There Is A Flip Side To That

Rating: 10/10 (10 June 2007)

Throughout ones cinematic life, a fan comes to understand the essential ingredients of every movie. When it comes to crime dramas, it becomes standard for the good guys to win over the bad guys. However, after a lifetime of watching the same scenarios, and knowing full well the good guys don't always win in real life, sophisticate audiences then expect reality to be part of the movie. Few authority figures want to change the 'good always triumphs' myth, but modern audiences demand more 'authentic' crime dramas and thus a few courageous directors will give the audience what it demands. The best among them is Michael Mann. The movie "HEAT" has earned him more acclaim than any movie to date for realistic films. Anyone who views Heat, will see real life drama in action. Watching the film one realizes more than Mann's superior direction went into the creation of this unique story. The sheer star power added to the magical combination. Here we have Lt. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) a veteran no nonsense detective who goes after only the best crime 'Crews' and will not stop until they are put down. Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is a master career criminal who rarely makes mistakes in his craft. Val Kilmer plays Chris Shiherlis a professional who is willing to put everything on the line for his woman and the Big Score. Jon Voight is superb as De Niro's mysterious fence and skilled consultant. The Big heist is upon them and De Niro's hand picked crew is going for 70 million. Al Pacino's special elite police squad will be there to try and stop them and to bring their crime spree to a end. Expect Micahel Mann to allow the experienced criminals to take on the well armed police with military weapons and precision teamwork in one of the bloodiest, explosive most exciting running gun battles ever created. This movie is a must for anyone who's tired of the bad guys losing all the time. *****