Miami Vice

Rating R Formats DVD Genre action Starring Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Li Gong, Luis Tosar, Naomie Harris Directed by Michael Mann Publisher Universal Studios External Links Official Miami Vice Website

Miami Vice is a show that is considered by many as a period piece; a police drama that served as a representation for pop culture trends such as music, fashion and film. With the pastel-colored suits, extensive soundtrack of popular music and Philip Michael Thomas's "soul glo" hair, the show is deemed outdated by today's general viewing audience. On the other hand, fans of the show were able to go deeper. Beyond all of the aforementioned traits lied a dark element, a dramatic overtone that showed the violent world of drug trafficking and what it had in store for those trying to bring it down. Director Michael Mann, who also served as producer of the show, has brought us a modernized update of the show.

Keep in mind that the film does not serve as a prequel or spin-off, it is basically a standalone piece that doesn't exactly follow the events and happenings of the show (sorry kids, but there is no Elvis the Alligator) as our two favorite Miami undercover agents Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) and Sonny Crockett (Colin Farell) are enlisted by the FBI to bring down the trafficking network of Arcangel de Jesus Montoya-Londono. The intensity of the case comes to full brink as Crockett is entangled in a love affair with the drug lord's Cuban-Chinese banker (Gong Li) and Tubbs is faced with threat of harm to his loved ones.

Again, if you are looking for all of the factors that deemed "Miami Vice" as cheesy, look elsewhere. This film is as dark and as gritty as "Miami Vice" can get. To add some breadth and identity, Mann dishes out his latest favorite toy, the Thomson VIPER Filmstream camera, which he used in his previous film, Collateral. The camera filters out certain lights and color, giving the Miami skyline a slick but very grim atmosphere. While the movie is not a dead-on replicate of the show, there are some subtle references that fans would be able to notice. The most notable is the use of Nonpoint's cover of "In The Air Tonight" which was used in the pilot episode of the series. While it does not completely look like an episode of "Miami Vice", the feel and dramatic tension is certainly there.

Foxx and Farrell give worthy performances that Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas should be proud of. They make Crockett and Tubbs their own while, at the same time, maintaining the qualities and characteristics that were originally laid down in the series. While it is a far cry from Edward James Olmos, Barry Shabaka Henley's performance as Lt. Castillo stands on its own as well. Gong Li and Naomie Harris deliver solid supporting roles that keep things moving. Well, sort of...

The only flaw I found in this picture was the pacing. The opening act is tight and flows well. However, things take a major halt in the middle. The film goes from exciting and intriguing to flat out boring. Thankfully things pick back up in the final act, but after having to sit through what I call a load of filler time, it will be tough to regain focus.

The features included are basic but they do the job. The commentary from Michael Mann is insightful and informative (I use those words way too much!) as he gives great detail into how every aspect of the movie is created. A handful of behind the scenes features rounds up on locations, shooting certain scenes and the training and preparations that the actors had to endure.

Miami Vice is "Miami Vice" minus the flair. It is a dark and hard police thriller that gives the show a well-deserved revamp. The unfortunate pacing flaws give the film a good hurt but overall, Michael Mann has made another fine picture.