FWIW, Mann sued the producers of this movie, claiming it was a complete ripoff of Miami Vice.
If you are thinking of a specific Michael Mann movie, then maybe Thief?
Isn’t it odd? I’m glad I’m not the only one. awldune mentioned Thief, but I know that’s not it for me. The first Michael Mann film I saw was Heat. I’ve seen every movie he’s done since then, but none of the ones he did before then (I know, one of these days…)
Heat got Mann a lot of attention and I remember reading that he had been very involved with the TV show Miami Vice (which I also have never seen, other than snippets). Also always mentioned in all the Heat reviews was that he directed Manhunter, The Keep, Thief and The Last of the Mohicans. I know I really need to see these films. So it’s still not clear why I equated Mann with TLADILA. Maybe someone mistakenly said that he directed it at one time and the “fact” wormed its way into my brain. In any case, here is Mann’s filmography:
Upcoming:
Frankie Machine (2010) (in production) (De Niro in another Mafia movie)
The Few (2008) (announced) (about a WWII fighter ace)
Public Enemies (2009) (post-production) (about John Dillinger, with Depp and Bale)
Released:
Miami Vice (2006)
Collateral (2004)
Ali (2001)
The Insider (1999)
Heat (1995)
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
L.A. Takedown (1989) (TV)
“Crime Story” (1986) TV series (1 episode, 1987)
Manhunter (1986)
The Keep (1983)
Thief (1981)
The Jericho Mile (1979) (TV)
“Police Woman” (1974) TV series (1 episode, 1977)
17 Days Down the Line (1972)
Jaunpuri (1971)
Insurrection (1968)
This movie was on Showtime last night and since I’d never seen it, and after reading this thread a week or so ago… I just had to DVR it to watch during my time off this afternoon.
GREAT movie. I wasn’t sure what to expect but for a 23 year old action flick, it really holds up. The acting was pretty good I thought, good direction (the camera and sound work during part of the chase scene through the partner’s POV was really well done), great Wang Chung soundtrack… a few surprises in the plot that I wasn’t expecting…
I was SHOCKED when Chance got shot in the head at the end. Not expecting that at ALL. Also, the Chinese diamond guy that they got killed being FBI was an interesting twist.
The chase scene, as others have said, was spectacular. Definitely up there w/ the best. Just a real solid movie all around. I’m glad I read this thread before, otherwise I’d likely never have seen it.
I’ve just finished reading the novel the movie was based on. This is one case where the movie blows the book away. You’re not missing anything by skipping the read. In any case, it’s almost completely different from the film.
I agree that it was dated. I count this as the ultimate 80’s movie. In between the hairstyles, the flashy cars, the sleazy lawyer, the weird avant-garde dance numbers, the phony-tough cop dialogue, and the Wang Chung soundtrack, there wasn’t very much that didn’t scream EIGHTIES!! Still, the film was just so friggin’ good that I couldn’t care less. Right off the top of my head, I can’t think of anything that I didn’t like about this movie, except for the title song. Kind of cheesy, but that’s the only thing.
And yes, this was the best car chase ever! Waayyy better than Bullitt and The French Connection. I thought it was actually more realistic than most car chases I’d seen in movies. It’s not continuous; the car slows or stops several times before speeding up again. Also, the characters aren’t steely-eyed professionals behind the wheel. Vukovich freaks out in the back seat, and Chance can barely keep it together himself. I love how he flashes back to his base jump in the middle of speeding through the canal, or whatever it was. None of this was in the book, btw.
One of my favorite movies of all time, and my absolute favorite 80’s flick.