Transcendence in urban action films-rarely found.

Rating: Null/10 (9 February 1999)

This one is definitely Michael Mann's masterpiece, it's like it's an action film directed by Stanley Kubrick in _2001_ mode.While Pacino gives a performance that is somewhat underwhelming (times that by three for Diane Venora), De Niro gives his best performance in many a moon as as a career criminal whose heart only has visiting hours from about 12:00 to 12:30.
This is probably closer to what Mallick was shooting for in _The Thin Red Line_, but didn't quite reach. It is one of the best and most under-rated films of the decade, one that gains on each additional viewing. Note: this film is best viewed in letter-box format for Mann's imaginative use of wide-screen is often a wonder to behold.