Heat, one of Michael Mann’s most iconic films and easily recognized as one of the best heist films of our generation, is celebrated almost twenty years later with this new Definitive Director’s Edition.
“Michael Mann’s Heat – one of the most powerful crime dramas of all time – is more incendiary than ever. This all-new 2-Disc Director’s Definitive Edition features a new restoration personally supervised by Mann, plus hours of revealing extras that include new interviews (one moderated by Christopher Nolan) of the director and cast as they reflect two decades later on the meticulous preparation and challenges that went into making the epic Los Angeles crime story.
Academy Award Winners Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro dually power the momentum and large scale of this groundbreaking film written and directed by four-time Oscar Nominee Michael Mann. In the wake of a precision heist of an armored truck, an obsessive detective (Pacino) begins to hunt Neil McCauley (DeNiro), a ruthless professional thief, and his crew through the streets of Los Angeles. As the stakes escalate, their lives begin to mirror and unravel, and McCauley’s crew initiates its most dangerous and complex heist. Co-starring Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Ashley Judd, Amy Brenneman, Diane Venora, Natalie Portman and Jon Voight, Heat delivers hard-hitting action, gripping suspense and stunning performances.”
As far as crime-dramas go, Heat is considered one of the greats. It’s not just the thrilling action sequences, the superb suspense and amazing acting, but a culmination of the best of the best in every category that makes this film so iconic.
Although many consider Heat a heist film, there are so many more layers to it that bring to life a story of all of these characters that are all on a path of convergence. Neil’s belief “Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner” is explored in depth in the relationships of all the characters in the film. Mirrored in Al Pacino’s character Vincent and the downward spiral his relationships always take, this is clearly a world that is close to impossible to have a normal relationship and normal life. Through this exploration of loneliness in Neil and Vincent, they find a connection in each other as they play this calculating game of cat and mouse.
While the supporting characters in the film are all brilliantly written and well-rounded, it is Neil and Vincent, the contrast and similarities between the two men that are the driving force of the story. Neil being a force of reason and logic has always stuck to a strict code in order to stay off the radar, despite the utter emptiness in his life. As he looks around him at the closest thing to friends he has, as they all enjoy time with family, Neil longs for that as well, and as he strays from his code he risks everything in the hopes of wanting to feel that connection, however forced it may be. Vincent’s loneliness is clear as well, but not because of a code, but because the nature of his job and the horrors he has seen makes any type of relationship difficult. The world he has to walk in to take down the evils in this world has changed him, and there really is no one to share this with.
What Michael Mann succeeds in achieving is the exploration of this duality between these men in the midst of a thrilling story of a bank heist. The direction is superb, and with two of the best actors of all time, Pacino and DeNiro, there is already an air of greatness, especially during the inevitable confrontation the entire film is working toward. Heat is a film in its own category that presents something new with each viewing.
Video
Heat is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.40:1, which received a new restoration personally supervised by Michael Mann. This transfer looks very good, with a great balance of color and grain, maintaining this gritty look but also giving it a much clearer picture than in other transfers.
Audio
The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the most part, levels are well balanced throughout the film. There are a few minor areas where dialogue is a bit hard to hear, which is accompanied by a very loud scene that makes it very inconsistent, and very loud if you decided to turn your receiver louder to hear.
Fortunately, this doesn’t occur throughout the entire film, and the amazing score and well-known gun battle scene remain well mixed and is one of the highlights of the audio track.
Special Features
This Definitive Director’s Edition has included new extras on the disc which makes the extremely low price tag on this set worth every penny. The Academy Panel is a must-see, with some great memories shared by everyone involved, and some hilarious moments with Pacino and DeNiro, as well as several other cast and crew who join them on stage.
On this set you’re going to see:
- NEW Academy Panel reuniting Mann, Pacino and DeNiro and moderated by Christopher Nolan
- NEW Toronto International Film Festival Q&A with Mann
- Commentary by Michael Mann
- The Making of Heat
- Pacino and DeNiro: The Conversation
- Return to the Scene of the Crime
- Additional Footage – Deleted Scenes
- Theatrical Trailers
Heat remains just as important of a film today as it was over twenty years ago, and just as entertaining. This Definitive Director’s Edition is a superb tribute to this iconic film, and well worth the price tag.
