Heat

Audience Reviews

View More (1000+)

Kyle C Heat is one of those rare crime dramas that earns nearly every minute of its long runtime. From the opening heist to the final airport chase, it’s relentless, stylish, and deeply human. Michael Mann’s direction gives Los Angeles a gritty, lived-in texture, and the muted color grading makes everything feel hot, grimy, and tense. The shootouts are legendary for a reason, but what really makes Heat work is its emotional depth. It’s not just a cops-and-robbers story; it’s about how obsession, ambition, and violence erode love and family. Both sides of the law are trapped by the same drive that makes them great at what they do, and Mann never glamorizes it. Al Pacino and Robert De Niro are magnetic. Pacino, as the relentless detective Vincent Hanna, brings a mix of manic energy and surprising humor. De Niro, as the disciplined thief Neil McCauley, is his calm, methodical counterpart. When they finally meet face to face, the tension is thick, and the mutual respect feels real. The supporting cast adds depth and heart. Small moments, like a driver trying to go straight, a wife quietly realizing what she’s lost, or Natalie Portman’s tragic subplot, make the chaos feel grounded. Even the romantic relationships have genuine chemistry, unusual for a crime film. If there’s a flaw, it’s that the story occasionally meanders and leans a bit into melodrama, especially in the middle stretch. But those detours also give space for the quieter, more human moments that make the film so memorable. In the end, Heat stands by its message: survival in this world means being able to walk away. When the final shot lands, it feels both inevitable and devastating. A brutal, elegant, and haunting film that still holds up. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/05/25 Full Review Ben D One of the worst movies I’ve ever watched. Pacino’s overacting is laughable. The diner scene might be one of the dumbest in cinema history. The plot is so unrealistic and convoluted. How anybody liked this movie is beyond me. Do you like it because it is so cheesy and bad? Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 09/30/25 Full Review Lars N So many great moments in here. L.A. shootout, diner talk, Pacino's overacting. 'She's got a BIG ASS!!!' *chefs kiss* Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/23/25 Full Review Mr. S The dedication Al Pacino had to catching Robert De Niro is the whole point of this movie—he didn’t care even if it meant risking his family falling apart. The only part I didn’t like was the ending: Robert had everything set to escape to another country, but he chose to go to the hotel for revenge and ended up getting shot and killed. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/20/25 Full Review Alejandro E Seeing who is at the forefront of the cast is, in itself, an invitation wrapped in velvet paper. It is true that this crime thriller is like a dish that is cooked slowly, without the need for pyrotechnic action. And in the end, the nearly three-hour running time is well justified. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/13/25 Full Review Ralph R Heat is one of those classics that still holds up perfectly on a rewatch. Michael Mann’s style is all over it, with sharp direction, big set pieces, and that sleek vibe of LA crime life. The length does feel heavy at nearly three hours, but the tension and build-up mostly carry it through. The performances are top notch, especially Pacino and De Niro, who give the movie its weight. The supporting cast pulls their part too, making every scene feel tight and purposeful. Add in crisp editing, precise pacing in the heist sequences, and beautiful cinematography, and you get why this film is so highly regarded. It’s a slow burn at times, but when the action hits, it hits hard. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/11/25 Full Review Read all reviews

Heat

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Most Popular at Home Now