A Great Hit From The 1990's, Go Michael Mann.

Rating: 9/10 (4 September 2014)

A truly great idea for a 1990's blockbuster, made all the more bigger by announcing it would finally feature two of the finest American actors to ever grace the screen (Robert De Niro & Al Pacino). "HEAT", is a powerful movie with many meaningful moments, and a downtown L.A shootout scene regarded as one of the very best.
We follow the life of professional thief Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro), who frequently commits high profit crimes with him gang (Among them is Val Kilmer, who is also fantastic). As they prepare to go their separate ways they decide to commit one final heist, before some face the challenge of settling into their new kind of "Retired" lifestyle. At the same time we cut to the lifestyle of Police Lt. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino), facing heat (Pun intended) from both his wife and work life. All this and more while trying to help his young severely depressed step-daughter (Natalie Portman).
Throughout the film which is admittedly quite lengthy, it shines most of all when De Niro and Pacino meet. Their first tense confrontation starts at the coffee shop as both find themselves being not so different from each other, to the next time when they're shooting away at each other senselessly. All in all, the film builds to an obvious yet satisfying climax that makes you wonder all along who you were rooting for. "Heat" is very admirable. Michael Mann obviously had great affection for his story, and he executes the style perfectly. Watching that iconic shoot-out on a big TV with a loud surround system, is an experience every action film lover has to witness.
Final Verdict: Add the family morales that John Woo would incorporate, along with the suspenseful face-to-face moments you would swear Hitchcock influenced them. All makes "HEAT" one hell of a force to be reckoned with. 9/10.