A Crime Epic

Rating: 10/10 (6 July 2009)

Heat has such a reputation to it. One of best films of 1995, one of the best films of the 90s, one of the best cop/crime films made, the best film of Michael Mann's career and the first film to have Al Pacino and Robert De Niro starting in it together. It was overlooked in the Oscars 1995 when the God-awful Braveheart won.
Al Pacino plays Vincent Hanna, a homicide detective for the LAPD, and Robert De Niro is Neil McCauley, a leader of a crime crew who are successful at robbery. Both are men on the opposite side of the law. They fates become interlinked when Neil's crew rob a security truck and kill everyone inside. Vincent and the LAPD try to investigate the crew who are men who have been arrested for smaller crimes. Vincent sets to get them for a big crime that he know they will commit. He wonder's what they are up to and has to use every resource he can to find out, including his own wits. Neil and his crew had stolen bonds from a business Roger Van Zant (William Fichtner) who had them insured. Neil sets out a scheme to sell the bonds back to Van Zant who would make a profit on them. However Van Zant tries to betray Neil and ends up becoming a part of the criminal world. Neil also has to try and keep his crew together. Neil next big scheme is rob a bank for $12 Million, a big payoff but a big risk considering the heat.
What makes Heat stand a part from other crime thrillers is the investment in character. Neil is a man who has a new love interest, Eady (Amy Brenneman) who he wants to settle down with. Vincent is suffering from difficulties in his marriage with Justine (Diane Venora) because of his committed to the job, and his step-daughter Lauren (Natalie Portman) is emotionally depressed. There is Chris (Val Kilmar) who also going through marriage difficulties with his wife because of his gambling addiction, but also Neil's best friend. Trejo (Danny Trejo) is a serial rapist. Even a really minor character like Donald (Dennis Haysbert) has a backstory. Michael Mann know how to write. They is a hell of a cast, and not just Pacino and De Niro. Many of the actors involved are at the top of their game. Even Val Kilmar is good in this film.
Michael Mann is a great director and it's easy to see why in this film. He shoots with really style with his quick camera work and excellent editing. Mann keeps the tension going through the film, gets the best out of his actors and knows how to shoot action scenes.
Heat is a modern classic and should have been noticed by the Academy.