Michael Mann is probably still best known as the creator of Miami Vice which is a bit of an injustice to him.
With Heat he has shown beyond a doubt that he is a major talent and that Last Of the Mohicans was no fluke.
He has given us a hell of an adventure with perfect casting, amazing musical scoring used beautifully and a great story that holds the viewer for its entire length. Even though Heats killer scene- a breathtaking shootout in downtown LA- takes place two thirds of the way through the movie, the rest of the movie is no less rivetting for having blown its load early.
A cop chasing a robber may be the oldest story in cinema but Michael Manns script is filled with such well drawn characters brought to life so well by the excellent cast it seems like no one has ever done this storyline before. Although much was made of Pacino and DeNiro acting together for the first time, the perfoemances across the board are first rate. Natalie Portman is typically good as are Wes Studi, Val Kilmer, Ashley Judd, Mykelti Williamson, Diane Venora, Ted Levine, Tom Noonan and Jon Voight.
Interestingly Noonan was the serial killer in Manns Manhunter and Levine in Silence Of the Lambs.
The music by Elliot Goldenthal is by turns haunting, pulse inducing and outright frantic.
Heats shootout is one of the best you will ever see. The carnage to cops, robbers, police cars and even innocent bystanders has to be seen to be believed. See this DVD on a decent surround system and you are in for a treat.
Heat gets better and better with each viewing!