Search - Heat [Widescreen] on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Profanity Movie Release: 1995 DVD Release: 07/27/1999 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 52 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Total Copies: 17 Genres: Action, Thriller, Crime Thriller, Police Detective Film See Also: Heat, Heat, Heat, Heat [Blu-ray]

A successful career criminal considers getting out of the business after one last score, while an obsessive cop desperately tries to put him behind bars in this intelligent thriller written and directed by Michael Mann. Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is a thief who specializes in big, risky jobs, such as banks and armored cars. He's very good at what he does; he's bright, methodical, and has honed his skills as a thief at the expense of his personal life, vowing never to get involved in a relationship from which he couldn't walk away in 30 seconds. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) is an L.A.P.D. detective determined to catch McCauley, but while McCauley's personal code has forced him to do without a wife and children, Hanna's dedication has made a wreck of the home he's tried to have; he's been divorced twice, he's all but a stranger to his third wife, and he has no idea how to reach out to his troubled step-daughter. While McCauley has enough money to retire and is planning to move to New Zealand, he loves the thrill of robbery as much as the profit, and is blocking out plans for one more job; meanwhile, he's met a woman, Eady (Amy Brenneman), whom he's not so sure he can walk away from. The supporting cast includes Val Kilmer as Chris, one of McCauley's partners; Ashley Judd as his wife Charlene; Jon Voight as Nate; Hank Azaria as Alan Marciano; and Henry Rollins as Hugh, who is beaten up by Hanna. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Al Pacino - Vincent Hanna
Robert De Niro - Neil McCauley
Val Kilmer - Chris Shiherlis
Jon Voight - Nate
Tom Sizemore - Michael Cheritto
Diane Venora - Justine

Michael Mann's Heat is one of those special crime movies. Outside of the stylish visuals and powerfully violent gun battles, there's an emotional substance that transcends the genre. The DVD shines, bristles, and consistently impresses. Heat is filled with beautiful photography and excellent audio flourishes. Mann and cinematographer Dante Spinotti infused the film with high-contrast scenes in broad daylight, moments where the screen is awash in blues or whites, and pitch-black night scenes. Over the movie's three hours, there is ample room for the DVD to show any flaws in the transfer, but there are none to be found. Sound-wise, both film and DVD are a tour de force. Explosions, gunshots, and dialogue (Al Pacino in full, caffeinated glory) flow passionately from one's audio system. The musical soundtrack, with songs by Lisa Gerrard, Michael Brook, Einsturzende Neubauten, and other artists known for their mood-setting sounds, is stunning here, though the volume must be turned relatively high to appreciate the more ambient moments. There are really no special features to be found, outside of three separate but quite similar theatrical trailers. Sadly, the great TV spots for the film are not included. "Jump to a Scene" is the scene access menu system, where viewers can easily choose from all 52 chapters and the theatrical trailers. Lack of supplemental material aside, Heat is an impressive DVD. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Movie Guide