Miami Vice

With Hollywood regularly using the sequels, remakes and anything else that comes with an existing IP, nostalgia is also a powerful tool in today's cinematic market but in 2006, it was largely absent when Michael Mann released Miami Vice in cinemas. No call-backs to the original with cameos, scenes or bits of the score from the 1980s TV series. Instead this was a straight-laced update with a new cast but it failed to make much of an impact at the time. However, time has been kind and it seems this has had a bit of a resurgence among viewers who are discovering it today. 

The story follows detectives Crockett (Colin Farrell) and Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) as they sent undercover to infiltrate a powerful drugs operation around South America and the Caribbean in some very shady areas with some very shady characters. Can the two avoid the grim fate of their predecessors who were shot to pieces and bring the kingpin to justice? 

It's not a terribly original premise and one that had already been copied and spoofed many times over but Mann brings a gritty, documentary style to the film that makes the whole experience feel so real and engaging. Much of this is in thanks to cinematographer Dion Beebe and it's this combination of style with the hard-edged substance of the film that makes something so simple so fascinating. At one point, Mann delivers a blast of exposition but does so with the cast riding speed boats through a harbour at night time and it really is just, well, cool. It's a slick film and is backed by a great score/mix of licenced music to encapsulate this moody experience.

Farrell and Foxx do a fine job though in the leading roles, granted their limited chemistry isn't exactly what sells the film but they play their parts as well as possible. The supporting cast are also very good with plenty of names including Naomi Harris, Gong Li, Ciarán Hinds, John Ortiz, Barry Shabaka Henley, John Hawkes and a surprisingly fun yet brief turn from Eddie Marsan as a wealthy southern informant.

Mann also keeps the film tightly paced at just over two hours, even if the first act as we meet all the characters is a little messy. This isn't aided by the director's passion for authenticity which results in a script throwing around a lot of jargon and stuff that seems important but will fly over the heads of the audience. There were also a number of problems during production that led to much of the third act being rewritten but there aren't any significant signs on the surface of any patch work.

Miami Vice has its flaws here and there but the overall film is a great experience in a genre that has now been relegated away from the big screen. It's a shame this didn't find much success during its theatrical release as I would have enjoyed following where Mann would take the story next but I'm glad he still had a chance to revisit his TV series and offer an exciting entry in his fascinating filmography.