Michael Mann in a candy store (Possible Spoilers)

Rating: 10/10 (9 October 2004)

This movie is excellent. If you don't like reviews that talk about how good movies are then go somewhere else. Let's get the whole Robert De Niro/ Al Pacino thing out the way first. Yes they both give terrific performances but it is near impossible to decide who gives the definitive performance. Al Pacino is on top form in all his Hoo-haa glory, chewing up almost every scene he's in. Robert De Niro also gives one of his best performances, so suitably subtle in the role of Neil. Both characters are driven by obsession, both professionals, both will not stop until the job is done. The character, I feel, that has the most depth is Neil. It is not enough just to get the job done but he feels it necessary to tie up all the loose ends as well, which is ultimately his downfall. He focuses on nothing but what he has to do like a laser beam on a specific point- witness his house, an unintentional post modern, empty, hollow space, much like Neil's life. He wants to have something in his life that can make sense and have meaning, and that's where Eady (Amy Brennemann) comes in. Of course, this doesn't end to well with Neil driven by his principles to leave her. Vincent (Pacino) also has depth but he is more aware of the things that drive him than Neil is of himself. He's your typical cop on the edge but with a twist, he's been married three times, a step daughter with problems (Natalie Portman) that favors him over her real father, again driven by an obsession to get his job done. Rather than waiting for help, he chases Neil through the streets of L.A. when a friend of his, Bosko (Ted Levine) is shot.
Heat is absolutely a character piece, it's the character's that drive heat, not the plot. But let's not forget the outstanding supporting cast, without their supporting character arcs, most of Heat would not have happened. What if Chris (Val Kilmer) hadn't been shot, would he have got away? What if, the aptly named, Trejo (Danny Trejo) hadn't been surrounded by the cops prior to the bank robbery would Neil and the gang have got away? If the problem with Waingro (Kevin Cage) had been taken care of earlier would Neil and the gang have got away? What if Donald Breedan (Dennis Haysbert) had not listened to his girlfriend, would anything have happened at all? What if Neil hadn't stolen the bonds from Van Zant would they have been caught? What if Neil wasn't so driven could he have got away with it? Who knows? Who cares? That's not the point, the point is these characters are victims of fate. Some people might say that this is one of these films that are about the choices we make. Some People are wrong.
This is, arguably, Mann's most stylish movie. A lot of imagery representing what is going on, reflecting the characters and how they feel and think. I'll be frank and say that this movie is blue, it is really, really blue. But hey that's not always a bad thing, especially in a Mann movie, showing the openness of what this movie all about along with the beautiful aerial shots of L.A. It's a real shame that Mann ditched Spinotti (or vice versa, I'm not sure which) as this is the high point of each of their careers.
And of course let's not forget about the action. The opening robbery is just a taste of what is coming next, the greatest bank robbery you will ever see. Guards brutally incapacitated, hostages handled well ("we want to hurt nobody... you're money is insured by the federal government you're not gonna lose a dime... think of you're families, don't be a hero... anybody feel sick or have a heart problem lean against the wall" to roughly quote Neil- Class) In and out, no time for error. When the inevitable happens, it happens with quite a force it will not be likely that you will ever feel anything like it again. Val Kilmer looks like he is having the time of his life, shooting anything and everything he sees, reloading as fast as a bullet only to repeat what he had just done. The assault rifles used were quite impressive, I'm not a gun nut so I wouldn't know but it looks like Neil and Chris carry M-16's with folding stocks (just recently made legal by Bush) but I don't have a clue what Sizemore is carrying. Just spray cars with ammunition and shoot anybody that looks threatening or gets in your way- that's the way to do it. The sound effects are just superb, top of the range and any other superlative you can attach to it, it really feels like people are firing guns by your head. But what makes this scene extra cool is that De Niro keeps his glasses on the whole time.
You know you are watching a great movie when the music sends shivers down your spine every time you hear it. Gia Lu Testa improves vastly because of Morricone's score. Just buy the soundtrack to Heat, play it at full blast and I dare you to resist watching the movie another time.
In conclusion I think that Heat is a landmark film, a film that should be placed proudly in your collection of movies, if you don't have it already, you have my pity, may god have mercy on your soul. BUY IT NOW!!!!!
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