SummaryThe cocaine cowboys of the 80's are gone, but Miami's Casablanca allure, the undercover cops and the attitudes of Michael Mann's culturally influential television series have been enhanced by time in the feature film version of Miami Vice. (Universal Pictures)
SummaryThe cocaine cowboys of the 80's are gone, but Miami's Casablanca allure, the undercover cops and the attitudes of Michael Mann's culturally influential television series have been enhanced by time in the feature film version of Miami Vice. (Universal Pictures)
While it never approaches the richness and gravity of a great Mann film like "Heat," Miami Vice blurs the thin blue line to similar effect, and he features a couple of bravura setpieces, including a tense raid on an enemy hideout and a shootout with chaotic, you-are-there immediacy. If only all summer movies were this majestically slight.
Miami Vice is hands down one of my favorite films of all time. I don't quite understand why it was never received well but I think it's just amazing. Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx are both great, as well are the rest of the supporting cast, Michael Mann did an incredible job directing the movie, the plot develops well and is very interesting, the action scenes are done brilliantly, etc. Honestly, I don't think there's a single flaw in the movie. It's definitely different, so I guess some people expected something else. It's not your typical action flick, that's for sure. It's almost more of an action-thriller in how it's filmed and presented to the viewer. The shaky cam and camera angles and effects work when used because of the overall feel. I'm not saying everyone will love it because it is a bit slower and replaces dialogue with introspection from the actors forcing the audience to pick up on the subtleties and nuances of the plot's development. Those things aren't in your face so some people might get bored with it. Not me. I thought it was great.
M. Mann's movies are not suited for everyone and this one proves it. Dark atmosphere, lack of humor and general seriousness are showing not only Miami behind the scenes but also hardship of PD in drug wars.
Many people are not satisfied with Collin and Jamie as Sonny and Rico, for their characters have little or none resemblance to original show, but i couldn't care less. Sonny and Rico are cool and smooth in this flick but also serious because situation ask for it. People are dying, cartel is going for their friends so there is noting to be funny about. Action scenes in this movie are most realistic that i' ve seen on big screen except Tropa de Elite. That alone said, if you like Bad Boys or Expendables and you expecting something like those movies, this one isn't for you.
Locations are great, from Cuba to Miami to Columbia and Haiti. Soundtrack is best, totally suited the movie and scenes.
Downside to this movie is un development of the characters, especially Sonny and Rico but acting of whole cast makes up for it, with akcent on Gong LI and Luis Tosar.
To sum it up : This movie is not for everyone and it's not trying to be. Mann knows what he want 's and delivers it, like it or not. Just like Sonny and Rico.
Unlike most TV-to-movie transitions, Mann returns to his roots and delivers what amounts to a slightly overblown episode, brimming with style and characteristically short on substance.
It's refreshing to hear some old-fashioned percussive tension in service of a director who knows what he's doing. Even when the screenwriter is losing his way.
Farrell appears to be a rarity in undercover culture, a vice cop who goes on the lowdown as an Irish beatnik. Oh, that's a good disguise for South Beach. As for Foxx, he's still channeling Ray Charles through squinty eyes and a kind of shaky head. They have zero chemistry.
Perhaps vice isn't what it used to be, or maybe Crockett and Tubbs just aren't all that interesting when removed from their appropriate time slot, but this may well be the dreariest and most monochromatic time you'll have at the movies all summer.
From a narrative perspective, Miami Vice is average to below average. From a technical perspective, the film is perfection. The cinematography and action set pieces in this film are incredible, and shot with a style that only Michael Mann has. This isn't a movie for the mainstream audience, nor is it a straight-up action film as it was marketed. The story isn't quick in its pace or particularly compelling, but coming from someone who enjoys Michael Mann films because of the way he films, I loved this movie.
One of those movies that Michael Mann's filmography simply didn't need. A remake of the TV series that feels an other movie full of realistic action but that just says nothing new and add nothing to action crimes.
Other than the names and setting, the movie incarnation of Miami Vice seems to have very little in common with the show that inspired it, which I imagine will disappoint anyone who checked it out hoping for some retro reminiscing. The acting was extremely stiff, the plot was uninteresting and extremely cliched, and the setting was far too modern. While there was a couple decent action scenes and some may like the "romances" - but you'd be better off watching some re-runs of the original series or better made action movies.
I don't know what to rate a movie that I can't even stand watching. Miami Vice was just dull, darkly lit with a lot going on without explanation. Maybe that's how the show was, but this was a struggle.
Production Company
Universal Pictures,
Motion Picture ETA Produktionsgesellschaft,
Forward Pass,
Foqus Arte Digital,
Metropolis Films,
Michael Mann Productions