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Heat (1995)
Rate:
9
Viewed:
8/03, 2/13, 8/19
2/13:
Originally, when I first saw Heat in 1995, I thought it was overrated, and I somewhat stood by my position after
seeing it again in 2003.
Then, revisiting Heat recently, I've found it a very good film. Yes, I'm a big fan of Michael Mann, and I've seen
just about everything that he has done including the TV show Miami Vice which contains his unmistakable influence.
Obviously, he's a master director who has attention for details and then goes further to stylize every bit of it.
None of Mann's touch is lost in Heat. As a bonus, he gets the rare chance to showcase Robert De Niro and Al Pacino
in the same film, a feat that has never been accomplished before. Sorry, The Godfather Part II doesn't count.
Between these two, Heat is fully led by Al Pacino, who shows me why he is one of the best actors alive. He's a maestro
when it comes to leading big, important pictures by making sure that everybody stays in the flow. Robert De Niro
plays an interesting character. It's easy to like and sympathize with him, and the outcome is too bad.
Michael Mann does his best of making the cinematography to look resplendent yet dark, which is never overdone, by blending
it in with the intense action. The shootout in the middle of downtown Los Angeles is epic. Clocking at 170 minutes,
Heat goes fast and is a well-paced drama-action picture, going back and forth among the plan, real-life situations,
and emotions of the characters. The supporting players are perfect. I find Val Kilmer's role the most interesting because of
his minimalist stance which works very well. Jon Voight is an additonal treat.
All in all, perhaps some day I will give Heat a '10'.
9/19:
Shot on location all over Los Angeles, Heat is an engrossing crime thriller that spans three hours.
Al Pacino is truly the maestro. Everything is orchestrated well by him. On the other hand, Robert De Niro is fascinating to
watch as Neil McCauley. When they finally meet for the first time, which has never happened before including
The Godfather Part II, it's a remarkable scene featuring two legendary actors with decades of excellence.
My favorite part, besides the epic shootout scene and you won't see anything like it in other films, is when
Tom Sizemore puts his head sideways to look at the male patron after he overhears the commotion and then decides to ignore it.
By the way, Tom is very good. So are Val Kilmer and Jon Voight. That's the thing about the film: it's all about the acting
although the story flows well with lots of layers.
By the way, Kevin Gage served 2.5 years in federal prison for growing marijuana illegally, and while he was there, all
prisoners called him "Waingro." Yeah, he is a pretty sinister-looking guy because of his eyes.
All in all, Heat is about people who won't change who they are despite their gifted abilities, and the action is where
the juice is at.