The gospel for 20th century crime thrillers.

Rating: Null/10 (19 December 1999)

What a superb show from start to finish and as good a crime thriller as I've ever seen. Heat is a film that plays upon your imagination long after the ending credits have disappeared and is one of the more realistic interpretations of the criminal mind. Michael Mann gives both sides of the divide as we see both the robbers and the police during their own get togethers with their colleagues.In fact the film's appeal stems from this, with the realism transpiring as a highly intelligent plot, a number of explosive shoot-outs and their consequences and a feeling of empathy with nearly all sides.If you are looking for non-stop action, a sky-high body count and lots of big explosions then you would be well advised to look elsewhere. Heat is one shot, one kill stuff that takes no prisoners. Gone are the days when characters were shot in the arms or legs and still fought on relentlessly or likewise the days when character went up against scores of heavily armed men, all of whom seemed to miss the hero who, by contrast, would strike a foe down every time he pulled the trigger. De Niro and Pacino are both the stuff of acting legends and both pull of stunning performances in their roles of good guy/bad guy. A simple platitude that works to great effect. Their back up cast of cops and robbers are also interesting characters and as the action progresses, their paths become gradually entwined in events that will culminate into one of the best shoot-outs in cinema history with the audience looking on and hoping their favorite will not be gunned down and realising they probably will.