Excellent at several levels

Rating: 10/10 (19 August 2010)

There are some movies that I remember first of all for a single message. The first thing I remember from High Noon is the reason Will Kane won't run away; from Conan the Barbarian, it's Conan's prayer before the Battle of the Mounds; from Excalibur, it's that danger always comes from where you least expect it.
From Heat, the first thing I remember is "Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat, if you feel the heat around the corner." I have had reason to think about it many times since I first saw this movie. (Though fortunately I have had no reason to act on it, yet.)
For sure, there are other good things about the movie. There are the action scenes, some of which have a connection to the "30 seconds flat" message. Wrapped around that, there is the drama; depending on taste, 3 hours of it might be too long, but it felt just right for me.
On the negative side, it is hard to sympathize with any of the characters -- but is that really a negative? maybe it is better to watch the movie with detachment.
What makes this movie great is that it all comes together: the plot; the action scenes; and the message that, just possibly, you might have to give up on anything you hold dear: not just for your own good, but also for the good of the very people you hold dear.