Heat

A three-hour gem full of star actors! Few people can make a film that is so kinetic, energetic, desperate, riveting, blunt and brilliant with such a simple story. Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer give perhaps the best acting performances of their careers. However, it is disappointing to see a very overlong running time and insufficient space for the female cast – Ashley Judd and little Natalie Portman – but I am satisfied. A solid olds-chool flick. 80%. (02/18/2014)

A film that redefined the genre of modern detective stories. A film that pitted actors considered among the greatest in the history of cinema against each other. A film that etched itself into history with the most realistically portrayed shootout (one that will never be erased). Indeed, Heat excelled in many ways. As a fan of crime films, I regret that today’s filmmakers don’t devote the same passion to similar genre pieces as they did in the past. If Heat were made, say, 20 years later, I believe it would have been trimmed by about an hour and the creators would have tried to amplify everything. However, it’s the gradually building pace with excellently written dialogue scenes that captivated me in Heat. Overall, the film doesn’t rush, which artistically elevates it even more. Michael Mann is a professional in every respect; few filmmakers can retell a seemingly linear story as masterfully as he does. His camera cuts and precise direction give the film an air of craft perfection. Add to that the divine cast (in crime films, no villain has ever matched the quality of the protagonist; Robert De Niro's character is unmatched in charisma). And the action is top-notch, with the shootout being the cherry on top. It's a pity I couldn’t experience that loud sequence in a movie theater, as it must have been quite the event. And the ending, where the audience sees how the two central characters respected each other, is an experience that won’t be repeated. A masterpiece. I give it 93%. (08/24/2020)

An unassuming action crime film that delves into the psyche of the characters down to the smallest detail, giving strong meaning to even the smallest scene and allowing the tension to build to unbelievable levels. And who do you root for? With a persistent shiver down my spine, perhaps both of them. The moment when Neil sees Vincent approaching on the sidewalk is a bombshell that had me trembling with anticipation throughout the second half. Heat is the first open victory of Michael Mann's civilian form and enduring sense of immediate interaction with the plot. I gotta hold on to my angst. I preserve it because I need it. It keeps me sharp, on the edge, where I gotta be. (02/07/2006)

I love this. A famously created script that does not divide good and evil. The antipodes have the greatest understanding for each other, and the viewer does not necessarily take a stand based on morality and incompatible principles. Two demonic outcasts, completely committed to their mission. Coincidentally, they are aiming weapons at each other. Mann carries the film with his precise directing, which has an incredibly captivating pace and timing of dramatic climaxes. The final scene is minimalist, brilliant. A precisely tuned soundtrack. Perfect cast in every detail and the appropriate acting performances. Everything works: the action, the psychology, and the plot. If you want a good crime drama, this is it. (08/26/2008)

A very decent, significantly above-average action crime film, which narrowly missed out on earning five stars. Charismatic characters, a thrilling story with intense scenes and unexpected twists, and an excellent cast led by Al Pacino and Robert De Niro with the corresponding performances. Unlike many genre-related films, Heat stands out with a decent script that reveals and develops the psychology of its characters. The wild shootout during the bank heist is a premature climax of the film. What bothered me was the ending, where the experienced gang leader McCauley makes a rookie mistake completely contrary to the thinking and actions of his character. Overall impression: 85%. (08/17/2008)