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RE: MIAMI VICE - 16/8/2006 12:19:22 PM

iainthekid

Posts: 123
Joined: 21/7/2006

Mann's style is there for all to see, great visuals and camerawork, good action stuff. Plot drags in the middle for me, and I'm sorry but why do great director's keep using Colin Farrell - the man cannot act. I thought he was terrible in this, although not as bad as his efforts in S.W.A.T. and The New World, Mann probably deserves some credit for that. Although the fact it focused so much on Farrell meant the excellent Jamie Foxx was wasted - would much rather have seen more of him. The two of them aren't exactly Pacino and De Niro. Overall all, good, but a downturn in form for Mann.

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Post #: 121

hmm v v v v cool and made but CHRIST NO ORIGINALITY!!! - 16/8/2006 2:33:39 PM

Funk

Posts: 105
Joined: 20/3/2006

Yup it was slick, yup it was cool.......... but y do all the fellas have 2stare like they r transfixed with everythingggggggggg and its not original in anyshape or form annnnnnnnd it is so slow paced ull feel like uv been watchin a lord of the rings extended version dvd!!!

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Post #: 122

Too much style, too much grain and no opening credits! - 17/8/2006 8:53:17 PM

Gold Digger

Posts: 143
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Outside London

As dull as a latter episode of the TV series. Some nice touches, very authentic looking but terribly tedious. What we needed was some chases and some gun battles that made this more of a ride. Terribly disappointing.

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Post #: 123

Miami Crappy - 18/8/2006 11:26:59 AM

mr_e2006

Posts: 4
Joined: 18/8/2006

I saw this film the other day, and I went into it a fan of Michael Mann movies, but this is one of his worst, by a long way. Farrell and Foxx just act like a shower of muppets, the story line is just ridiculas, with a pretty predictable ending to be honest. I found myself bored for most of the movie, wondering what certain scenes have to do with the overall plot of the movie. But Mann, as always, sticks to using thet authentic sounds of guns being fired, and this is the highlight of a pretty bad film that had so much potential going for it. Not one I'll be waiting for on dvd.

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Post #: 124

RE: Miami Crappy - 18/8/2006 4:00:38 PM

cocknose

Posts: 68
Joined: 20/2/2006
From: south yorkshire

ARSE!!!!!!! the shootout at the end was excellent, really impressive. its a shame i had to sit through a very poor movie to get to it. so he fancied her, great! take her to cuba on your own time farrell!!!!!!! get rid of the tash too you knob, that never looked good!! if it was 90 minutes it would have been a good film. too long, too empty.

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Post #: 125

Excellent Film - 18/8/2006 6:35:38 PM

garfieldian

Posts: 1
Joined: 18/8/2006

Brilliant Entertainment I went to see it with two others and one disliked it. What’s not to like, I can’t quite understand the negative reviews. Great plot, great direction. Better than the 80’s TV series and better than Heat in my opinion!

I think the problem is because there was no preamble, people felt a bit uncomfortable. Mann is a first rate director and knows how to suck you in. I had great fun deciphering the cryptic dialog. Most critics liked it too. MV2 please!!

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Post #: 126

WTF!? - 19/8/2006 2:13:30 PM

waffle

Posts: 8
Joined: 16/12/2005

J'accuse Empire of not having watched this film.
It was truly horrible, and I know it's not cool to diss Michael Mann films, but c'mon - this was awful! It was boring and slow with rubbish dialogue and terrible acting. How many love scenes do we have to see? How many lingering shots of boats and planes doing their thing? Yeah, we get it, these guys are players and they have a jetset lifestyle at their disposal. Shame there was no more substance.
Hugely disappointing. Please Empire, stop trying to please the PRs and studios, and make yourselves look cool. Just tell the truth. It's what journalism's about dammit.

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Post #: 127

- 19/8/2006 6:21:17 PM

doctorolorinbats1975

Posts: 6787
Joined: 30/10/2005
From: Harrow

Excellent film that links well with Heat and Collateral. As Empire noted, Farrell and Foxx really pulled off a sense of brotherhood and friendship, as well as the pathos from the pressures of undercover. Some thrilling scenes too. Strong blockbuster, though not as thematically deep as I'd expect from Mann. Nonetheless, he makes a great blockbuster.

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Post #: 128

RE: - 19/8/2006 9:12:51 PM

Rgirvan44

Posts: 18934
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Punishment Park

Mann's films age like wine - repeated viewings reap great rewards. When I watched Collateral for the first time I thought the shootout at the end was silly. Now after repeated viewings I relise SPOLIER

it was Vincents inabilty to adapt that killed him, heck you can even see where the bullets hit the bars of the subway door. I did not pick up on this, now its up there with Heat. I fully expect futher viewings of Vice to be similar.

I must say though...and I will be slagged for this...but I kinda wish they had used Phil Colins version of 'In the Air Tonight'. The cover was crap and while im not, i repeat NOT, a Phil Colins fan, his verison has the emtion behind it and would have fitted perfectly with what had just happened.

Also - the real badass of the movie was the bald guy on the Vice squad who goes behind the drug guys vans in the trade off. I love that there are no questions or worried glances given - its just the deal that has been dealt - so awesome.

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Post #: 129

Triumph of style over content - 20/8/2006 3:55:40 PM

Sprocket

Posts: 2
Joined: 29/12/2005

As a MM fan from as far back as the original series I went to see this with high hopes bouyed up by your review but came away very disappointed. Did I see the same film as the reviewer? The plot was almost non-existent and other than some reasonably filmed boy's toys there was nothing to keep my interest throughout this overlong indulgence. Heat was more stylish and, perhaps with the exeption of the rather predictable ending, a far superior film all round.

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Post #: 130

perplexed! - 20/8/2006 4:07:42 PM

Kash

Posts: 10
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: west sussex

I really dont know what to make of this film. Having greatly enjoyed michael mann's other films i went in expecting to like this despite the mixed reviews. Right from the off it was, well, a bit...boring! Sorry, i have to say it! The visuals were amazing, the acting was good and i even kinda liked colin farrell's tash and mullet combo but there just seemed to be something lacking. That something presented itself somewhat in the last hour with the shootout etc, but til then it just dragged on and was a bit confusing! I reckon it might be different after a 2nd viewing but gonna wait for the dvd! Overall, just a bit disappointed!

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Post #: 131

Superb - 20/8/2006 4:23:22 PM

trueborndjross

Posts: 91
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Kirkcaldy

I can't understand some of the negative views this film has been given, but each to their own I suppose! It's without a doubt one of the best films I've seen this year. OK so the only resemblance to the TV show is the title but it's a classy, stylish and gritty thriller. If you want a buddy flick go and rent Bad Boys!

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Post #: 132

RE: Superb - 21/8/2006 9:45:28 AM

Bulletproof_Monk

Posts: 681
Joined: 4/10/2005

I for one loved this and am even considering going to see it again.

Beautifully shot, fantastic soundtrack and the shootouts were jaw droppingly intense. My only problem was that Colin Farrell was a little blank. I'm not one of the Farrell haters, but he just felt wrong for the part and you never get a sense of where the character is coming from. Admittedly this fits in with the undercover theme of the film, but it makes it hard to sympathise with the character, I found it unclear whether his relationship with Gong Li was geniune or part of his undercover work. Jamie Foxx did a lot better with arguably less material.

Not for everyone. It is slow, and there were snores and walkouts in the screening I saw. But, Farrell aside, I was engaged and entertained.

Good stuff.

4 out of 5.

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Post #: 133

- 21/8/2006 11:55:20 AM

ukedge87

Posts: 502
Joined: 14/10/2005

I really really really wanted to like this film after the great trailer and Mann's previous films. However, I was let down and felt that the film was poor.

Visually I thought the film was spot on - beautifully shot, great landscape and super dark colour work and the soundtrack created an atmosphere that the audience could easily soak up.

However, the plot was so confused and unclear that the film was a flop. I was left with question after question as the final credits rolled as to why the film had developed as it had, and who certain characters were.

The dialogue was sketchy, and there was just one too many generic sex scenes in the middle hour.

My view on this film is if your intrigued by it either through the trailer, the press or the original series your quite likely to see it - and for you it is worth it. It is a spectacle if nothing else. However, this film will soon be forgotten and will lurk in the shadows of Michael Mann's CV next to the likes of Heat, Collateral and Manhunter.

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Post #: 134

RE: - 21/8/2006 1:54:43 PM

The Moog

Posts: 18
Joined: 21/8/2006

So this film has nothing to do woth Miami Vice other than the title and the 2 main characters names? So in other words just a way of generating large box office for what would otherwise have been an ignored run of the mill cop thriller. Pants i say. Pants.

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Post #: 135

RE: MIAMI VICE - 21/8/2006 5:35:57 PM

Dready

Posts: 749
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Maidstone Toon!

I went to see this yesterday and I wasnt that overly impressed. Perhaps it had something to do with the large meal I'd had before going into the cinema, which made me feel a bit too comfy and tired. Or perhaps it was the bunch of twats that are hated by all cinema goers that sit at the back,talk the entire way through the film and dont aid in your enjoyment of the film. Or perhaps it was even one of the afore mentioned, coming to sit 2 seats down from me and throwing her guts up over the 2 people sat in front of her. I tried to ignore it but the smell of sick and cider(or Lambrusco) whatever it was, really didnt help me in getting into the movie atmosphere and storyline. I may go and try again to watch this, if I do it wont be on a Sunday. Arse!!

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Post #: 136

- 22/8/2006 3:14:19 PM

kachna_ff

Posts: 28
Joined: 11/10/2005

Very very disappointing. Expected so much more from the genius who brought us Heat and Collateral. Vice have no substance, no flow, it just doesn’t move me at all. Some good action saves it form one star rating, but it is just not enough for a good film.

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Post #: 137

- 22/8/2006 3:14:33 PM

kachna_ff

Posts: 28
Joined: 11/10/2005

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Post #: 138

- 22/8/2006 3:15:30 PM

kachna_ff

Posts: 28
Joined: 11/10/2005

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Post #: 139

- 22/8/2006 3:15:38 PM

kachna_ff

Posts: 28
Joined: 11/10/2005

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Post #: 140

- 22/8/2006 3:15:52 PM

kachna_ff

Posts: 28
Joined: 11/10/2005

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Post #: 141

RE: Miami Vice (2006) - 23/8/2006 8:32:49 AM

FUCK LEO AND HARRY

Posts: 4
Joined: 20/6/2006

No doubt this was tedious dribble. My last stool had more originality and character than the plot. An abominable waste of my time.

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Post #: 142

Mediocre - 25/8/2006 10:49:36 PM

fee_kh

Posts: 23
Joined: 5/2/2006

I can't say I am dissapointed - that would imply some sort of emotional involvemetnt, which this film just did not generate. It was long winded, confusing, the speak into your beard and mumble as much as possible did not help either, and throwing in some viciously cool hardware did not help as much as I thought it would.
It is a bad sign when I am fidgeting throughout a film, not to mention for once actually finishing my popcorn. The better the film the less I eat.
However,most damning of all was the fact that it did not feel like Miami Vice. A Mann film yes, but not Miami Vice. Sorry, no prize.
If you are curious about the film, wait until it's on tv. It has the feel of an extended tv episode anyway.

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Post #: 143

Good - but not enough hawiian shirt action - 27/8/2006 12:51:26 PM

stumagoo

Posts: 11
Joined: 28/7/2006

Great action, solid perfomances - mann on reasonable form, but not nearly enough hawiian shirt for my liking (-1star).

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Post #: 144

Miami Ice - 27/8/2006 9:59:01 PM

stevehs

Posts: 1
Joined: 27/8/2006

Cool? I should say so... However, cool doesn't make a great movie. Miami Vice the movie is removed enough from the TV series to appeal to a 21st century audience and has enough Michael Mann signatures to keep the fans entertained. Notwithstanding this, the movie is a hard watch and as relentless as you would expect from Mann. Don't expect too much and concentrate; as well as finding the product placement (Evian & IWC amongst others) tiresome, you'll be entertained. An obvious set-up for a possible sequel aside, this deserves 3 stars. An enjoyable way to pass a couple of hours or so.

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Post #: 145

RE: Miami Vice (2006) - 28/8/2006 12:13:29 PM

Super Hans

Posts: 2307
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Watford

Finally got round to watching it last night and can't say I was overly impressed. Very drawn out for such a bog-standard story, It was far too wordy - I know Mann wanted to make it as realistic (although it was far from it really...) as possible but it just meant a load of people babbling on in cop-speak which I lost interest in pretty quickly. I also agree that the sex scenes were kind of pointless.

Compared to Heat and Collateral the acting was nothing special either - I felt while I was sitting there that anyone could have played the lead roles and it wouldn't have made much difference. A lot of the shaky camerawork annoyed me too, although that seems to have become the norm for making films 'gritty and realistic' I suppose. I also didn't feel we needed quite so many shots of speedboats jetting across the water - a bit too 'style over substance' for me.

I felt the only thing which made it worth watching was that Michael Mann is good with his shoot-outs. The scene in the caravan and its build-up was good, as was the final showdown.

4 Stars from Empire seems a bit much, I think they need to stop sucking the balls of every major director who releases a new film - it gets a bit daft after a while!

2 stars

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Post #: 146

RE: RE: - 28/8/2006 6:38:26 PM

Brock

Posts: 84
Joined: 10/10/2005

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rgirvan44

Also - the real badass of the movie was the bald guy on the Vice squad who goes behind the drug guys vans in the trade off. I love that there are no questions or worried glances given - its just the deal that has been dealt - so awesome.

I liked him too, most people would have gone "...Can't we at least draw straws?"

He was played by the great Domenick Lombardzzi (From HBO's the Wire where he plays a more laid-back kind of cop)

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Post #: 147

RE: RE: - 29/8/2006 9:50:10 AM

MuckyMuckMan

Posts: 2327
Joined: 1/10/2005

I was greatly disappointed with Miami Vice last night! I am a huge fan of Mann but he let me down last night when I watched his latest film. Firstly I had a problem with the start of the film, dropping you straight into an operation in a nightclub without any exposition or opening credits! I actually thought the cinema had put the second reel of the film in instead of the first (which has happened to me before).
So after a 'promising' deal gone wrong it degenerated into a slow arty farty piece of cinema that seemed to take an age for anything notable to happen. The dialogue was truely awful (with lots of cop garb) and totally unintelligible leaving it hard to follow what the hell was going on. With a very slow middle including two love scenes that needn't to be there the film left me yurning for action. The film certainly needed more than one decent action set piece, and having to wait two hours for the finale, I was ultimatley left underwelmed by the excellent gun fight (it wasn't a patch on the Heat gun fight).
The film was certainly beautiful to watch, although at times the picture was very grainy, leaving me undecided whether it was meant to be like that or the cinema had received a dodgy reel.
Overall I would have given this film 2/5, but because of the outstanding gunfight at the end I will bump it up to 3/5.
SPOILER ALERT Also wasn't there supposed to be a leak from within the FBI/Police giving the drug dealers information on the cops/customs goings-on which was left un-explained. SPOILER ALERT OVER.

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Post #: 148

RE: RE: - 29/8/2006 3:56:44 PM

Bobby1975

Posts: 297
Joined: 17/7/2006

Does anyone have any info on Miami Vice's performance,reciept wise in the US, is the studio pleased...?

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Post #: 149

- 30/8/2006 2:07:29 PM

Midnight

Posts: 20
Joined: 17/2/2006

Miami Vice is "ok" as a film but as Miami Vice it is one of the biggest letdowns i have seen in my life! There is no chemistry between Crockett and Tubbs, the love scenes are laughably unnessasery, and its so obviously a huge rip if the original "Smugglers Blues" episode in the tv series. If this is what the tv series would have been like if Mann was allowed to have his way then it would have been THE greatest flop of the 80's... Also you would have to have seen the tv series to know who all the characters are as none of the original team are named. So for reference: The woman who shoots the man in the face after one of the coolest puns in the film in the trailer shootout is Gina Calabrese. The same Gina Calabrese who has an on-off relationship with Sonny in the series, and none if this is shown in the film...
The cool bald guy is Stan Sweitek, who is an electrics expert, has a gambling proplem, and has an unhealthy obsession with Elvis...
The guy who is shot repeatidly in the legs during the final shootout of the film is Larry Zito. Also an electrics expert, is Stans partner, and drives a big green bug van...
Trudy is Ginas partner, and their alteregos are both randomly named hookers.
This film captures none of the ambience it had in the 80's and leaves huge unanswered CRATERS of confusion which you will only ever understand by wayching the tv series.
Michael Mann, this time, you have ROYALY FUCKED UP!

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Post #: 150