“Miami Vice” (Universal Pictures)
More Grit Less Glamour
Back in its day, “Miami Vice” was one hot television show. It had it all from cool clothes to cool leading men. Michael Mann created a show with plenty of action and a distinctive look to make it special. Now years later he has created a movie based on the same characters but this time the style is grittier with less glamour.
Sonny Crockett (Colin Farrell) and Rico Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) still work for the Miami PD Vice Squad, and they are still doing undercover work. One night they and their boss are approached by the local FBI Chief and asked to participate in an undercover activity. The reason they are needed is there is a spy in the FBI ranks. Their boss agrees to let them do the job and off they go.
They infiltrate the ranks of a Colombian drug czar and set up some deals. One of the persons they deal with is a woman named Isabella (Gong Li). She and Crockett have an instant attraction to each other and are soon involved in a steamy love affair. Meanwhile Tubs worries about his co-worker and lover Trudie (Naomie Harris) being safe.
The movie is a little slow at the start but soon Crockett and Tubbs are in deep and the dirty deals are going down. It all ends with a shoot-out in a boatyard. Bullets fly and Isabella is in the crossfire.
Farrell is at his best in this movie. He looks great and he and Gong Li have strong chemistry between them. Foxx has a less showy role and basically plays second fiddle to Farrell, which is a surprise given his recent Academy Award.
Michael Mann’s direction is as tight as ever, and he makes the camera zoom as he moves his story from the States to South America and back. The film has an authentic feel about it and the backdrops of Miami and other cities are quite
effective.
The movie is rated R for profanity and violence.
There is no way to compare “Miami Vice,” the TV series and “Miami Vice” the movie. The lead characters have the same names but the tone and feel of the shows are entirely different. The TV show was as bright as the pastel shirts Don Johnson wore, whereby the movie is as dark as Colin Farrell’s stubble.
“Miami Vice” is not up to Michael Mann’s usual caliber of movies, but it is still a fun ride through the gritty alleys of South America and the neon filled nights of Miami.
I scored “Miami Vice” a drug fueled 6 out of 10.
