The mean streets of L.A.

Rating: 7/10 (7 June 2004)

Michael Mann comes back to the form he presented in the much-underrated Thief for this unrelenting look at the good and bad guys of L.A. Michael DeNiro gives one of his miraculous performances as a bank robber with soul, friends, loyalties, and passions. Al Pacino doesn't have as much room to act in, but his street-wise cop is completely convincing. (Spoiler?) The centerpiece shootout in the middle of the afternoon has to be seen to be believed. I finally didn't give this a perfect rating because, despite the pyrotechnics, the plot is as hoary and cliched as Little Caesar. But it sure is a fun ride while it lasts.