A crime saga masterpiece

Rating: 8/10 (27 December 2001)

Michael Mann directs an amazing cast in this suspenseful thriller which he also wrote. Despite the several loose ends that never got tied up, the film flowed smoothly with an excellent mix of suspense, action, and emotion. De Niro plays McCauly, a high tech, expensive, and coldly calculating thief. Pacino is LAPD Lieutenant Vincent Hanna, an egotistical, smart-talking, and relentless detective. McCauly and gang (Sizemore and Kilmer in excellent roles) try to pull off one last bank heist. However, a traitor (Kevin Gage) tips off Hanna and a mammoth firefight ensues. In the end, their remains just Hanna and McCauly to pit it out. It may sound like typical action fare, but with the excellent cast and intricate plot, this was a movie worth seeing.
*** out of ****