Writer: Michael Mann (Screenplay)
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Diane Venora, Amy Brenneman, Ashley Judd, Mykelti Williamson, Wes Studi, Ted Levine
Plot: Neil (De Niro) and his professional criminal crew hunt to score big money targets, Banks, vaults, armor cards and are in turn hunted by Lt Vincent Hanna (Pacino) and his team of cops in the robbery/homicide police division. A botched job puts Hanna onto their trail while they regroup and try to put together one last big retirement score. Neil and Vincent are similar in men ways, including their troubled personal lives. At a crucial moment in his life, Neil disobeys the dictum taught to him long ago by his criminal mentor ‘Never have anything in your life that you can’t walk out on in thirty seconds flat, if you spot the heat coming around the corner’ as he falls in love thus that stage is set for a suspenseful ending.
Verdict: Crime Saga Brilliance
Story: When you see a cat and mouse film you usually have a very plan story where one side is always considered good while the other is considered bad. This offers you a chance to see into both their personal lives and see they are very similar and when it comes to their work they are also results driven. Learning more about not just the lead two we also look into the supporting characters lives giving us a chance to route for whoever we feel is right. (9/10)
Actor Review: Al Pacino – Vincent Hanna the detective whose personal life is challenged by his falling apart marriage while in pursuit for a man who may well be smarter than him. Solid from Pacino, as we are used to from him, becomes one of the most iconic roles in the 90s films. (9/10)
Actor Review: Robert De Niro – Neil a seasoned thief you does everything by the book using only people he trusts. Great from De Niro who shows why he is the king of crime villains. (9/10)
Actor Review: Val Kilmer – Chris second hand man to Neil who does a lot of the dirty work and watch out for his sniper skills. Good from Kilmer showing that a killer can be a good person. (8/10)
Actor Review: Jon Voight – Nate the man who helps set up the jobs but never gets his hands dirty. Good supporting role but only seems to be there for advice. (7/10)
Actor Review: Tom Sizemore – Michael another member of the crew who is very loyal but not as smart as the other two. Good supporting role showing that Sizemore was a good actor before his personal problems. (8/10)
Actor Review: Supporting Cast – With a huge supporting cast of well-known actors it is hard just to pick all of individual they are all excellent and perfectly cast.
Director Review: Michael Mann – Creates a brilliant crime sage with great shots, characters and story. (9/10)
Action: Great gun fights throughout. (9/10)
Crime: Great crime saga used throughout. (10/10)
Believability: Pacino and De Niro both portray characters based on real people. (4/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Settings: All the settings are used to great effect as the story unfolds mostly Los Angeles. (9/10)
Suggestion: This is one for all the action film fans, most of the more casual fans will find this a bit slow but if you are a fan of the genre you will enjoy. (Action Fans Watch)
Best Part: Final shoot out.
Worst Part: Slow in places.
Action Scene Of The Film: Bank Robbery.
Trivia: First onscreen meeting between Robert De Niro and Al Pacino
Oscar Chances: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Tagline: An L.A. Redemption
Overall: Brilliant Crime Saga
Rating