I've been a Michael Mann fan since Russell Crowe starred in the directors best movie The Insider. Having re-visited Heat and watched Mann transform Tom Cruise into a villain in Colateral, I was keenly awaiting the movie adaptation of the TV series, Miami Vice.
I saw the teaser trailer a few months ago and was instantly draw in to Manns camera-work and cinematography. Nothing was said about the plot during the trailer. I though both Farell and Foxx looked like they would be able to pull of looking cool in the flick. As well i'd read that Mann was going to make the movie darker than the pastel coated TV series (of which i'd watched maybe one episode in my life).
Unfortunately, Mann achieves only average success in following up his other crime capers involving cops and robbers. The film does not have a coherent plot for the average viewer. I believe Mann deliberately chose a style of editing which was choppy and unlinked. But Mann cannot be entirely blamed for this as the budget ran over due to hurricanes in the South, which led to a ballooning budget (over $135 Million). I am certain the suits made him cut out significant parts of the film. There are rumours that Mann filmed a boat race sequence that was canned.
I don't think the film entirely fails though. The film is an exercise in style. There is no doubt that Mann has a great eye for framing a shot. (million times better than that hack Michael Bay). In addition, there are 3 gun battles which will send your ears ringing due to Mann's attention to authenticity.
It can be said that Collin Farell has more screen time than Foxx. If Farell had more of a story to work with and more action to partake in, this film could have been the one that catapulted him into super-star status which has eluded him ever since his stunning debut in Tigerland.
But i do think this film will be appreciated as time goes on. Almost all of Mann's films age like a fine wine. Heat was considered an average cops and robbers story 10 years ago. Yet, now both critics and audiences say that it is a masterpiece and one of the best films of the 90's. As well as The Insider, which is IMHO, Crowe and Manns finest hour.
I enjoyed Miami Vice even though i expected a lot more from Mann in terms of a storyline. I do hope that there is an extended cut of this film on DVD. Maybe closer to 3 hours in order to fill in a plot and a few more action sets.
I saw the teaser trailer a few months ago and was instantly draw in to Manns camera-work and cinematography. Nothing was said about the plot during the trailer. I though both Farell and Foxx looked like they would be able to pull of looking cool in the flick. As well i'd read that Mann was going to make the movie darker than the pastel coated TV series (of which i'd watched maybe one episode in my life).
Unfortunately, Mann achieves only average success in following up his other crime capers involving cops and robbers. The film does not have a coherent plot for the average viewer. I believe Mann deliberately chose a style of editing which was choppy and unlinked. But Mann cannot be entirely blamed for this as the budget ran over due to hurricanes in the South, which led to a ballooning budget (over $135 Million). I am certain the suits made him cut out significant parts of the film. There are rumours that Mann filmed a boat race sequence that was canned.
I don't think the film entirely fails though. The film is an exercise in style. There is no doubt that Mann has a great eye for framing a shot. (million times better than that hack Michael Bay). In addition, there are 3 gun battles which will send your ears ringing due to Mann's attention to authenticity.
It can be said that Collin Farell has more screen time than Foxx. If Farell had more of a story to work with and more action to partake in, this film could have been the one that catapulted him into super-star status which has eluded him ever since his stunning debut in Tigerland.
But i do think this film will be appreciated as time goes on. Almost all of Mann's films age like a fine wine. Heat was considered an average cops and robbers story 10 years ago. Yet, now both critics and audiences say that it is a masterpiece and one of the best films of the 90's. As well as The Insider, which is IMHO, Crowe and Manns finest hour.
I enjoyed Miami Vice even though i expected a lot more from Mann in terms of a storyline. I do hope that there is an extended cut of this film on DVD. Maybe closer to 3 hours in order to fill in a plot and a few more action sets.