Notable only for being the progenitor of Heat, this is Michael Manns least accomplished movie to date. Take Heat, its basic scenario cop (Scott Plank) doggedly hunts criminal (Alex McArthur), against the backdrop of Downtown LAs steel colossi is identical (as revealed in Empire issue 81), then
remove the fabulous acting, the philosophical depth, the beautiful camerawork and stinging action. LA Takedown (the film formerly known as LA Crimewave) has the kernel of a great idea (point proven by Mr. Mann) but is in itself just a curiosity why was it never mentioned during the hype and hoopla of its big brother? embarrassingly bereft of Manns typical class and style. Thankfully, he did go on to make Heat.