" Time is luck "

Miami Vice

Based on the hit TV show of the same name, Miami Vice focuses on FBI detectives Sonny Crockett (Colin Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) as they go undercover to investigate a local narcotics operation. The operation has been linked to numerous deaths and there are fears that a Government agency is leaking them critical information. As a result Crockett and Tubbs are sent in off the books and authorised to use whatever means necessary to find out who is leaking the information. The case tests Crockett's and Tubbs loyalty for one another as controversial tactics are used and personal relationships are endangered.

Michael Mann is a highly regarded director who has directed some truly great movies including Heat and Collateral but this is definitely not one of his crowning achievements. The movie is simply hard to watch. One of the first things I noticed about the film was the excess use of close ups. Sure close ups can be a very effective tool to direct the viewers attention and establish importance in a scene but for the majority of the time in this film the shots are very blurry and ultimately ineffective. For a director who is known for his excellent cinematography it was a real surprise. I think one of the problems with Mann as director is that he was an executive producer for the TV series. The movie needed a director who wasn't involved in the show, that way a fresh approach could be taken without any confusion arising from their previous involvement with the show.

Mann's involvement with the show could be a possible reason for the pathetic attempts at character development as he leaves too much to be presumed from the audience. In fact there is basically no character development at all. The romantic relationships involving actresses Noamie Harris and Li Gong are lazy developed and they serve only as sidebars to the detectives. The partnership between Crockett and Tubbs was given little thought at all and as a result the pair have no chemistry. The performances of Fox and Farrell are certainly not supported by the lines they are given or the situations they are put in, yet they both deliver uncharacteristically poor performances. The duo strut around with the same dull expression and tone of voice attempting to outdo the other in an impersonation of a tough, street wise detective. However neither of them pull it off, appearing uncomfortable rather than confident and cool.

The opening scene was very engaging as the team are pulling an operation in a crowded club, and the main characters are introduced successfully. Yet Mann never returns to the characters lives to provide a back story. The film has that expensive look to it as fast cars and boats litter the screen, yet they really add nothing to the film except provide a good addition to the trailer. The film reminded me a lot of Bad Boys (which is a terrible movie) but at least in that film the crime fighting duo had some chemistry and the occasional bit of humour. One area where Miami Vice is exceedingly superior to Bad Boys is the approach taken to the action scenes. Mann is very restrained when it comes to an explosion or climatic scene (unlike Bay) a trait that is common in his filmmaking. However the film only scratches the surface of his ability as a filmmaker.

This is a film that seemed like a good idea at the time and was probably given lots of money to be developed, but unfortunately the money was wasted. The characters are uninteresting and the plot is underdeveloped, combined with riveting dialogue such as "can't do the time, don't mess with the crime" this film is one you should ignore.