Heat

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)

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. (03/31/2024)

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)

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. (06/20/2006)

I needed a second screening to fully discover the genius and filmmaking level of this masterpiece by Mann. Now I know where to look for the tip of the iceberg, which in this case is a metaphor for all crime films, and to what height Heat rises above all others. Together with The Godfather and The Fugitive, it’s the most intense experience in the genre, and for me personally, in cinema as such. Long after the end, you can still feel on your own skin the incredible atmosphere of the second half, which will forever be written in golden letters in the history of cinema – every scene heightens the tension and the emotions, every look of the excellent actors is worth a thousand words. The action scenes are incredibly realistic and impressive, and the famous shootout in the city streets is probably the best ever on screen. The script is well thought out and unreadable, just as it should be, and I've never seen such a brilliant acting duo as the one Pacino and De Niro have created here as two sworn enemies that respect each other; their amazing performances complete what Mann wouldn’t have been able to do on his own, and most importantly, the two of them bring the film to the unwavering top. They, and the developed psychology of all the other characters, admittedly stretch the runtime quite a bit, but without that the story could never have achieved such power and brought even the toughest action fan to tears with the final shot. Now I also know another thing I can be a little proud of: I was born the year Heat was made. (09/15/2011)