Heat

Robert De Niro and Al Pacino being directed by Michale Mann.
We should expect nothing but a Materpiece and for once that is exactly what is delivered.
A Mind Blowing take on the Cops and Robbers genre, refreshing it and keeping it the same all in one audacious go.
The Cop and Robbers are presented as Supertars with layers of Emotion and Codes of Conduct on either side.
The Story is Tightly Plotted, Expertly Directed and the film looks Gorgeous.
The 2 Action Set Pieces the one at the beginning and the one in the middle are Authentic, Exciting and Terrifying at the same time.
To be honest I have still not seen a better shoot out in a movie since.
An now we come onto the acting.
Both De Niro and Pacino are Excellent, but De Niro,s no nonsense Career criminal just edges it.
Val Kilmer is a joy to watch in one of his best roles and Jon Voight is a revaklation in a small but significant role.
The rest of the cast is maded up with spot on… more »

Robert De Niro and Al Pacino being directed by Michale Mann.
We should expect nothing but a Materpiece and for once that is exactly what is delivered.
A Mind Blowing take on the Cops and Robbers genre, refreshing it and keeping it the same all in one audacious go.
The Cop and Robbers are presented as Supertars with layers of Emotion and Codes of Conduct on either side.
The Story is Tightly Plotted, Expertly Directed and the film looks Gorgeous.
The 2 Action Set Pieces the one at the beginning and the one in the middle are Authentic, Exciting and Terrifying at the same time.
To be honest I have still not seen a better shoot out in a movie since.
An now we come onto the acting.
Both De Niro and Pacino are Excellent, but De Niro,s no nonsense Career criminal just edges it.
Val Kilmer is a joy to watch in one of his best roles and Jon Voight is a revaklation in a small but significant role.
The rest of the cast is maded up with spot on performances from Danny Trejo, Dainnae Venora, Amy Brennan, Tom Sizemore and Natalie Portman.
Other Movies defo worth watching from the same director include, Collatral, Miami Vice, Public Enemies, The Insider and Last of the Mohicans

Interestingly this is a remake of a TV movie by the same director made only 6 or 7 years previous. Although "LA Takedown" itself was a good movie this has the advantage of a bigger budget, stellar cast and being the film which first presents De Niro and Pacino on screen at the same time.

Although the De Niro/Pacino factor is something this movie is known for it is not all the movie is. In my opinion it is also one of the best films ever brought to the screen.

The amazing cast includes as already mentioned Al Pacino and Robert De Niro plus Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Ashley Judd, Natalie Portman, Wes Studi and Dennis Haysbert. Not only is the cast almost dream like on paper but also all put in great performances (in many cases personal bests).

Al Pacino plays Lt Vincent Hanna, an LA detective who is passionate about his work to the point he is unable to keep a satisfactory personal life running as well. His performance is very powerful and at times almost… more »

Interestingly this is a remake of a TV movie by the same director made only 6 or 7 years previous. Although "LA Takedown" itself was a good movie this has the advantage of a bigger budget, stellar cast and being the film which first presents De Niro and Pacino on screen at the same time.

Although the De Niro/Pacino factor is something this movie is known for it is not all the movie is. In my opinion it is also one of the best films ever brought to the screen.

The amazing cast includes as already mentioned Al Pacino and Robert De Niro plus Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Ashley Judd, Natalie Portman, Wes Studi and Dennis Haysbert. Not only is the cast almost dream like on paper but also all put in great performances (in many cases personal bests).

Al Pacino plays Lt Vincent Hanna, an LA detective who is passionate about his work to the point he is unable to keep a satisfactory personal life running as well. His performance is very powerful and at times almost bordering on over the top but this fits the character well. De Niro arguably out does Pacino with his brilliantly understated performance as Hanna's nemesis - thief Neil McCauley. This is easily De Niro's best performance in years - the realism of his character is amazing. Kilmer plays Chris Shiherlis a member of McCauley's gang and gives a solid performance supporting the two key stars. As I say all the cast put in a great performance but it is worth mentioning Natalie Portman's early role as Hanna's troubled step daughter Lauren Gustafson, it shows why she has become such a big star since.

Director/writer Michael Mann shows this must truly have been a labour of love. Every detail from character development to photography and music is spot on. The film has the audacity to be one of the most well acted and written dramas and yet also include possibly the greatest shoot out scene ever seen.

If you watch just one cops and robbers movie in your time, make sure this is the one.