One of the greatest crime films of all-time; Powerful epic that defies cinematic conventions

Rating: 10/10 (11 July 2007)

Heat (1995) is an excellent film. I definitely consider it one of the few modern masterpieces. Pacino and De Niro each bring strong performances, and I truly feel De Niro's is one of the top five of his career. Everything about this film makes it jump off the screen. The film chronicles the lives of two men on opposite sides of the law. One is the dedicated detective Lt. Vincent Hanna, portrayed explosively by Al Pacino. On the other side is Neil McCauley, the calm, precise leader of a crew whose sole intention is to take down the biggest score. As the two engage in a tense cat and mouse game, the viewer is put into the action. The epic saga unfolds with effortless grace and subdued charisma.
It is a truly visceral cinematic experience. The colors, the music, and the power defy explanation when it comes to talking about Heat. Besides all that, the film has a tremendous supporting cast that makes it hard to pick a favorite character. Val Kilmer is worth noting as the brash, temperamental Chris Shiherlis. Heat is a construction of epic film proportions, directed with poise and passion by Michael Mann, a genius of his time. With all the emotion and tension that Heat exudes, it is worth noting that this film, despite its brutal nature, does have heart. There are subtle moments that let the viewer understand the characters' nuances and thoughts. The film makes you a part of the action, a part of the gritty L.A. backdrop, and a part of something special. The brilliant direction is no more evident than in the famed shootout sequence, in which the action feels strikingly real and in your face. I can't say enough about how I feel about this motion picture. It is a powerhouse that deserves credit for being one of the very best to come out of the '90s, a very good decade for films. If you are having doubts about seeing this film, then do it only for the coffee shop scene between De Niro and Pacino, one of my favorite scenes to watch in the film. Two screen legends taking time out of their film pantheons to sit down and have a little talk over coffee. What could be better than that?