A Michael Mann Production

I count four starring roles in Miami Vice (2006). In order of appearance: Farell, Foxx, Miami and Michael Mann, who stayed expertly behind the lens. Just as there were four in Collateral (2004): Cruise, Foxx, Los Angeles. and Mann. As it was in Heat (1995): Pacino, DeNiro, Los Angeles and Mann. Far from coincidental.

More importantly, amid the lowly reviews and confused movie-going audience, I found a certain, pleasing familiarity to again sit to Michael Mann. Same one I find re-running Heat or episodes of Miami Vice or Crime Story.

The sweeping views of the blue ocean from high and wide glass windows. The blue light draping the characters. In general, the over-all use of colors to convey the atmosphere.

The soundtrack that shape the scenes, excusing actors from doing what they're paid to do and simply look ahead to the yet-unseen waypoint, or look helplessly downward, while letting the music define the mood.
- Best exemplified by Phil Collins and "In The Air Tonight" as Tubb's girlfriend struggles mootly from a booby-trapped car that she eventually triggers to a sickening explosion, while arch-enemy Calderone slips away (again).

The best-of-the-best of the good cops, the protagonists, the cast, and even the subcontractors who command the top of most everything they do. Consider a quote from the CEO of Adam Aircraft:
- "The Adam Aircraft A500 is the ideal airplane for 'Miami Vice." The A500 signature twinboom profile reaches the level of high style and high performance necessary to meet the standards of a Michael Mann production..."

The loud guns. (Hey, they're supposed to sound that way)

The seemingly climactic set-ups detached from the end of the film (replaced instead by the obligatory resolution thru an un-impressive shoot-out). Cases in point:
- Heat: Shoot-out in rush-hour L.A., tucked right in the middle of the storyline.
- Collateral: Club confrontation, to Paul Oakenford' "Ready, Steady, Go", again far from the ending.
- Miami Vice '06: I vote for the trailer park hostage rescue, where emotions were at its peak (on and off the screen), yet removed from the loud shoot-out ending.

Though admittedly, the movie seemed like a TV episode, as in, made-for-TV, rather than summer blockbuster... and while, perhaps, quite a lot of people we're looking for "Bad Boys 3" (and strangely enough, I enjoyed reading the critics' reviews and the blogosphere's takes as to what to make of it) , I was very happy with this...........
a Michael Mann production.

See also Manhunter, Thief, The Last of the Mohicans, Ali, The Insider, L.A. Takedown.