Reviews & Ratings for
Heat More at IMDbPro »

Filter:

Best Chronological Prolific Authors Loved It Hated It Hide Spoilers:

Page 11 of 78:

[6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]

Index

771 reviews in total

---

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
pretty tight for a 3 hour crime epic, 25 June 2009

Author: Jack Gattanella (whiplashfilm@gmail.com) from United States

Heat comes on TV, and you have see what scene is on. More than likely you'll get something really worth watching, sometimes for five minutes, other times for the whole running time. I was too young to see Heat in the theater, but soon after TV made it available. It's a film that takes to the professionals on both sides, and we have a great deal of empathy for both of them, for the tired but spot-on detective (Al Pacino) and, yes, even the ruthless criminal (Robert De Niro). Michael Mann's script is key, but it's a sense of the story, of the mood that all of those locations in Los Angeles brings, the streets, the little crevices, the diners, the architecture, the concrete and steel.

There's also philosophy to Heat. It may not be a deep essay like Godard, but who'd want, or perhaps expect, it to a big Hollywood production? It's simple: Never have anything in your life that you can't walk out on in thirty seconds flat, if you spot the heat coming around the corner. This is the stance the super tough and least vulnerable criminal mastermind in 90s American cinema Neil makes, and its potent enough to match up against the hard-line stance that a detective has with his prey. The plot moves at a good pace and the wheels keep going along and Mann has these powerhouse sequences here and there (most notably the big bank robbery that turns into a battle with machine guns on the street outside), and of course the cast is large and amazing throughout (a who's who from Val Kilmer to Natalie Portman to Danny Trejo to Wes Studi).

But what makes Heat endurable for such a long length aren't the actors but its substance. Mann's film is about something, about the conventions of cops and robbers, and that's what makes it work as well as it does. Sure, seeing a match-up of titans in that diner scene is enough to recommend it, but a combination of factors, of cast and direction and script, of danger and action and quiet moments, make it a kind of modern classic.

---

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
..this film was too busy for me.., 13 May 2008

Author: fimimix from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Michael Mann wrote and directed a film that must have wasted miles of film - there were so many scenes in "Heat," I could hardly watch it. So many, in fact, it was difficult to keep-up with the story. That means I shall have to watch it again.

Al Pacino's ("Lt. Han") frantic actions wore me out. De Niro's character ("McCauley") had a calming effect, but the only scene I thought was worthy of his talent was the scene in the restaurant, talking to Pacino. Kilmer's role ("chris) was excellent and insistent. Jon Voight ("Nate") did what he could with what he was given to do. It's so sad this great actor does not seem to be able to find a role to show his range of talent.

Of course, the action in the film pleased everyone who likes all that loud stuff. The special-effects were great, and the stunt-folk must have made a fortune.

I'm glad that so many people commented on "Heat." BUT, there are so many other films exactly like it, the story gets lost it all that fire-power. Perhaps I'll get more from it on the second watching. I gave it a "10" because it all came together, although it was very predictable. I liked the touch of closeness at the end......showed a touch of humaneness, even with so much violence.

---

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Heat is exactly what it says...a crime saga...not your average action crime flick, 15 April 2008

Author: Robert W. (Robert_duder@hotmail.com) from Ontario, Canada

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

In many ways Michael Mann is the type of director who really does have his own style and flare. I can't honestly say I'm necessarily a fan but I think he really does try to make the audience feel his story, and bring them into it and then on top of that makes it a snazzy artistic film that people can look at and say "Yep that's Michael Mann." I hold a certain disdain for him since I paid and sat through the utter garbage that was Miami Vice but you couldn't deny he tried to make it feel real and sharp and gritty and Heat is the same way. He called it a 'crime saga' and there is no doubt that Heat packs a punch but is it for the right reasons? The film clocks in at nearly three hours which as much as I appreciate a good long film, it's far too long for this type of movie. There is plenty that could have been cut out to make the film move a little better but again Mann wants it a certain way. The film chronicles every detail of both sides of this fight...the criminal side and this little family of crooks and then the police unit trying to stop and catch them and then it goes into the details about the personal lives of the two leaders to (I believe) show us that the two men aren't different at all.

The key to Heat being what it is are the two players in the game and this is the legendary and moving Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro in their first screen time together (they both starred in the Godfather 2 but never shared any screen time together.) I worship these two men, they acting gods and they don't disappoint in these roles. DeNiro is Neil McCauley, a life time thief who is brilliant at it and treats it like a major operation that it is complete with his tight knit crew. McCauley is cocky in some ways, egotistical and yet subtle and smooth. DeNiro is a sight to behold and does a great job. However between the two of them I have to give it up for the amazing Al Pacino who is mind blowingly good as Lt. Vincent Hanna whose passion for the job is bar none. Pacino's personal life is explored at length as we see how much he lives for this job and to stop McCauley like it's a personal vendetta for him. He's passionate and loud as Pacino always is but grips you to his scenes. The rest of the cast is just packed with stars of various talent and Hollywood status including Val Kilmer (underused but his character is still great,) Jon Voight (more of a cameo for him), Tom Sizemore (also underused), Amy Brenneman (terrific chemistry opposite DeNiro), Ashley Judd (really great performance), Dennis Haysbert (small role but really great and different for anyone used to seeing him on The Unit or 24), William Fichtner (small role but terrific as a slimy businessman), Natalie Portman (very, very small role), and Mykelti Williamson (always makes a good cop.) However you like at it, this ensemble cast was put together to support DeNiro and Pacino and they do that just fine.

There is definitely some key moments in Heat and the first one is the cup of coffee that McCauley and Hannah sit down for. Here are these two Hollywood legends sitting and having a banter of wits over coffee and it's a terrific scene that can only be experienced. And then of course is the infamous bank heist scene that turns into a full scale war of M16's and automatic weapons that wraps the film up basically. I also thought it was well worth hanging in there to see the final cat and mouse game between Pacino and DeNiro which we've all wondered about and then to get to see right there on the screen. Despite the film running long which I understand he really was trying to make a saga of sorts and kudos to Mann for doing that...the film is worth seeing. I will say that I think it is a little over hyped considering it never did that well when it was released but only now has a cult following but it's still a powerful film to watch. 8/10

---

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Heat, the perfect example of a crime movie, 1 February 2007
Author: de_boer_marijn from Netherlands

This movie is not a standard thieves versus cops movie, it really lets you get to know the characters of both sides and see their emotional lives. You can pick your side, so you can concider the end of the movie as a good or a bad ending. On which side are you on? The film is directed by Michael Mann, known for his work on the hit series 'Miami Vice'. 'Heat' has a great cast with some of Hollywood finest actors. The two main characters are played by the best gangster actors you can get; Robert De Niro ('Goodfellas') and Al Pacino ('Scarface'). The story line concerns both sides. You have the story of the life of Vincent Hanna, played by Al Pacino, who has a relationship crisis with his wife because he is always busy chasing criminals. And also his step daughter is a mess, because her real father never shows up. Then you have the story of master criminal Neil McCauley, played by Robert De Niro, who never had a wife because he wants to be independent so he can escape wherever he wants without having to worry about someone. The two admire each one other. The plot begins when Neil and his crew rob a transport wagon and steal the obligations of rich guy Roger van Zant. The robbery goes wrong when a gang member called Waingro shoots one of the drivers, so they have to kill anyone around to leave no witnesses. Waingro then gets kicked out of the crew. Still part of the crew are Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer) and Michael Cheritto (Tom Sizemore). Officer Vincent Hanna an his team of LAPD agents are put on the case. They find out that they are dealing with real professionals. They track them down to find out what their next score is going to be. But McCauley's crew are on to them and play games with the LAPD. The next big score will be a bank robbery in central Los Angeles. Everything seems to be going smooth, until the LAPD gets the tip by Van Zant who got it from Waingro who is working for van Zant as a snitch. The police arrives just in time and the whole area gets turned into a shooting gallery. A lot of people die in the proses, but McCauley and Chris manage to escape. Now Neil has to escape before Vincent Hanna finds him. Which is difficult for him because he finally found a woman he loves. Neil has an escape plan but Vincent is right after him. The final scene is a battle between Neil and Vincent, eventually one of the two dies… If you like gangster movies, then I would recommend Heat. Not only does it have the best gangster actors of all time, It also has a thrilling plot with great action.

---

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
A clash of two great characters..., 10 December 2006

Author: wereuat06-1 from United States

When you take two great actors such as De Niro and Pacino your bound to get a great movie like Heat. This movie keeps your heart beat up till the very end. The acting is superb. Pacino the cop looking to score big against the money criminals. But De Niro is a lot smarter then he thinks being on the other side of this crime chase. He plays his character perfect with the full emotion needed to have a great story-line and a great character in this well made crime drama. Two great actors clash in a crazy story of good vs. evil. It is a perfect picture of the 90s. This movie is De Niro at his best along with Pacino actually playing a good guy. I give this movie a 10 out of 10

---

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
'95 - Year Of The Mann, 7 December 2006

Author: p_adkins2004 from United Kingdom

Here's another gem I've only just got around to watch, and its pretty much as near to a masterpiece as a film can get.

For those of you who don't know what Heat is about, it follows Lt Vinncent Hanna (Pacino) trying to track down and convict a group of cons, who are terrorising LA, headed by Neil McCauley (Deniro). Its supported by an all-star cast (Val Kilmer, Ashley Judd, Jon Voight, Natalie Portman ...) and is directed by Michael Mann.

Due to Mann's style, the LA surroundings and photography are fully utilised, creating a visual backdrop second to none, and not just serving as pleasant on the eye but also plot devices throughout.

Sure it's a cop flick, but more than being about the cat and mouse antics of the cat and mouse style story, it is an explicit snapshot of human nature and choice, it is a compact summary of what Mann clearly views as the mechanics of everyday occurrences placed under extreme stress. The subplots to each character is complex and twisted with each is a powerful subtext, which is not fully revealed till the last shot has been fired in the closing scene.

Simply stated, this film is genius. Managing to manor around the simplicity plot holes of the 'cop' genre, Mann has created a stunning canvas of human life and emotion second to known, which is kind to the eye yet persistently juxtaposing the viewer's perspective.

---

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
I loved this film, 29 November 2006

Author: jeremy3 from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Imagine a film with De Niro and Pacino on the same frame. There hasn't been one. In Godfather II, De Niro was the "flashback" Don, and Pacino played the "present time" son of the Don. I was not disappointed by the pairing of these two titans. Pairing together two titan actors is a big risk. Their egos could get in the way. This was not the case in this intelligent and exciting thriller. De Niro plays a criminal, and Pacino plays a cop. Although, on opposite sides, both characters are very similar. They both are excellent at their jobs, and they both have ruined their lives by being obsessed with their respective careers. This is the point of this film. In the end, both characters are tragic - De Niro for being trapped in his role, and Pacino for ruining his personal life in a lifetime pursuit of justice. The interaction between the characters is brilliant. There was also a tribute scene to Bullet (the McQueen film), where a chase goes through an airport. Val Kilmer also is very convincing as an apprentice criminal. De Niro's character feels an obligation to help out Kilmer's character, but also reminds him constantly that 'you have to walk away from anyone and anything within 30 seconds to get the heat off your trail'. This is a brutal reminder of how hard a life it is to be a career criminal.

---

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Excellent film, 20 May 2006

Author: cjames-16 from United States

Just finished watching this movie for the first time. I registered on IMDb JUST for the purpose of commenting on this film. This is hands down the best crime thriller you'll ever see. Val Kilmer is awesome, DeNiro is awesome, and Al as always is top notch. The shoot outs, the plot, the characters are all insanely well done. I'm actually not a particular fan of this genre of films, but this film transcends genre and just about everything else. If you ARE a fan of the genre and haven't seen this film already then GET IT, now right NOW don't even finish reading this just go get the film. If you're not a fan of the genre then I highly suggest you put aside any misgivings you have about seeing this film and watch it, it is WELL worth it. The end shot of the movie will give you chills, and if it doesn't you're dead. I can't recommend this film highly enough.

---

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Astonishing cops and robbers tale, 19 May 2006

Author: Mino

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Never have I seen L.A. look so cold and empty. The choice of music is superb as Mann depicts this self-sufficient city through a cold blue lens and a passion for detail I have rarely seen and creates one of the most complex character-study of cops and robbers ever to hit the big screen(incomparable to the original version which is not more than an action flick). The bold three hour marathon (a box-office draw-back) featuring a line-up of numerous character actors follows a web of numerous narratives(following not only the two leads, but also Neils crew: Chris, Michael, Trejo and traitor Waingro) in great detail rendering an extremely vivid picture of Hanna's relationship towards his job, life(deliberately placed second), colleagues, wife Justine, step-daughter and mainly McCauley, the man he's chasing after, but genuinely respects as a professional.

Neil McCauley's perspective is equally consistent in depicting his relationship towards his co-workers(deliberately called that, for in fact they are true friends respecting and trusting one another 100%) and trade of choice, which he does with an obsessive attention for detail and a devotion that finally will even suppress his conservation instinct and feelings for Eady.

The act of treason is depicted in rare realism and typological diversity, each shown for what it truly stands for and all involved condemned for breaking the code of honor, to which the two leads truly live and die by. Waingro-the psychotic serial killer who would sell anyone for a buck, Van Zant-the coward white-collar criminal, Alan Marciano- the sleaze ball two-timing snitch, Trejo- the true friend who succumbs to torture, and not at least Justine, for the chosen method of resolution with Vincent(these are but a few).

The moment of the heist is truly impressive for its complexity and dynamics. The attention to detail is razor sharp, as it presents a truly real-life outcome, leaving the final confrontation secluded and private between two hunters that share the same values but are on opposite sides.

---

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Great movie, 15 May 2006

Author: rannousheh from Amman, Jordan

What can I say about this movie .. Just a question ? Whats is the result of 2 stars in one movie .. for sure Its more than excellent .. I love both of Al Pacino and Robert De Nero .. hope they will work again together . The story is nice and touchable .. I think that if the cop was Robert De Nero so the story will be more touchable .. I like to see this movies more than 10 times , and each time I will find a new thing in it .. Its really nice . May be my comments does not contain enough lines - the minimum length for comments is 10 lines of text that required in the guidelines but thats what I have for this movie .. I love it , I love the stars , the story .

---

---

Page 11 of 78:

[6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]

Add another review

---

Related Links

Plot summary	Plot synopsis	Amazon.com summary
Ratings	Awards	Newsgroup reviews
External reviews	Parents Guide	Plot keywords
Main details	Your user reviews	Your vote history