A cool masterpiece from the Mann

Rating: 10/10 (9 December 2006)

Miami Vice was no doubt the best cop show every brought on television. I may have come late from seeing this film, but I have to say that this is an excellent feat of movie-making.
it is the typical cops chasing robberies story. Al Pacino plays an obsessive detective who is "on a downslope of a marriage" with his third wife (Diana Venora). The other side of the law is a tough, "never miss" thief Neil McCauley (Robert de Niro). Both men collide when Neil's crew of thieves steal $1.6 mil, from an armored car, executing all three guards. From here on, the tale explodes like I've never seen before.
It is a different form of cops chasing robberies film, simply because the film not only focuses on the action, which was a fair amount in the film, but also the lives of affected by these men and many other lives. The movie gets in deep with the character's and their families and personal struggles, which is captured brilliantly. And Michal Mann does it swell, with a cool taste of music, unforgettable action scenes, including the famous street shootout, and as well as intelligent and compelling actors.
The cast illuminates the film and story. This maybe a three hour film, but it flys by, and when it ends, I want more. This is no doubt my favorite Michael Mann creation, besides Vice. Simply a great film that has everything from entertainment value, great stars, such Jon Voight, Val Kimmer, Ashley Judd, etc., drama, and above all strong feeling of saga. 4/4