MovieChat Forums > Heat (1995) Discussion > Dearly Overlooked Classic

Dearly Overlooked Classic

posted 5 years ago by Ace_Spade (9601)
16 replies | jump to latest

I truly believe that Heat should be spoken of in the same breath as some of the all-time great movies. I'm talking about Raging Bull and Apocalypse Now. It's that good.

This movie brings a compelling drama story with a huge number of variables (cops vs. robbers, family drama on all sides, betrayal, the relationship between Pacino and De Niro's characters, etc.) together with a killer action film. The bank robbery scene is one of the best action scenes of all time, and that's just one of them. It is also infinitely quotable - particularly Pacino's character - and the performances are outstanding. Even the sidekick character/ small roles are awesome. Tone Loc? Wes Studi? Hank Azaria? Forget about it: they're all great.

It should really get more love than it does.

[–] GordonGartrelle (1267) 5 years ago

I agree.
It is absolutely underrated in the fact that it's not up there with great films.

Don't forget this film had no CGI.

I googled and couldn't find it but am sure it is a training film for either cops or criminals.

And also, lets not forget LOL that we are all trying to live that DeNiro walk out within 30 seconds in case you have to go.
Seriously, I need that. Moving as an adult took weeks. it was exhausting.

[–] Ace_Spade (9601) 5 years ago

It's not cops. It's marines. From IMDb Trivia:

"Val Kilmer was thrilled to learn that the moment in the gunbattle [sic] scene where he runs out of bullets, and rapidly changes his magazine, is regularly shown to Marine recruits as an example of how to perform the action properly."

[–] GordonGartrelle (1267) 5 years ago

thanks.

[–] Towelie_Towel (1779) 5 years ago

I believe it doesn't get as much attention as those other movies mentioned because those other movies are more of a character and psychological study.

This one is a straight, pure cop/heist action movie. It's well done and intense, but the dramatic scenes between couples and between themselves are nothing to write home about.

[–] CheekyMonkey (584) 5 years ago

I think the parallel between the two men (the cop & the criminal) was interesting... their outlooks on life... their inability to connect to the real, important social/family lives... was interesting... but they were primarily men of action, not men of introspection... it didn't have the neurotic attention to the self that appeals to critics and the academy...

Heat is an iconic movie... I think it's too masculine for the current era's sensibilities, which might be why it isn't mentioned as much nowadays... It's a gem...

[–] Towelie_Towel (1779) 5 years ago

It's probably true.

[–] rudeboymurray (3281) 5 years ago

I only saw it once, in the cinema in 1995, and was bored throughout. Whatever my own feelings, however, it has a big fan following and is mentioned pretty frequently.

[–] Ace_Spade (9601) 5 years ago

If I went into it expecting more of an action blockbuster like Die Hard or something, I could see getting bored because it's paced out as a drama. It's almost just hiding as an action movie.

The first time I saw Spy Game I was expecting more of a Mission: Impossible or James Bond type spy movie. It was more of an "espionage thriller", so I walked out of it a little bored and put off. I watched it again later with some friends who hadn't seen it yet, and because I knew what it was trying to be that time I got into it and now I really dig the film.

I'm not trying to say, "Oh, the only reason you didn't like Heat is because you had 'wrong' expectations," but I guess I'm just musing aloud (or, the message board equivalent of "aloud") about our very, very different experiences with the film.

[–] rudeboymurray (3281) 5 years ago

Obviously it's a very long time ago but I remember looking forward to the film.. I had liked a couple of Michael Mann's earlier movies, Manhunter especially, and I was aware that this was a long and more dramatic film (much more my thing - I'm not generally an action fan). I found it ponderous and overblown, and it went on forever. I've long planned to have another look at it after such a long time, considering the lofty reputation which it has in some circles.

[–] Ace_Spade (9601) 5 years ago

It's a real favourite of mine for sure. My other Michael Mann favourite is Collateral.

[–] rudeboymurray (3281) 5 years ago

I quite enjoyed Collateral. Manhunter is my favourite film of his followed by The Insider.

[–] tom8 (3119) 5 years ago

bank robbery scene is ridiculous, cops are useless, and the robbers rarely have to reload...

and the girl just standing there... cliche all around. lame af

[–] PeteyandJia (300) 5 years ago

"the robbers rarely have to reload..."

Not only is that not true, but in fact HEAT did such a realistic job of showing the reloading process, that the USMC actually used Val Kilmer's reloading footage from the shootout scene to show Marine recruits in Fort Bragg how it's done.

[–] JaqenHgar (731) 5 years ago

Well the advisers were former SAS operators, so there's that.

[–] bop101 (148) 5 years ago

And the Marines lack the know how on magazine usage.

[–] CheekyMonkey (584) 5 years ago

it's just so cinematic...