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"Crockett's Mullet
is So 1986." |
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Directed by Michael Mann
- Written by Michael
Mann
Starring Jamie Foxx,
Colin Farrell, Gong Li,
Naome Harris
Distributed by Universal -
2006 - 132 mins - Rated
R |
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Jacob Hall's
Review
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C |
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The only thing more dangerous than going undercover...is boredom. |
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I never
watched “Miami Vice” (‘twas before my time), so I watched Michael
Mann’s adaptation of his ‘80s TV series without a blank slate. I have
loved much of Mann’s previous work, and I really like Jamie Foxx and
Colin Farrell, so I assumed I was in for a treat.
The result is a bizarre mixed bag. I think I know what Mann was
shooting for here, but to be completely honest, not a lot of it works.
This is a surprisingly sloppy film that would be a total mess if not
for a few key items.
Strangely, “Miami Vice” favors characters over action and explosions.
Since I often criticize modern movies for too much action and not
enough character, you would think I would appreciate this. Well folks,
this is a rare exception to that philosophy. This movie needs a
stronger dose of action. It needs a shot of adrenaline straight into
it’s heart. The characters in “Miami Vice” talk and talk and talk some
more…and when they are done talking, they talk some more.
This would have been fine if the dialogue in Mann’s script was
inspired, witty or interesting…but it’s not.
The purpose of this dialogue is to establish the characters and their
inner turmoil…but it doesn’t. Foxx and Farrell play attitudes, not
characters. I never thought of Crockett and Tubbs as characters. I
never felt any conflicting emotions. I never saw a friendship or
partnership between the two of them. They have sex with their
girlfriends a lot, but I never feel any passion. They are
one-dimensional badasses who shoot and knife-fight really well, but
don’t emote.
The action that IS here is incredible. None of it is as good as the
bank robbery shootout in “Heat,” but it’s pretty damn visceral.
Unfortunately, there is about five minutes of action in this slow,
plodding movie. At one point, I was practically begging the movie to
let our heroes shoot something.
I liked the gritty digital cinematography. I liked the editing
(particularly in the action scenes, where Mann proves yet again that
he is the most competent action director currently alive). I liked how
the movie opens in the middle of the story and never quite wraps up
into a neat package.
I did not like the massive supporting cast of unimportant characters
who felt like padding. I did not like the pacing. I did not like that
there is nothing to truly fall in love with in this film.
I know that Mann, Foxx and Farrell will rebound. All three of them are
too good to fail forever. It’s been all over the news lately about how
difficult this film was to shoot…I honestly wish they could have held
this project back until they could actually make it comfortably and
competently. |
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© Written by Jacob Hall -
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Me! |
TC Candler's Comment
It looked
great. The two leads were convincing and
intriguing. Unfortunately the story as a
whole was uninvolving and not worth a place in
the memory banks.
Richard Propes' Comment
n/a
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