LA's finest go head to head...

Rating: 10/10 (10 September 2005)

The master thief versus the master thief catcher. A classic tale of cat and mouse- continually swapping roles as the story develops. Who is hunting who? Robert De Niro is excellent as Neil McCauley- a professional criminal whose outlook on life is to "Not become attached to something where you can't escape in 30 seconds when the heat comes 'round the corner." But he disobeys his own law- and falls in love with a young woman in called Edie, thus, putting his priorities in jeopardy.
His arch rival, Vincent Hanna, played by Al Pacino- is almost a mirror image of his counterpart. A pill-popping partner, complete with estranged husband, and dysfunctional daughter to boot. His work is his life, and often serves as an unassailable barrier between both parts of Hanna's life- restricting him from continuing a fruitful relationship.
The poignant scene in this film is when both men come face to face, and vow to stop one another dead. Literally. What ensues is a deadly game of cop v robber, a high-stakes decision for both men, as to where their loyalties really lie In my humble opinion one of the most enthralling films of the mid-nineties, and a masterpiece on Michael Mann's account. Both leading men are at their best, with both acting in roles which they seem to revel in every time. A must-see by all definition! 9 out of 10