts ever.It's a very long movie,but extremely entertaining.
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Summary: Mann's directing is godlike
Review: Mann uses silence and a wide aspect ratio to create a desolate atmosphere that leaves an intensity that lasts the whole film through. Complaints of lenght are rediculous considering this is under 3 hours and is entertaining the whole way through. Some of the greatest actors in the biz are found on the screen including DeNiro, Pacino, and Sizemore. Definately worth a gander.
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