An outstanding crime film and certified modern classic - 94%

Rating: 10/10 (17 August 2007)

Man, it's been a long time since anything impressed me as much as this stunning film from the brilliant Michael Mann. For a director specialising in stylish crime flicks, this is a fantastic film from a man clearly at the very top of his game. If you thought "Collateral" was good (and trust me, it is) then this will blow you away completely and not just because of the much-hyped meeting of Pacino and De Niro. It's searing realism and authenticity should mean that this remains one of finest examples of a cop thriller this generation has ever seen.
"Heat" starts with the professional robbery of an armoured truck on the streets of LA which quickly turns into a triple homicide. Led by career criminal Neil McCauley (De Niro), they quickly regroup and prepare for the next big job - the one that will mean their retirement. But tracking them down is Lt. Vincent Hanna (Pacino), as driven and determined to catch them as McCauley is to see it through. As they each strive to gain the upper hand, their lives run parallel as each struggles with the demands of their partners and become ever more focused on their goal.
Despite dominating the film between them, Pacino and De Niro are the chocolate sauce on top of a knickerbocker glory of acting talent (if you know what I mean). Career-bests from Tom Sizemore and Ashley Judd as well as able support from Jon Voight, Diane Venora, Amy Brenneman... actually, to good through the entire cast would take too long but suffice to say that the casting is almost universally spot-on. Kilmer is shown up for what he really is next to the greatness that surrounds him but even he can't detract from what is a brilliantly written and sharply executed action crime thriller. Captivating from start to finish, it is almost refreshing to see a crime film that relies on brains and acting instead of bullet-ridden set pieces to see it through. Not that "Heat" is a slow, plodding drama - the action sequences are some of the best I've seen, full of adrenaline and yet still able to tell a story without resorting to tired Hollywood clichés like a car chase or a fist-fight in front of some grand scenery in the background.
I find it staggering that more films don't mimic "Heat" more closely as this must be the template for future crime dramas in the years to come. Despite running for three hours, your attention never wavers and you're never entirely sure which heavyweight actor will come out on top. The confrontation in the diner between De Niro and Pacino is rightly recognised as a classic but it's just one scene of this faultless master-class. Assuming you're the forgiving sort and you can forget about Kilmer (who's merely OK instead of outstanding), "Heat" is the sort of film that reminds you why you watch movies. No CG, no animated creatures from Middle Earth - just good, old-fashioned, proper movie-making. Mr Mann, I salute you!