The Pinnacle of the Cops and Robbers genre

Rating: 10/10 (19 April 2009)

Pacino. DeNiro. Ask anyone who the greatest actors of all time are, and those two will be at the top of anyone's list. But here in "Heat," there is an opportunity that will cause any movie-lover to begin salivating profusely: Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro star in a movie together! The story is simple, because "Heat" is about its characters. Robert DeNiro is Neil McCauley, a professional thief. Al Pacino is Vincent Hanna, the Los Angeles detective who is trying to prevent him from taking down his next big score.
Despite being on opposite sides of the law, McCauley and Hanna are very much alike, yet their lives are governed by opposite circumstances. Hanna's marriage to Justine (the wonderful Diane Venora) is failing, while McCauley, a previously satisfied loner, finds romance with graphic designer Eady (Amy Brenneman). However, both of them have a similar mindset when it comes to their lot in life. Both of them simply do what they do best: McCauley takes scores while Hanna tries to stop him.
The acting is what you'd expect it to be: outstanding. Pacino and DeNiro are in top form, and so is everyone else. Standouts from the main cast (apart from Pacino and DeNiro, of course) are the female love interests, Venora and Brenneman. Venora brings a torn sense of weariness to her character. She loves Hanna, but she also knows that he can't be the man she needs. Brenneman is great as the rather shy librarian, who decides to take a chance on Neil, but realizes that she doesn't know what she's getting into. Special mention has to go to Kevin Gage, who is seriously creepy as Waingro. Gage is absolutely chilling; he's the stuff of nightmares.
When it comes to directors, Michael Mann will always have a special place in my heart. His tough-as-nails style is instantly recognizable, and "Heat" is pure Mann (no pun intended). The film is highly stylized, often times resembling magazine ads (though not in the same way as, say, Tarsem. Think high-end apartment ads, not fashion magazines). "Heat" is a long movie, clocking in at a little less than three hours, but Mann keeps things moving. The actors are so good that the time flies by.
However, all that is fluff compared to the highlight of the movie: the robbery. Simply put, this is one of the greatest action sequences of all time. Not because it's full of explosions and extravagant stunts, but because it's so real. I had no problem believing that a bank robbery could have been carried out just like this. It's superbly choreographed and expertly shot. The sound of the gunfire is completely realistic, and the tactics are all in evident. It's exhilarating.
There's not a person alive who wouldn't find something to like in this movie. It has great drama and spectacular action. "Heat" definitely is one of the masterworks of the cops and robbers genre.