Extravaganza

Rating: 10/10 (10 February 2007)

Wow...I have to give a "summary"...?! Well, extravaganza it is. Seeing this film for the first time was like opening a box of treats. And not having long enough to savour each one. So, on repeat viewings, the box exposes itself and my appetite for Michael Mann's take on the human condition is sated, more so.
Heat begins like many movies of its' genre; the opening scene-setters are very brilliantly shot and choreographed (the opening smooch between Vincent and his wife; Val Kilmer's character purchasing the weaponry from an unsuspecting Martin Ferrero etc). This movie starts well, and as it means to go on. Information is the key. The more you know about why these characters are who they are, they more you may understand why they do what they do.
Complications set in quickly; Al Pacino's Lt Vincent Hanna is plagued by guilt over his lack of commitment to his marriage, which affects his relationship with step-daughter Lauren; Chris Shiherlis is a rogue, but endlessly loved none-the-less; Robert De Niro's Neil Macauley has a pact with himself: "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." This is complicated city! These people have feelings! They are loved, and they do too.
As a heist movie, Heat is great. The L.A. take-down scenes are breathtaking. You pine for the guys who get shot, more so for the robbers who we've come to understand and, hell, like. The ultimate in cinematic connivance comes, however, when Robert de Niro and Al Pacino appear on screen for the first time ever. Yeah, they did Godfather 2 but, hell, a whole generation separated their characters. This is big stuff...however, the scene is so brilliantly underplayed that it takes on its own life, and becomes almost the point of reference for the whole movie. Al Pacino's cop chases Robert de Niro's robber and, Christ, they meet in a café. What do ya know...?! Suffice it to say, the climax of this movie is one of the most memorable and emotional in recent movie history. If you really feel these guys, and buy into what they do and what they say, you'll be hard pushed not to be blown away by the finale. I was. I saw this movie and realised that some people in Hollywood still know how to press the right buttons for people who are waiting impatiently for something good to come along and...well...blow them away.
Hats off to all concerned. This is one hell of a movie.