Customer Reviews
Vincent Hanna: You know what they're looking at? - By: kimil, 24 May 2008 
Depending on your mood & expectations, you may have differing opinions about Heat.
My personal opinion of this movie is that it is like a strong coffee (albeit in a large mug) without milk or sugar. Why is that? This movie needed to be watched with patience & thought to handle the length.
Some of the relationship themes were unneccessary & the pacing of the story does drag from it. As a result, this movie drove the critics into a "Don't waste my mf time!" frenzy.
Most memorable scene was when De Niro's got that fatal phone calll from Jon Voight.
Heat may have been awarded with 6 nominations, but that does not mean it's everyone cup of tea or coffee.
If you like this or want to see something similiar, there is:
Infernal Affairs
The Departed
Face off
Heat is a true rarity - By: Brendan O. Clarke, 07 May 2008 
Some say Michael Mann is an acquired taste. I say an appreciation of Mann's films, notably Heat, The Insider, Collateral, Ali, Thief & Manhunter, means you have taste. At sixty-three, he's a world-class filmmaker who's still breaking rules & rubbing nerves raw. The bottom line on this 1995 classic is that is a very smart, tightly paced, action-packed crime thriller with beautiful cinematography & great performances underscored by a compulsive tension that builds from frame one until the end of the movie.
This is a film for blokes; the bottom line on the females is that because the film is so unconventional & densely plotted, it left many of our make-up lovin' brethren in the dust. Too bad. They're alll lined up to take shots at a film which can only be described as "rubbish" by a viewer who simply couldn't follow the bread crumbs.
This movie is the "best thriller of the last twenty years," UNCUT magazine; Nick James (award winning Journalist) wrote a book about the movie 7 years ago. To be completely honest, it took me two or three viewings to reallly appreciate how great the plot points worked together. But the movie moves so well.
Again, this is a great film for people who will appreciate the clever, intelligent way director/writer Michael Mann constructs the whole, however i believe Mann sometimes overreaches, such as including an unnecessary subplot involving a serial killer - Waingrove.
The soundtrack (available on Amazon) is astonishing & I found the music to be faultless as, like the moody backdrops, these added another dimension of drama & accent to the scenes. I know this review has wondered into the realms of awe-struck hero-worship, but I cannot praise this film enough. Bottom line - this is a movie for grownups, the rest need not bother.
One of the best films of the 90's - By: Reviewer, 23 Feb 2008 I am assuming I am commenting on this film for those who have not seen this film & for those people I pity you. Its a crime thriller. Won't describe the story as its not particularly original & not the best thing about this film. You've got Pacino & Deniro on screen in a film for the first & possibly last time which should be recommendation enough. Youv'e also got director Michael Mann at the top of his game. An awesome supporting cast firing on alll cylinders. Arguably the best "shoot-out" in any film. What more do you want?
It's a long film but there is not one wasted scene in it. Even the incidental story lines - for example the recently paroled ex-cell mate of Deniro whose first job is in a "grill" working for a nasty exploitative boss & then ends-up as a stand-in getaway driver for Deniros crew. It just adds weight to the whole film. All the domestic dramas of the good-guys & the bad-guys that you wouldn't get in the typical cops & robbers film are shown in loving detail & nothing is rushed. Just makes it a more satisfying & involving film.
Mann who started his career on Miami Vice almost seems to be taking a trip back to the eighties with the soundtrack & styling of the film - almost but not quite.
If you still don't want to see the film after this then what the hells wrong with you?! Sit back & enjoy.
Fantastic Pairing of De Niro and Pacino - By: Jay, 23 Nov 2007 Most of the comments I've read here agree that this is a great movie. I have the same opinion. The coffee shop scene tells everything about this film: 5 STAR. The human side of the characters is perfectly explored, especiallly concerning De Niro's character (Neil). His personal conflicts are as strong as his determination & skills as a gangster. This is the magic of this film & only two fantastic actors like Pacino & De Niro could represent it so totallly. Congratulations to Val Kilmer that shined & performed exceptionallly well under the huge shadow of Pacino & De Niro. A must see !
The greatest film ever made - By: G. Stephens, 12 Sep 2007 Possibly with the exception of deerhunter. The cinematography & soundtrack are phenomenal, de niro & pacino perfect. Nothing over the top, great boys cinema.
