The Heat Is On

Daniel Allen reports on the new upcoming sequel to the 1995 classic heist movie Heat and whether it’s a good time to revisit the original.

Following its release over 30 years ago, the high-stakes heist drama Heat, directed by legendary filmmaker Michael Mann, is getting a much-anticipated sequel, not surprisingly titled Heat 2. Based on Mann’s own script - adapted from his 2022 best-selling novel, Heat 2 – the new film will function as both prequel and sequel to Heat as it follows the early lives and later fates of characters like Vincent Hanna, Neil McCauley and Chris Shiherlis. Mann has got another all-star cast lined up for this film to shoot in early 2027, including: Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Adam Driver and Australians Jason Clarke and Odessa Young. Sounds like a good time to rewatch the original and get ready for the newest chapter.

What is it about?

Heat is a high-stakes action film that follows the traditional cops vs robbers plot and follows both sides as the robbers try to get the next big score while the cops try to bring them to justice. Robert De Niro plays calculated career criminal Neil McCauley, who is set on a final score with one last big job before he calls it quits. Al Pacino plays Lt. Vincent Hanna, a robbery and homicide detective who is highly motivated to bring McCauley down but prone to dramatic outbursts. Val Kilmer (Top Gun, Batman Forever, The Doors)  plays career criminal Chris Shiherlis, the cool and collected bank thief juggling family life with a dangerous lifestyle and other eye-popping cast include; Danny Trejo, (The Simpsons’ voice actor) Hank Azaria, punk-rock front man Henry Rollins, Tom Sizemore, Amy Brenneman and even a young Natalie Portman.

Was it a hit?

At the time of its 1995 release, Heat was universally praised for its nuanced take on a police procedural and its stunning cinematography, incredible sound design and show-stopping action set pieces. But the real attraction that resulted in its $187 million of worldwide box-office receipts was a chance to watch two of the greatest actors of all time on screen together. Pacino (The Godfather, Scarface, Dog Day Afternoon) and De Niro (The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas) rarely occupy the same acting and this was only the second time after The Godfather Part II (1974) they had worked together at that time. Their other shared credits since then are: Righteous Kill (2008) and The Irishman (2019).

Al Pacino and Robert De Niro co-star in Heat (photo: 1995 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment)

Awards Snub

Surprisingly, even the star power of De Niro and Pacino that helped drive the box-office did not lead to a single Oscar nomination that year. Battling with a blockbuster lineup - including Braveheart, Apollo 13, Babe and DeNiro's other film, Casino - Heat didn't impress the Academy enough at that time, but is now widely considered to be one of the biggest Oscar snubs of all time.

Does it still work?

Unlike many of the Oscar favourites that year, this movie stands the test of time. It’s also inspired a generation of filmmakers who admired Mann’s iconic shoot-out sequences in downtown L.A. and the use of raw sound design, smashing audiences in the face with real gun sounds. Profoundly ahead of its time, the film has aged like fine wine and is perfect for a rewatch, or a first-time viewing.

Do I need to see it?

If you enjoy crime dramas with well written characters, realistic action and Al Pacino screaming his head off, YES, this movie is for you.

Rating: 9/10