Heat

In this cops and robbers flick by Michael Mann (1995), Al Pacino shines as usual as he attempts to catch professional perpetrator Robert De Niro & company. HEAT is one of those must-see epics (calling it a mere action movie is like calling Jaws a movie about a fish) that comes around once in a blue moon. I've heard it said that the 3 hours seemed too much; but I think that one does what one has to in order to tell a story right.

Mr. Pacino, hands down, is the star of the show. He blusters and cajoles his way around in Al Pacino fashion, and then becomes all heart when the time calls for it. He is the only one who shows any raw, genuine emotion. Robert De Niro plays a cool customer and defines "honor on the streets" as he leads his band of un-merry men. The bad guys are a great supporting cast and Val Kilmer (a personal favorite) does another fine character performance as an ex-SAS go-to man afflicted with inner demons. The baddies are so well developed and so human that I eventually found myself rooting for them and hoped in vain for a conclusion that would somehow be a satisfactory stalemate for both side. Yes, the ending disappointed me but then, dems de breaks.

HEAT does romanticize the dubious occupation of a professional thief. De Niro's gang are always ahead of the police and only get screwed up because of a salty ex-gang member. All of De Niro's men are married to wives who don't mind, for the most part, what their husbands do for their paychecks. And Pacino admires the gang's professionalism, so much so, that he is willing to set up a peace talk with De Niro and even gives up the cause at one point. Only at the end is justice somewhat conveniently served.

I would watch HEAT just for this one bank heist scene. Everything is running like clockwork for the robbers until the cops catch wind of the job. All pandemonium breaks loose when a shoot out ensues. The whole escape sequence down the middle of an L.A. main street looks like footage out of Beirut. There is an unreal aura to it and I had to replay that scene again and again.

All in all, this is a smartly done movie. It's got everything: superb acting and character development, poignant cinematography, some good plot twists and a realistic look at life on both sides of the law. It's not a happy movie (you'll constantly feel for the women who have to live with the consequences of associating with their dangerous men) but I highly recommend purchasing...or renting...this one.