LuckyWillMiami Vice Review
August 18th 2006 08:52
If you have a detachable seatbelt, maybe you should bring it with you to strap-on when seeing this movie. But, in retrospect, it will just restrain you from having all fun you know you could be lapping up. Based on the television series of the same name in the 80’s it followed the lives of two guys (actors Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas) in the police force fighting crime while sporting pink shirts and either silver or light grey suits. Perhaps laughable and possibly new-wave trendy now, but back then it was the shit.
Fast-forward to the mid-noughties under the writing and directing of Michael Mann who originally wrote an episode for the show, as well as blockbusters like “Heat” and the “The Insider”, and wrote the screenplay for “Last of the Mohicans” and “Ali”, the crew gets another shot in the arm thanks to the lead cast consisting of Irish bad boy Colin Farrell of “Phone Booth” and “Alexander” fame, as well as Jamie Foxx riding high on the notoriety of his autobiographical masterpiece “Ray”. With this entourage, you know it’s going to be explosive. And explosive it is.
The film looks gorgeous, no wait, dripping with sex appeal. It’s glossy, fluid, electric yet silky smooth. Shot in places representing Miami, Cuba and other non-descript Latin area’s you can almost feel the temperature of the locations. Owing to this is possibly why they almost always wear ‘shades’, even at night. There’s money all-round; the leads are always dressed well, drive flashy cars or speedboats and inhabit luxurious dwellings including mansions, or remote getaways with beach views.
The rest of the film is all action based. Interestingly, there’s only a moderate amount of violence or shoot-outs, but throughout the film is an anxiety of it just about to happen. This is due to Michael Mann’s credit I believe. Also, peppered throughout is the ‘hand-held’ style of directing that lends itself to you actually feeling like you are viewing ‘real’ scenarios playing out. With these parts engagement with the happenings onscreen is minimal, like a documentary, so if you missed it, you missed it, but nevertheless adds to the exciting realism and surmounting tension.
Gripes with the film are mostly surrounding character development and interaction i.e. the dialogue felt stunted and broken down into either commands or statements and following that interaction was compromised, which is not what I would reasonably expect from undercover partners that are getting in way over the heads.
Having said that, albeit with the characters being slightly under-developed (which could be taken as just “playing cool”) it was the greatest thrill I’ve had in the cinema for a long time. See it.
Fast-forward to the mid-noughties under the writing and directing of Michael Mann who originally wrote an episode for the show, as well as blockbusters like “Heat” and the “The Insider”, and wrote the screenplay for “Last of the Mohicans” and “Ali”, the crew gets another shot in the arm thanks to the lead cast consisting of Irish bad boy Colin Farrell of “Phone Booth” and “Alexander” fame, as well as Jamie Foxx riding high on the notoriety of his autobiographical masterpiece “Ray”. With this entourage, you know it’s going to be explosive. And explosive it is.
The film looks gorgeous, no wait, dripping with sex appeal. It’s glossy, fluid, electric yet silky smooth. Shot in places representing Miami, Cuba and other non-descript Latin area’s you can almost feel the temperature of the locations. Owing to this is possibly why they almost always wear ‘shades’, even at night. There’s money all-round; the leads are always dressed well, drive flashy cars or speedboats and inhabit luxurious dwellings including mansions, or remote getaways with beach views.
Image from www.smh.com.au
The rest of the film is all action based. Interestingly, there’s only a moderate amount of violence or shoot-outs, but throughout the film is an anxiety of it just about to happen. This is due to Michael Mann’s credit I believe. Also, peppered throughout is the ‘hand-held’ style of directing that lends itself to you actually feeling like you are viewing ‘real’ scenarios playing out. With these parts engagement with the happenings onscreen is minimal, like a documentary, so if you missed it, you missed it, but nevertheless adds to the exciting realism and surmounting tension.
Gripes with the film are mostly surrounding character development and interaction i.e. the dialogue felt stunted and broken down into either commands or statements and following that interaction was compromised, which is not what I would reasonably expect from undercover partners that are getting in way over the heads.
Having said that, albeit with the characters being slightly under-developed (which could be taken as just “playing cool”) it was the greatest thrill I’ve had in the cinema for a long time. See it.
Rating: 4 starz
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Comment by jon
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I also own the first two season of the TV show and have always had a soft spot for it. (Read used to wear pastel suits and no socks)
The film seems to have polarized audiences, they either love it or hate it. Ive heard passionate rants on both sides.
I think I might try and see it this weekend. Ive been putting it off for fear of disappointment.
Comment by Justin
What it lacks compared to other Mann films is substance and depth of character but makes up for it in the flashy style and it's instantaneous feel - something akin to the appeal of Pirates of the Carribean - which is no masterpiece, but still a grossly enjoyable film nevertheless.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I own about a fair few swashbuckling adventures dating back to Errol Flynn in Captain Blood and the most recenty being CutThroat Island.
Actually I used to consider CutThroat Island a guilty pleasure, but after seeing the Carribean Buckaneers, Ive decided its not half bad.
Pirates was just a mess, the script was sloppy, the story and plot rattles along ignoring anything that happened more than five minutes ago.
The action scenes got old fast and most of the cast are just plain annoying. In fact if it didn't star one Johnny Depp (Whos perfomace is good but by no means his best) I doubt I could have lasted all the way through it.
Ofcourse this is just one mans opinion and the Box office receipts certrainly disagree with my POV.
Besides, Im meant to be talking about a Michael Mann film. To cut it all short I just pray that Miami Vice is a better film than Collateral.
Comment by Justin
Though you're absolutely right about the Depp factor, which the film owes the majority of it's credit to. (I hope he also got a slice of the royalty and toys rights).
As far as 'Collateral vs Miami Vice', I'd pick Miami for a few reasons and one would namely be over taste in leading actor choice. The rest I leave up to you. See it if nothing else but to quench your curiosity.
Comment by Scarlett
Dessert
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Ive never been accused iof being silent before. You have just never heard me before. I love some movies and hate others with equal passion.
Still havent seen Miami Vice yet, ended up getting bogged down with other work. Maybe next weekend.
Thank You For Smoking has actually superceded it now.
Comment by Justin
"Thank you for not smoking" seems like the sleeping giant at the cinemas. Have to see it yet.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Havent seen Thank you for Smoking yet.
Hope tomorrow. Busy life at the moment, we will see.
Comment by jon
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