No offence intended, but if you are among the countless scores of people who consider themselves film aficionados, and yet you still need to read this to decide whether or not to buy this DVD, well then you are probably a cinematic layman.
Heat is lauded by critics and fans alike, and it would not be an exaggeration to describe Heat as one of the best crime films ever made. It is easily Michael Mann’s best film and if you’re a fan of his work then this will clearly be for you. But if you happen to dislike his films you will surely find something in Heat to make you reconsider. It is Michael Mann's masterpiece. It comes before 'Collateral' and 'Miami Vice' and is outclasses them both on all counts
It takes the age old story of the veteran cop stalking the career criminal, and expands it beyond the very outer reaches of even the best heist film. It leaves even the most slick and accomplished thrillers dead in the water.
Lieutenant detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) from L.A’s Robbery Homicide Division, is put onto the trail of a heavily armed and highly professional team of armed robbers, after they knock over (literally) an armoured car. The team are lead by a veritable criminal mastermind by the name of Neil McCauley (De Niro). From this very opening action sequence you can tell the film is as well constructed as a billion dollar hest. What follows is a Cat and Mouse psychological duel between De Niro and Pacino, where the roles of Cat and Mouse continually switch. It has such a rich and detailed plot that it defies my abilities to describe it in the space I have and do it justice. It is gritty and intelligent. The benchmark by which crime films should be measured.
It is brilliantly written and beautifully acted. Though De Niro and Pacino understandably hog the screen, the cast is possibly the best line up I have seen in a thriller, outside of Batman Begins. With Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tome Sizemore, Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd and Dennis Haysbert all playing intrinsic supporting roles. Along side these are a whole host of others you will surely recognise.
The DVD is packed with hours of interesting and informative extras, rather than the usual pointless gimmicky stuff you get with lesser films.
This is stellar stuff. Incredible set-pieces. Dead-on dialogue. Ultra-realistic story. In-depth character psychology. THE BEST FIREFIGHT EVER FILMED.
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Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: K.C. Bascombe - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jesse James, Rachel Skarsten, Charles Powell, Linda Purl, Kevin Zegars
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Advantages: Perfect Casting, Story, Action, directing - the list goes on forever! Disadvantages: None what so ever - although at present, there are no DVD extras.
EMOO02 09.09.2004 ·
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