Much better on a second watch

Rating: 8/10 (22 May 2020)

I never hated this movie, but it felt like a missed opportunity, I kept waiting for the directors cut and I'm still waiting. But since this came to Netflix I figured I'd try it again and I was surprised. Really I guess the only problem was pacing? I don't know. A couple weird musical choices. Something seemed to be missing but I can't put my finger on it. A lot of things were very similar to Heat, of course that movie was based on this real event so they was unavoidable but as a movie watcher it was familiar.
I'm a huge Michael Mann fan. Heat was my favorite movie before that became cool, I even love Miami Vice and The Keep. When I go into one of his movies I expect a game changer which this wasn't, but there's nothing wrong with that. I was impressed. I may watch it again. The shoot out in the woods is crazy cool. And I love how the muzzle flash lights up their faces when they shoot.
I followed the development closely on this one, again huge Mann fan. When Christan Bale and Johnny Depp were announced I was excited. I'm not even a huge Depp fan but of course he's good and he's got the necessary presence for the role. And he was great. And arguably Mann has the best casting sense. You go back on his movies and so many people you saw for the first time are big now, or at least established. This movie was no different.
If you weren't a fan the first time it's worth a second watch. If you hated it then I'm sure you'll still hate it.