Heat (1995)

John Chard March 24, 2015

★ 10/10

You don't live with me, you live among the remains of dead people. Heat is written and directed by Michael Mann. It stars Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Diane Venora, Ashley Judd, Amy Brennerman and Danny Trejo. Music is scored by Elliot Goldenthal and cinematography by Dante Spinoti. Big time thief Neil McCauley (DeNiro) is after one last major score before he retires, but hot on his tail is Vincent Hannah (Pacino), a cop equally and methodically as driven as he is himself. In the build up to Heat's release, much was made of it being the first on screen pairing of DeNiro and Pacino. A mouthwatering prospect for sure, it proved to be worth the wait and unfolds as a lesson in restrained acting with two modern greats affording each other the respect that was due. What we didn't realise in the build up to the film's release, was that it would prove …

Gimly June 4, 2017

★ 8/10

Partly I'm disappointed in myself for taking so long to watch _Heat_ because it's such a massive influence on one of the best movies ever (_The Dark Knight_), and one my favourite video games ever (_Payday: The Heist_). Mostly though, I'm disappointed in myself for taking so long to watch _Heat_ because I've denied myself for so long the privilege of having seen such a great fucking crime movie. _Final rating:★★★★ - An all round good movie with a little something extra._

The Movie Mob September 26, 2022

★ 6/10

**Heat earns its way onto top 25 lists for heist films and 90s action, but its faults keep it low in the rankings.** Heat gets so many things right. The stellar cast continues to surprise me with all the different names and faces I recognize when I watch it. The action is exceptional, especially considering this film is over 25 years old. The shoot-out in the middle of the movie is riveting, raw, and powerfully hard-hitting. The story made it impossible to guess exactly how it would turn out - was the cop going to get his man, or was the mastermind thief going to get away? Heat belongs on best heist and action movie lists but not nearly as high as many lists rank it. Heat carries some annoying faults. The ending of the film is abrupt and unsatisfying. The runtime is at least 45 minutes too long. The biggest frustration was Al Pacino’s performance. He was so over the top that his cha…

tensharpe February 3, 2023

★ 9/10

“Heat” directed by Michael Mann is a crime epic based on the exploits of real life criminal Neil McCauley.  Although mostly fictional, with the events and character having real life basis, Mann is able to elevate this crime drama above other films in a similar genre.  Robert De Niro plays Neil McCauley, a knowledgable experienced criminal who’s skill set includes playing cat and mouse with the police. After a robbery ends in a street gunfight McCauley and his gang manage to evade the police. Lieutenant Vincent Hanna ( Al Pacino ) determined to catch the criminals, skilfully assesses the crime scene and immediately “ Heat” begins to draw parallels between the two lead characters.  Filmed entirely on location “Heat” is a gripping, tension filled viewing experience that has the viewer uncertain who to route for throughout the entire proceedings.

Filipe Manuel Neto June 18, 2023

★ 8/10

**A good film, with great actors at the highest level, a little different from other action films and that deserves to be revisited these days.** If there's one thing that can be a good pastime, it's an action movie, with ingenious and fearless thieves and police willing to do anything to arrest them. That's what this movie is, basically, and although we've seen many movies with this recipe, neither does it become tiresome, nor do the movies become boring or less interesting. Michael Mann is today a director with solid action credits, thanks in part to this film, but also to “The Insider” and “Collateral”. Before this film, he had shown extraordinary competence in directing “Last of the Mohicans”, a film that I consider an example for harmonizing creative freedom, absolute historical rigor and a great respect for the source material. In this film, Mann does not disappoi…

CinemaSerf March 19, 2025

We know pretty much from the start who is who, here. “McCauley” (Robert De Niro) is a fastidious criminal who uses his gang of regulars to stage intricate robberies with relative impunity. His counter is police lieutenant “Vincent” (Al Pacino) who is trying to track them down - but from a bit of a standing start. These guys never leave any clues! Then, one tiny slip-up during an armoured car robbery gives the tenacious detective a glimmer of hope that might just lead the cops to one of his number. Meantime, on the personal front “Vincent” is having trouble engaging with his wife “Justine” (Diane Venore) who is sick of his constant absences and late shift work, whilst the determinedly bachelor that is “McAuley” befriends a girl in a diner and “Charlene” (Ashley Judd) soon gets under his skin, giving him a new reason to reassess what he wants from life. It’s all g…

JackthePGL August 19, 2025

★ 10/10

Heat is known to be one of Michael Mann's masterpiece and in doing a re-review just like I was thinking of some of my older ones I'm going to be redoing just to make them long which is so special to me and all of you guys. Starring a huge amount of cast such as Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer and many more, this is going to be one hell of a ride. Neil McCauley played by Robert De Niro, is a professional thief and he and his crew, Chris Shiherlis, Michael Cheritto, Gilbert Trejo, Waingro who is newly hired, are both set out to rob a million dollars in bearer bonds from an armored car. During the heist, Waingro kills a guard without provocation, forcing the crew to eliminate the other two guards. McCauley prepares to kill Waingro in retaliation for the deaths of the guards, but he escapes. Vincent Hanna played by Al Pacino, and his team investigate the robbery. He has a wife, Justine…

daniel_carr February 23, 2026

★ 6/10

I'm more of a sci-fi fantasy guy, but the story was good a bit predictable and the movie was very long. They had great actors, good action sequences and kept the viewers attention the whole way through. So enjoyable but not epic. The characters emotional development was done well.