Dichotomous, epic crime drama featuring two of the best actors of all time...

Rating: 10/10 (14 January 2004)

An extremely skilled crew of armed robbers and burglars led by Neil McCauley (DeNiro) is running rampant in the city of Los Angeles. With a crew so tight, is there anyone who can stop them? Maybe the fiery Lt. Vincent Hanna (Pacino) can stop them before anyone else gets in their way. It's also a story about the different love lives of all those involved and the consequences of being so dedicated to each side.
What more could any movie buff ask for? DeNiro playing the seasoned criminal, and Pacino depicting a hot-tempered cop who will do whatever it takes to stop them. A movie with a cast and story like this was bound to turn up sooner or later, and thank the low-rid it did! The supporting cast is also top notch featuring Tom Sizemore and Val Kilmer as members of Neil's crew. I felt the cast that was assembled was very believable and the performances were as well. The camera work was well done, I loved the dialogue and the music seemed to fit each seem whenever it came into play.

Minor Spoilers:
Heat features two of my favorite action sequences ever. One is at the beginning when they take down the truck and the other is close to the end when they heist the bank. The tractor trailer tow truck ramming the armored car while being blocked by a stolen ambulance was simply genius, and might actually work in the real world if one were so inclined. The bank heist sequence was heart pounding and kept me on the edge of my seat curious as to who would get away and who would get taken down. An all out war in the streets of L.A., it's hard not to enjoy that.especially when you care about the two main characters involved.
But Heat isn't all about actionit's also a love story in a sense. We get to see Hanna's failing marriage continue to fall apart as the movie goes on, as he seems more dedicated to his job and catching Neil than to spending time with his wife. Things take a turn in Neil's life as well, when he finally meets a woman he truly cares about and doesn't want to leave behind. He now must make a choice between leaving while he can with the heat hot on his tail, or take a chance to go and grab the woman he loves and never look back. And when Chris' (Kilmer) wife Charlene (Ashley Judd) is approached by the police, she must make a decision on whether to turn her estranged husband in, or face the risk of losing her child to the heat for aiding a known criminal. Decisions, decisions. I like that.realistic drama.
It all boils down to a man to man showdown between McCauley and Hanna in the end, and only one of them is going to make it out alive. Perfect ending for a perfect movie. I can't believe this movie isn't rated higher than it is. If you're a Pacino or DeNiro fan, this movie is a must.
A truly masterful film in every respect and a favorite among my collection. 10/10.
PS  `You get killed walking your doggie!!'