It took me a few days after watching it to realize that I actually did like the movie. Here's a breakdown of the good and the bad:
GOOD: - Mann's direction - Very realistic and authentic feel to it - HD film gives film an almost cinema verite quality - Farrell and Foxx as the moody cops - Ciaran Hands as the frustrated CIA man - Overall solid acting - Fantastic, hyperreal shootouts
BAD: - Too technical; I understood it was going for the whole realism thing but it really felt at times like I had been on a stakeout for half a day - Bit talky - Weird pacing - Could've used a little more action - Hard to follow; demands full attention
I thought the film was a logical and well done update to the original show. People whine and complain about it not being enough like the show and all I can say is, had they replicated the 80's feel of the movie, right down to the pastel colored suits and sockless loafers look, this movie would have been a joke. Mann was going for serious and he achieved it by making the necessary deletions and additions. It reminded me of his earlier Heat, in how it examines the intricacies of life in the cops and crooks game. The film had a voyeuristic feel to it and I think a big part of that was due to the use of HD to film this.
I'm recommending the film but reservedly. It may be too heavy for some. People looking for nostalgia will most likely be disappointed and it's a bit slow in spots. There's not really a lot of action but what's there is showstopping. I know this review is kind of up in the air but like I said, it took me a couple of days after watching it to realize that I actually did like it. I think it's worthy of a look and shouldn't be dismissed too readily.
RATING: ***1/2 out of *****.
GOOD: - Mann's direction - Very realistic and authentic feel to it - HD film gives film an almost cinema verite quality - Farrell and Foxx as the moody cops - Ciaran Hands as the frustrated CIA man - Overall solid acting - Fantastic, hyperreal shootouts
BAD: - Too technical; I understood it was going for the whole realism thing but it really felt at times like I had been on a stakeout for half a day - Bit talky - Weird pacing - Could've used a little more action - Hard to follow; demands full attention
I thought the film was a logical and well done update to the original show. People whine and complain about it not being enough like the show and all I can say is, had they replicated the 80's feel of the movie, right down to the pastel colored suits and sockless loafers look, this movie would have been a joke. Mann was going for serious and he achieved it by making the necessary deletions and additions. It reminded me of his earlier Heat, in how it examines the intricacies of life in the cops and crooks game. The film had a voyeuristic feel to it and I think a big part of that was due to the use of HD to film this.
I'm recommending the film but reservedly. It may be too heavy for some. People looking for nostalgia will most likely be disappointed and it's a bit slow in spots. There's not really a lot of action but what's there is showstopping. I know this review is kind of up in the air but like I said, it took me a couple of days after watching it to realize that I actually did like it. I think it's worthy of a look and shouldn't be dismissed too readily.
RATING: ***1/2 out of *****.