The First Great Matchup of DeNiro and Pacino

Rating: 8/10 (2 October 2006)

This film is credited as the first great meeting of DeNiro and Pacino (in the Godfather films, they never shared screen time). And both men are quite exceptional in this piece... if only there were more screen time. Other than about 30 seconds in a diner, you can't see both men on the screen at once, so there's no guaranteeing they were even filmed on the same day.
The story is of a cop (Pacino) who puts his full energy into the capture of murderous thieves (DeNiro, Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, and Ted Levine). But doing this destroys his family life (with stepdaughter Natalie Portman). The goons, as well, find family life is hard to maintain when you're a murderous thief.
You already know Pacino and DeNiro can deliver the action, and you know Kilmer can too if you've seen "The Saint". And Tom Sizemore? Try picturing him in a romantic comedy... no, he was born for roles like this. So the action is a given.
But the emotional tears are also important, and they are what makes this film unlike other ones in the action genre. We actually care that these families are shattered. Also, we have the two main opponents sharing coffee, discussing their motivations and we see they are the same man on the opposite side of the coin. One man not only respects the other, but can completely sympathize with him.
I should note this is one of Natalie Portman's earlier roles (alongside "Leon" and roughly the same time as "Mars Attacks!"). Her acting is not fully developed yet, and while she can carry most films, I'm pleased her part was so small because she was a weak point. In all honesty, her subplot could have been cut and the movie 10 minutes shorter and there would have been no loss.
All this from Michael Mann, perhaps best known for "Miami Vice" or "Manhunter"... but thankfully his cast left their bright colored coats at home for this one. If you like bank heist movies, you're going to love this one. More action than "Ocean's 11" and much more depth than "Dog Day Afternoon".