L
Logan lover DK
Guest
It's a good movie
I agree with ~*Magical*~.
IMO, the movie felt like a sequel in that it was picking up where the predecessor left off, but from what and where? It's hard to care about or root for characters, let alone the two main protagonists, if you don't know much about them. And yeah, the love scenes were gratuitous, but there was no heat between Harris and Foxx, nor Farrell and Li. Outside of my minor confusion of Bay and Mann, I don't mind if a movie that lacks action as long as the story is coherent; I'd actually prefer it.
Shrrshrr, had to do something to get things rolling. The Zito chant, curtain call and Bradley walk-off were all amazing... would've been better to be there in person.
IMO, the movie felt like a sequel in that it was picking up where the predecessor left off, but from what and where? It's hard to care about or root for characters, let alone the two main protagonists, if you don't know much about them. And yeah, the love scenes were gratuitous, but there was no heat between Harris and Foxx, nor Farrell and Li. Outside of my minor confusion of Bay and Mann, I don't mind if a movie that lacks action as long as the story is coherent; I'd actually prefer it.
Shrrshrr, had to do something to get things rolling. The Zito chant, curtain call and Bradley walk-off were all amazing... would've been better to be there in person.
UM, I don't doubt there were some (probably most) people expecting something along the lines of a Bad Boys type film, myself included. Or it could be something as simple as a case of people just jumping on the "it sucks" bandwagon. However, I don't think that the former (and shouldn't have) ruined the entire film for them. Well, at least, it didn't for me.
One of my problems with it is that the entire film dragged. I said earlier that the way Mann directed this, it hardly made feel sympathetic for either Crockett or Tubbs. Oh, the girl from Pirates is in the hospital? And I'm supposed to care because her and the guy who won an Oscar playing Ray Charles made love? Also, it was two and a half hours, but it sure felt longer. I know I wasn't that bored when I was watching Heat. Maybe I couldn't get over how hilarious that pornstache was on Colin or hated Jamie's smug and huge undeserving ego, :lol:. I'm not one to pull out my cell phone, but there were three to four times were I had to check when was it going to end. But I've sat through similar runtimes or longer for movies and they've breezed by.
I could probably attribute it to me not being a Vice aficionado and that I'll agree about the connoisseurs bit. However, it's ironic that you say this movie doesn't talk down to the viewers, yet... Anyways, I think it's somewhat condescending and pretentious to say Miami Vice is "a movie for adults" and that "oh, I figure the teenagers wouldn't get it because it's a 'grown-up' movie." What I like about movies are that they're entirely subjective. I'm a young adult and even find redeeming aspects from "bad" movies even it's stretching for an excuse to rationalize seeing a movie (oh hey, Ocean's 12).
Sometimes, a piece of crap is just exactly that and can't be turned or made into something more. On the bright side, it's nowhere near Scary Movie 4 or Date Movie terrible.
One of my problems with it is that the entire film dragged. I said earlier that the way Mann directed this, it hardly made feel sympathetic for either Crockett or Tubbs. Oh, the girl from Pirates is in the hospital? And I'm supposed to care because her and the guy who won an Oscar playing Ray Charles made love? Also, it was two and a half hours, but it sure felt longer. I know I wasn't that bored when I was watching Heat. Maybe I couldn't get over how hilarious that pornstache was on Colin or hated Jamie's smug and huge undeserving ego, :lol:. I'm not one to pull out my cell phone, but there were three to four times were I had to check when was it going to end. But I've sat through similar runtimes or longer for movies and they've breezed by.
I could probably attribute it to me not being a Vice aficionado and that I'll agree about the connoisseurs bit. However, it's ironic that you say this movie doesn't talk down to the viewers, yet... Anyways, I think it's somewhat condescending and pretentious to say Miami Vice is "a movie for adults" and that "oh, I figure the teenagers wouldn't get it because it's a 'grown-up' movie." What I like about movies are that they're entirely subjective. I'm a young adult and even find redeeming aspects from "bad" movies even it's stretching for an excuse to rationalize seeing a movie (oh hey, Ocean's 12).
Sometimes, a piece of crap is just exactly that and can't be turned or made into something more. On the bright side, it's nowhere near Scary Movie 4 or Date Movie terrible.
M
~*Magical*~
Guest
I just wanted to feel something for the characters. Or better understand why they did what they did. It was like we were thrown into the story and had to play catch up. Which isn't a bad thing. But when you aren't given more insight into the characters or why they risk their lives like they do it just feels cheap or hollow. My brother said to me "they do it because they are cops". But cops have a reason for doing what they do. And cops who work vice and have to "become" the character especially should have a reason or motivation. And what keeps that person grounded? There was none of that.
It was just a basic plot line that was filmed very gritty and sleak looking with little character insight and development.
Plus, like Jacob1983 said, it seems like a couple of those sex scenes were just thrown in there. I also found the music playing over the movie to be a little distracting in some of the parts. The music in the movie could have been better if it had a score for some parts of it instead of rock/rap/soft rock playing over scenes.
It was just a basic plot line that was filmed very gritty and sleak looking with little character insight and development.
Plus, like Jacob1983 said, it seems like a couple of those sex scenes were just thrown in there. I also found the music playing over the movie to be a little distracting in some of the parts. The music in the movie could have been better if it had a score for some parts of it instead of rock/rap/soft rock playing over scenes.
U
UnsilentMajorty
Guest
Incorrect.
It was marketed as an action-movie, but the film itself is a drama with some pieces of action in it. Big difference.
It was marketed as an action-movie, but the film itself is a drama with some pieces of action in it. Big difference.
J
Jacob1983
Guest
Michael Mann has directed Oscar nominated movies like Collateral, HEAT, The Insider, and Ali. Miami Vice is not even in the same league as those movies. I have seen Collateral many times and it is an action movie. One thing that made Collateral a great action movie is that it did not obsess over sex scenes like Miami Vice. HEAT could be classified as an action drama but it still has a lot of action. Miami Vice the movie was overhyped. Jamie Foxx has the Oscar curse. He thinks since he has an Oscar he can be in any movie and the movie automatically be a hit. The reason why I was so disappointed and angry after watching Miami Vice was because I was expecting a lot of action in the movie. I was saying to myself "what was Michael Mann thinking". Jamie Foxx and Colin Farell must be happy though. Miami Vice is the number 1 movie this weekend but with just 25 million dollars.
U
UnsilentMajorty
Guest
These are valid observations -- Not that everyone else's comments weren't valid; I am just saying this is something to think about as it is honest and goes beyond just whether or not you like the film, the director, the actors, etc. and is more objective than subjective...
Which is why I don't have any faith left in professional movie critics as they claim they are "objective" when the clearly have agendas and biases against certain studios, films, genres, et al... Sometimes because they are being paid by a rival studio to deliver said review.
As I said, I have not seen the film yet, but I will shortly and then give my two cents.
Which is why I don't have any faith left in professional movie critics as they claim they are "objective" when the clearly have agendas and biases against certain studios, films, genres, et al... Sometimes because they are being paid by a rival studio to deliver said review.
As I said, I have not seen the film yet, but I will shortly and then give my two cents.
N
Nayden-fan868
Guest
The cinematography is what turned me off. The home-movie effect in lighting and camara and work is stupid I think. It puts me to sleep and it doesn't feel like a movie and I think it slows the movie down.
Like Collateral, this was suppose to be an action-thriller, and it was instead one of the slowest movies I've ever seen
Like Collateral, this was suppose to be an action-thriller, and it was instead one of the slowest movies I've ever seen
M
~*Magical*~
Guest
I think my problem with the movie is that it felt really cold. It was a beautifully directed movie. But the plot outline was very BASIC. And the characters weren't developed at all. I guess they just assumed that people should have know the characters and why they acted or did the things that they did from the tv show. But that show was on a long time ago. This movie should have introduced us again to them and showed us why these guys put their lives in the situations that they were put in.
Plus, I think Jamie Foxx and Collin Farrell had no chemistry at all. I don't know how they expected us to believe that these guys had so much faith in each other.
Plus, I think Jamie Foxx and Collin Farrell had no chemistry at all. I don't know how they expected us to believe that these guys had so much faith in each other.
U
UnsilentMajorty
Guest
I was finally able to see this (and it will be on DVD next month) and I can see why it didn't do that well... But I also don't think it is as bad as many said, either.
In my opinion, what hurts the movie is with a title like "Miami Vice" everyone is expecting some kind of "Bad Boys", blow away the drug dealers every five seconds kind of film... Which, if you are a fan of Michael Mann, you know his films have far more depth and a much slower pace than this.
I also think because the actual plot is VERY subtle a lot of people don't realize that there is a plot because as much as people like to pretend they are intellectual movie conisseurs, the fact is they are spoon-fed plot points like new born baby and consider this "smart" movie making. I'm sorry, but it is true.
The plot of Miami Vice is very simple: Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs go under cover in a Columbian Drug Cartel to not only gather enough evidence to take the master mind down, but to expose a leak in the inter-agency task force that is also trying to take down the Cartel and that has resulted in a few agents deaths prior to Crockett and Tubs joining.
That's it.
Where I think it loses people is this film actually shows viewers how drug cartles actually function and bring product into the United States. Most films just cover this in dialogue, or an action sequence where they bust the shipments. Miami Vice actually takes you into this world in a realistic way to show you how complicated the logistics of such operations are. Maybe this isn't good "movie material", but this is what Michael Mann excels in: Taking viewers beyond the veil of most crime organizations and those who run those organizations. He did this in Heat and Collateral as well.
Also, what I don't think many viewers get is that Miami Vice the movie is also supposed to be like an extended, contemporary episode of the original TV series... And it is. This is why I don't think they go into characterization that much because it is supposed to be like you are watching "this week's episode" and not a movie. Granted, this may not be the best way to tell a story and there is about an hour and a half of scenes that were cut out that do go into the characters backstories more, but this is what the film is trying to be. I am not making excuses for it, but for Miami Vice fans like me who grew up with the show, this film is VERY "Vice-Like" in how it is shot and edited.
This brings me to my last point which I brought up before, but this film was marketed completely wrong to appeal to the wrong audience, I.E. teens just because Collin Farrell and Jamie Foxx are in it and because it is a cops and robbers movie.
This film is made for adults... Like I said in my first post... And specifically, adults like me (and older) who are familiar with the show. It is not made for 14-year olds who weren't even alive when the show was on. I'm sorry to be harsh, but this is also what hurt the film as well in my opinion.
Bottom Line: Give it a chance on DVD... Especially if it is the extended Director's Cut which I hear it is going to be. You don't have to love it, or even like it, but compared to the multitude of crap that has been coming out of Hollywood lately, Miami Vice is one of those films that has some redeeming qualities IF you know how to look for them and appreciate films that don't talk down to their audience.
In my opinion, what hurts the movie is with a title like "Miami Vice" everyone is expecting some kind of "Bad Boys", blow away the drug dealers every five seconds kind of film... Which, if you are a fan of Michael Mann, you know his films have far more depth and a much slower pace than this.
I also think because the actual plot is VERY subtle a lot of people don't realize that there is a plot because as much as people like to pretend they are intellectual movie conisseurs, the fact is they are spoon-fed plot points like new born baby and consider this "smart" movie making. I'm sorry, but it is true.
The plot of Miami Vice is very simple: Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs go under cover in a Columbian Drug Cartel to not only gather enough evidence to take the master mind down, but to expose a leak in the inter-agency task force that is also trying to take down the Cartel and that has resulted in a few agents deaths prior to Crockett and Tubs joining.
That's it.
Where I think it loses people is this film actually shows viewers how drug cartles actually function and bring product into the United States. Most films just cover this in dialogue, or an action sequence where they bust the shipments. Miami Vice actually takes you into this world in a realistic way to show you how complicated the logistics of such operations are. Maybe this isn't good "movie material", but this is what Michael Mann excels in: Taking viewers beyond the veil of most crime organizations and those who run those organizations. He did this in Heat and Collateral as well.
Also, what I don't think many viewers get is that Miami Vice the movie is also supposed to be like an extended, contemporary episode of the original TV series... And it is. This is why I don't think they go into characterization that much because it is supposed to be like you are watching "this week's episode" and not a movie. Granted, this may not be the best way to tell a story and there is about an hour and a half of scenes that were cut out that do go into the characters backstories more, but this is what the film is trying to be. I am not making excuses for it, but for Miami Vice fans like me who grew up with the show, this film is VERY "Vice-Like" in how it is shot and edited.
This brings me to my last point which I brought up before, but this film was marketed completely wrong to appeal to the wrong audience, I.E. teens just because Collin Farrell and Jamie Foxx are in it and because it is a cops and robbers movie.
This film is made for adults... Like I said in my first post... And specifically, adults like me (and older) who are familiar with the show. It is not made for 14-year olds who weren't even alive when the show was on. I'm sorry to be harsh, but this is also what hurt the film as well in my opinion.
Bottom Line: Give it a chance on DVD... Especially if it is the extended Director's Cut which I hear it is going to be. You don't have to love it, or even like it, but compared to the multitude of crap that has been coming out of Hollywood lately, Miami Vice is one of those films that has some redeeming qualities IF you know how to look for them and appreciate films that don't talk down to their audience.
shrrshrr - Thanks. I love the show and that scene was hilarious! :lol:
The more I've thought about the movie since watching it yesterday, the more I think Mann did a really great job. I really wasn't sure what to expect. I was really pleased with the end result. I loved that it wasn't just a bunch of action and chases and that it really delved into the whole lifestyle/job that they were doing.
Interesting to know that an hour or more of the movie was cut............I wish that it hadn't been mandated to be cut.
The more I've thought about the movie since watching it yesterday, the more I think Mann did a really great job. I really wasn't sure what to expect. I was really pleased with the end result. I loved that it wasn't just a bunch of action and chases and that it really delved into the whole lifestyle/job that they were doing.
Interesting to know that an hour or more of the movie was cut............I wish that it hadn't been mandated to be cut.
S
shrrshrr
Guest
That's good to know, and I LOVE your avatar!
Gosh - did we see the same film? I totally agree with UnsilentMajority in that I thought Collateral was much more of a character study (and exceptionally well-done) than an action film, as is Last of the Mohicans.
I'm still a fan of the director and will see this film, but I'm kind of disappointed in this perception of his work... You're entitled to your opinion, though, of course.
Gosh - did we see the same film? I totally agree with UnsilentMajority in that I thought Collateral was much more of a character study (and exceptionally well-done) than an action film, as is Last of the Mohicans.
I'm still a fan of the director and will see this film, but I'm kind of disappointed in this perception of his work... You're entitled to your opinion, though, of course.
A
Anabela
Guest
I saw this movie a few weeks ago and I remember feeling it was a huge waste of my time. Honestly, I have better things to do with my time than sit on a theater and watch beautiful images of absolutely no substance.
I love Michael Mann: Heat is one of my favourite action movies ever. I am also a huge fan of Christopher Doyle, the cinematographer. So, I was expecting a lot from Miami Vice.
In the end, I love Miami Vice's cinematography: it's raw and beautiful.
But what about the characters? The plot? They were missing from the movie. To me, Miami Vice was ruined by lack of character development and very poor plot.
I won't even argue about the action scenes because they were totally uninteresting to me. I couldn't care less for any of those characters or what was happening to them.
I believe that it must have had something to do with all the cutting. Because, honestly, it's hard to believe anyone would read that script and think it would become a good movie. I wouldn't invest a cent of my own money on that script.
As for awards, I wouldn't be surprised if Miami Vice was nominated for Best Cinematography. I found it beautiful.
I love Michael Mann: Heat is one of my favourite action movies ever. I am also a huge fan of Christopher Doyle, the cinematographer. So, I was expecting a lot from Miami Vice.
In the end, I love Miami Vice's cinematography: it's raw and beautiful.
But what about the characters? The plot? They were missing from the movie. To me, Miami Vice was ruined by lack of character development and very poor plot.
I won't even argue about the action scenes because they were totally uninteresting to me. I couldn't care less for any of those characters or what was happening to them.
I believe that it must have had something to do with all the cutting. Because, honestly, it's hard to believe anyone would read that script and think it would become a good movie. I wouldn't invest a cent of my own money on that script.
As for awards, I wouldn't be surprised if Miami Vice was nominated for Best Cinematography. I found it beautiful.
U
UnsilentMajorty
Guest
Michael Mann is NOT an action director, per se.
All of his movies, even Heat and Last of the Mohicans, are character studies where action and violence are a part of the story, but they aren't the bulk of the story.
I think this is the big misconception about what Miami Vice -- both the show and movie -- Is about. I think the problem is MV is now viewed as a cult-show from the '80s and nothing more, and a lot of people who didn't grow up with it really understand what it was about besides the fashion and rock music.
Also, there were a lot of problems with the final cut of the film as this was supposed to be another three and a half-hour epic like Heat, but the studio said, no way for a summer release title because the studio was targeting the teens -- Which is another idiodic decision in my book as Michael Mann has said time and time agian in various interviews MV was never intended for teens and is in no way a "Bad Boys" clone which a lot of young people are equating MV with because both it and BB are set in Miami
-- And as a result, Mann had to cut out literally an hour of the film and whenever directors have to cut that much of the story out it is bound to suffer in one way or another, no matter what the PR machine tells you.
Oh, well.
I will see it eventually as I never listen to critics anymore as they are often flat out wrong, Da Vinci Code, anyone?
What does worry me as a MM fan is that it looks like this film is going to bomb which means he isn't going to be able to do "Whom the Bell Tolls" as the studio has said if MV doesn't do well, they are going to pull MM from the picture and get a cheaper director... Which might not only make "Bell" suffer, but also be the first in a long series of moves to basically relegate MM and similar A-List, final cut directors to the European/foreign and direct-to-DVD markets like Jan De Bont. Remember Jan De Bont? Directed huge blockbusters like Speed and Twister... Yet then bomed with The Haunting and Tomb Raider 2? He's now back in Germany...
While I agree a lot of persons in Hollywood are over paid... The fact is a lot of movies are failing these days because studios are trying to market them to the completely wrong audience they are intended for,and then blaming the director when they do fail to save face and as I said, ultimately, it results in a Catch-22 of crappy hacks like Michael Bay and Bret Ratner getting all the work and producing a lot of the shallow, stereotypical projects mainstream Hollywood is known for.
All of his movies, even Heat and Last of the Mohicans, are character studies where action and violence are a part of the story, but they aren't the bulk of the story.
I think this is the big misconception about what Miami Vice -- both the show and movie -- Is about. I think the problem is MV is now viewed as a cult-show from the '80s and nothing more, and a lot of people who didn't grow up with it really understand what it was about besides the fashion and rock music.
Also, there were a lot of problems with the final cut of the film as this was supposed to be another three and a half-hour epic like Heat, but the studio said, no way for a summer release title because the studio was targeting the teens -- Which is another idiodic decision in my book as Michael Mann has said time and time agian in various interviews MV was never intended for teens and is in no way a "Bad Boys" clone which a lot of young people are equating MV with because both it and BB are set in Miami
-- And as a result, Mann had to cut out literally an hour of the film and whenever directors have to cut that much of the story out it is bound to suffer in one way or another, no matter what the PR machine tells you.Oh, well.
I will see it eventually as I never listen to critics anymore as they are often flat out wrong, Da Vinci Code, anyone?
What does worry me as a MM fan is that it looks like this film is going to bomb which means he isn't going to be able to do "Whom the Bell Tolls" as the studio has said if MV doesn't do well, they are going to pull MM from the picture and get a cheaper director... Which might not only make "Bell" suffer, but also be the first in a long series of moves to basically relegate MM and similar A-List, final cut directors to the European/foreign and direct-to-DVD markets like Jan De Bont. Remember Jan De Bont? Directed huge blockbusters like Speed and Twister... Yet then bomed with The Haunting and Tomb Raider 2? He's now back in Germany...
While I agree a lot of persons in Hollywood are over paid... The fact is a lot of movies are failing these days because studios are trying to market them to the completely wrong audience they are intended for,and then blaming the director when they do fail to save face and as I said, ultimately, it results in a Catch-22 of crappy hacks like Michael Bay and Bret Ratner getting all the work and producing a lot of the shallow, stereotypical projects mainstream Hollywood is known for.
N
Nayden-fan868
Guest
This was the worst movie I've seen in a long time.
It was weird. I felt like I was watching someone's very bad home movie. The camara work was very weird like Collateral...another movie with Jamie in it
It was weird. I felt like I was watching someone's very bad home movie. The camara work was very weird like Collateral...another movie with Jamie in it
J
Jacob1983
Guest
This movie should have had lots of action. Michael Mann directed H.E.A.T. and Collateral. Those are action movies. I honestly think that Tom Cruise killed more people and shot his guns more in Collateral than everyone combined in Miami Vice.
R
Ruby_Slippers
Guest
I saw this movie over the weekend and I have to say SAVE YOUR MONEY.
It was the worst film of the summer. Since when did plots go out of fashion?
I want to bump into Colin Farell or Jamie Foxx so I can ask for my 10.25 back!
It was the worst film of the summer. Since when did plots go out of fashion?
I want to bump into Colin Farell or Jamie Foxx so I can ask for my 10.25 back!
J
Jacob1983
Guest
Okay so Collateral isn't an action movie? Would it be classified as an action drama? Collateral got a couple Oscar nods. I will be very suprised if Miami Vice gets any nominations. I know Vice won't get nominated for anything major like when Jamie Foxx was nominated for Collateral.
I saw this tonight. I remember watching the show although I was really young so the details are fuzzy. But, from what you're saying shrrshrr this movie is in line with that. I guess some people were expecting tons of action and I think when you expect one thing and get something else you tend to be disappointed. I've seen that alot lately with the way certain movies have been advertised.......kind of the opposite from what the movies actually are. But, anyways the movie was dark and gritty. I didn't find it boring at all although it was a little long I thought.
S
shrrshrr
Guest
I want to see it - the ads make it look very much like the show. I'm not sure why everyone thinks the show had a lot of action sequences when it was really a hard-hitting drama with the ocassional acting thrown in.
I'm not kidding when I saw it was deadly dark and angst-ridden. This show was about cops fighting a losing battle in a corrupt and rotting, but superficially glittering city. Car chases weren't a prerequisite.
ETA - Freddie, I'm listening to the game right now. My boys had better get it together!
I'm not kidding when I saw it was deadly dark and angst-ridden. This show was about cops fighting a losing battle in a corrupt and rotting, but superficially glittering city. Car chases weren't a prerequisite.
ETA - Freddie, I'm listening to the game right now.
My boys had better get it together!