Firefights are as stunning as Woo's films.

Rating: Null/10 (19 September 1998)

This film has everything. Pacino and DeNiro finally facing off in Mann's masterpiece. Acting is superb although I've never cared much for Val Kilmer. The running time was 2H 44Min which might be considered a bit too long, but for me it was ok and there really wasn't any scenes that should be cut. The beautifully choreographed firefights are really something to behold. The action reminded me of John Woo's Hard Boiled and Killer. Where Woo packs a punch with fast paced action and bloodshed, Mann and Andy McNab have built a stunningly beautiful city combat scene after DeNiro and buddies escape from the bank. The firefight scenes were filmed over and over again until they were just right and when McNab and his friends were watching Heat, they all applauded wildly when DeNiro loaded his weapon correctly.
The film centers on good versus bad, but the line between them is very blurred. Pacino's character is a workaholic who's only life seems to be in his work. His personal life is a messed up family with loads of arguments and fights. DeNiro's character is a loner and one of his quotes best describe him. "allow nothing to be in your life that you can't walk out in 30 seconds if you spot the heat around the corner."
Both of these characters have great respect for each other which is shown in the famous cafe-scene. The characters talk like friends, but under the mask both know that only one will survive. This film is a definite classic.