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Member since:11.07.2000
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There was a real buzz about this film when it was released because for the first time, two of the biggest names in Hollywood were finally sharing the screen. In a heist movie with lots of gun battles and car chases. And Val Kilmer.
I have a feeling that this review isn't going to make me very popular. I know that Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino are widely regarded as two of the greatest actors of their generation, but I have to say that I strongly disagree. I realise that they've done a lot for the method acting style, but I really can't understand why. DeNiro mumbles his way through every film, shrugging and cocking his head to one side in place of actually bringing a tangible something to any of his characters. And he ALWAYS plays either gangsters or psychopaths. And Pacino substitutes shouting for real intensity on a regular basis. And here they get to do it together.
The problem with this film is that it is genuinely overshadowed by its stars. But then, what do you expect from the remake of a low-budget classic? The story isn't that remarkable, it's just another take on the "bank job gone wrong" scenario. It's shot in flashy style by the (Michael) Mann who brought us "Miami Vice" and "The Last of the Mohicans", but it goes on for far too long. And I can't help but think that Al Pacino's jaded cop brings everything on himself, mainly because he can't let go of the job. Surely there must be some police officers out there who can cut themselves off from work once they go home; otherwise no-one would do the job.
It's not necessarily a bad movie - the supporting cast acquit themselves well (with the exception of Val Kilmer, who is once more out-acted by a wig) and there are some nice set pieces. It just drags on for far too long and flogs an old concept to death.
As a DVD, you get the film, a choice of languages and a screen selection menu...and that's it. The menus aren't even animated and have no sound. But I suppose when a film has received as much critical acclaim as this one, you can sell it on its own merits.
If you're a big fan of DeNiro and/or Pacino, this is precisely your cup of tea, if not, buy something else...anything else.
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Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Action/Adventure - Director: Gore Verbinski - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Bill Nighy, Keira Knightley, Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Chow Yun-Fat
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
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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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Heat
Jul 17th, 2001
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