Magnificent Crime Drama, Mann at his very best!

Rating: 9/10 (14 February 2005)

Heat is an extremely underrated film. It is probably Michael Mann's greatest film, and Michael Mann is one of the finest contemporary directors.
Heat is a sprawling, intelligent, and action packed movie about a gang of thieves and the cop (Pacino) who is determined to take them down at all costs. The film is unique from other movies of the same genre and of the same subject matter, as it is not just a brainless shoot em up flick (although there is plenty of gun-play here) but it is an intelligent character study. The film is like a finely woven quilt, each piece has been artfully put there and lends itself to the image as a whole.
The story follows Neil McCauley (DeNiro) and his gang of thieves, which include Kilmer, Sizemore, and Danny Trejo. They plan one final heist together, and along the way catch the "Heat" who in this case is Lt. Vincent Hanna (Pacino) and his gang of LAPD cronies. They stumble along onto McCauley's plans and try to take them down. However McCauley is wise to the trap and decides to take the score anyway. Well anyway from here the film steamrolls towards the climax, which includes one of the most spectacular and most realistic gun battles ever captured on film.
Mann's artful direction has the film straddling the line between action masterpiece and great emotional human drama. DeNiro is excellent as McCauley, a professional thief who is torn between love and his credo: "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." He is just looking for one more score, and then he is willing to walk away from it all, but he finds that you can't plan on everything, (just like in "Asphalt Jungle")even the loose ends and variables can bury you. Kilmer and Sizemore are terrific as McCauley's cronies, and Trejo adds the L.A. urban flavor to the film and a touch of authenticity. Pacino is excellent, as a workaholic cop who has sacrificed his personal life in order to take down crews like McCauley's. His devotion to his job, has blurred the lines between his career and an obsession.
The film is thoroughly enjoyable to watch if you do not mind the over 2 1/2 hour runtime. But the film is definitely worth it, you are treated to more than one great performance, witty and intelligent dialogue and some great action sequences and any chance to see a Michael Mann film should not be missed.