Heat

Michael Mann wrote and directed something I’ve been wanting to see for a long time. He showed us precisely the line separating good and evil and the entire movie balances on that thin line. It isn’t clear for a long time who is good. Is anybody? Or is everybody good in their own way? Al Pacino certainly doesn’t come across as a positive hero and the same goes for De Niro. Even so, you find yourself crossing your fingers for them and the ending is incredibly nerve racking. Plus the action and mainly the big shootout is so wonderfully raw that your eyes are glued to the screen. If he manages to pull off something like it with Miami Vice, it’ll be Christmas in the summertime for me. (20/06/2006)

A discreet 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 tension to reach an unbelievable level. And who to root for? With an insistent shiver down my spine, perhaps both. The moment when Neil sees Vincent approaching on the sidewalk is a bomb that had me trembling with anticipation throughout the second half. Heat is the first open victory of Mann's civilian form and the enduring sense of immediate interaction with the plot. I have anxiety within me. I hold it here to stay sharp and alert. I need that. (07/02/2006)

Heat is three hours full of genre joy. It may seem a bit dated now, and the original Michael Mann script is from 1979 and the events that inspired it are of course even older. The first endeavor was supposed to be a series, which remained at the pilot - L.A. Takedown. Nevertheless, even with that 90s look, it is still a first-class acting showcase by Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. There are solid performances even in the supporting roles, especially Val Kilmer, Ashley Judd and the young Natalie Portman. Heat has several peaks, the opulent shootout comes after two hours as the climax of the first act, surprisingly fitting into the second act is also a very well-written romance and a family drama of epic proportions. A surprisingly solid experience. (31/03/2024)

Very decent, significantly above-average action crime film, which narrowly missed out on five stars. Charismatic characters, thrilling story with intense scenes and unexpected twists, excellent cast led by Al Pacino and Robert De Niro and 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%. (17/08/2008)

When you put Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in one movie, it is essentially impossible for such a combination not to work. Both of them are actors par excellence, as they prove with this film, which allows them to excel both in action and in acting. Michael Mann directed a film that has drive, even though it lasts three hours, and it also has interesting characters on all fronts. (17/03/2016)