A Los Angeles Crime Saga - Of epic proportions

Rating: 10/10 (4 July 2000)

Heat is an example of what can be done with a very worn genre, namely "cops and robbers", when at the hands of a master director, in this case Michael Mann.
Mann has taken what is ultimately a simple premise, a bank robbery, and made it into a saga.
Heat is the story of a tight crew of well trained crooks who execute highly organized scores, led by Neil McCauley (DeNiro). When one of these robberies does not go entirely to plan the LAPD Robbery-Homicide squad begins to investigate, headed by Vincent Hanna (Pacino). Neil's crew initially unaware of the LAPD surveillance plans two more scores, one of which is an incredibly daring daylight bank robbery.
The action scenes are comparatively few when compared to other movies of this genre however when there is action it is executed as realistically as possible. Definitely no "John Woo" style action here. The gun fight in the street is one of the most realistic depictions of a gun battle ever portrayed on the big screen.
The character development is fairly in-depth for the number of characters in the film. By far one of my favorite scenes is the coffee shop when our two main characters meet face to face for the first time and compare their lives, which are not all that dissimilar. I did not fully understand the "Waingro serial killer" sub plot, perhaps it was to give a little background as to the type of person Waingro was. We also get to see that the characters in the film are "real" by showing us their life "behind the scenes" so to speak - not just when they are working.
Mann must have done a great deal of research into this movie. Many aspects of the film are very realistic. The characters of both police and the criminals, the police procedures, the use of informants, the execution of the action scenes, the weapons used - all very accurate (or as accurate as it gets in Hollywood).
The soundtrack for Heat by itself is brilliant. The soundtrack is collaboration of several artists all of which contribute towards a very powerful score. When combined with the movie it enhances the mood incredibly. Tracks of note would be the opening titles "Heat performed by the Kronos Quartet, Moby's closing titles "God Moving Over the Face of the Waters" and his rendition of "New Dawn Fades."
The cinematography is also outstanding. Mann did not use any soundstages - the whole film was filmed on location in and around LA. This is apparent with some of the moody lighting created in the dawn and dusk scenes with the smooth, deep blue lighting.
All in all Heat is a very powerful film that delivers on all levels. Action, love, betrayal, romance, tragedy, suspense - Heat has it all.