A superior action film

Rating: Null/10 (4 January 2000)

We're in familiar territory here. Robert de Niro is the ringleader of a group of thieves; Al Pacino is a somewhat stressed-out cop. A huge robbery is planned.
Al Pacino has one or two yelling scenes which are a little too reminiscent of what he's done elsewhere, but presumably this is what was wanted. Robert de Niro gives a believable and well nuanced portrayal of his character.
Michael Mann is in every respect the creator of this movie: he wrote it, directed it, and produced it. And congratulations are due to him. There is no trace of the TV shows he once worked on.
Two final notes. Firstly the film is very violent and very long, and could have been toned down and shortened without any harm to the plot. Secondly the score, by Elliott Goldenthal ("In Dreams", "Batman and Robin", "Batman Forever") is a work of art in its own right. The end title music is particularly fine. Original, but with a nod in the direction of Samuel Barber (Adagio) and Jack Nitzsche (score to "Starman").