The Heat Is On

Rating: 9/10 (23 April 2013)

When cops and robbers square off in the city there's a deluxe of human intrigue and drama to be on display; when Al Pacino and Robert De Niro face off on-screen in Heat there's solely cinematic bliss. These two Hollywood heavyweights carry their weight to help create a classic good guy vs. bad guy telling. Heat stands as one of our finest crime-dramas. It has great directing, great writing and supreme acting. The acting is as good as it gets. The cast assembled rivals most any movie. De Niro and Pacino are both awesome in their lead roles. Val Kilmer is outstanding, like he often is, Ashley Judd makes her mark here and Jon Voight delivers some polished acting grit. I must mention a young Natalie Portman who reveals her brilliant acting aptitude in limited screen time. Michael Mann does a terrific job behind the camera. His direction is sharp and poignant. Mann's style is very effective for the course of this movie and he really excels during the action sequences. Heat has a very good story. The primary plot is excellent, but some of the supporting plot lines are lacking. There are lingering scenes scattered throughout. Heat's intensity wanes in and out, and it does not quite sustain a desirable level of suspense throughout. Though the good scenes are so, so good. The diner scene presents the greatest clash of actors ever seen, Al and Bobby, toe-to-toe. This thrusts right into the bank heist scene. Be prepared to get blasted in the face as the most captivating and spectacular gun shootout scene ever seen unfolds between De Niro's crew and Pacino's task force. Once Heat picks up, it becomes enthralling. A can't miss. Do yourself a favor and go watch this movie if you haven't already. It's great.