http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/18/RETRO-RANT-Michael-Manns-HEAT-Still-Burns.aspx Are there any films made in the last ten years with as much action, smarts and plain ol’ testosterone-driven style as HEAT? The 1995 magnum opus from Michael Mann is one of the legendary crime films of the last twenty years, if not the last fifty, and there’s no shortage of reasons why. Pick whichever one you like: the phenomenal cast, of which Pacino and De Niro are just the icing on the cake; the intelligent and snappy script; the brilliant editing and location work (Mann shot at 65 locations in Los Angeles, and not one of them was a soundstage); the intense action, including the famous bank robbery … shall I go on? Mann has always been a slick visual stylist and purveyor of smart, character-driven drama, but with HEAT, he topped himself. What’s it all about? I’m glad you asked. It’s the mid-1990s, and Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is looking to retire. One of the best thieves around, McCauley is focused, meticulous, smart and ruthless, and staying away from the law keeps him that way. His crew, despite their personal foibles, is as professional and smart as he is, and their capers usually go off like clockwork. Unfortunately, their latest one has gone a little south thanks to the new guy Waingro (Kevin Gage), and Waingro’s itchy trigger finger has called in a big dog: Det. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino), a suit-wearing shark in the law enforcement pool. Hanna’s a bulldog for catching bad guys, and McCauley is one of those challenges that Hanna loves, even more than being a family with his latest wife (Diane Venora) and step-daughter (Natalie Portman). With the heat on, and his personal life thrown for a loop by a pretty clerk (Amy Brenneman), McCauley decides to go for the mythical big score, a daylight bank robbery with millions at stake. But Hanna and his equally professional crew are closing in, and a lead salad is going to be on the menu for somebody. en-US Critics Rant info@criticsrant.com Subtext Version 1.9.4.0 http://www.criticsrant.com/images/default_gravatar_bullhorn.png http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/18/RETRO-RANT-Michael-Manns-HEAT-Still-Burns.aspx 77 60 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/18/RETRO-RANT-Michael-Manns-HEAT-Still-Burns.aspx#1910 Definately one of my favorite flicks. latina_mr http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/18/RETRO-RANT-Michael-Manns-HEAT-Still-Burns.aspx#1910 Sat, 27 Oct 2007 18:15:05 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/18/RETRO-RANT-Michael-Manns-HEAT-Still-Burns.aspx#1912 Funny I just got through watching this wonderful action thriller right before I saw your rant. I totally agree. I have it on VHS - was wondering if it had made it to DVD yet. This is one I could watch for decades. I loved it, especially since it's not just about the bad guys and the good guys, but how it effects their loved ones, and how, sometimes, you just can't help who you fall in love with. catwritescc http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/18/RETRO-RANT-Michael-Manns-HEAT-Still-Burns.aspx#1912 Sun, 28 Oct 2007 05:38:48 GMT