Review of Miami Vice (2006) by Jonathan B — 23 Nov 2010

Miami Vice is not the terrible movie that some have made it out to be, it's just an incredibly forgettable one, which in a way is worse.

I usually try to avoid disclaimers but I feel it necessary to say that I am in no way familiar with the original TV show that this movie is based upon. As such I don't have any preconceptions about the characters or the story. However even I could see that either Colin Farrell or Jamie Foxx, or maybe even both, were completely miscast in the lead roles. Together these two fine actors make the most underwhelming on screen duo in years. The natural chemistry is nonexistent, and the script doesn't help by giving both men separate stories which put the joint central storyline on the back burner for the majority of the film. Additionally Farrell's plotline receives a much more thorough treatment, unfairly leaving Foxx's character underdeveloped and more of a supporting player.

Rather than focusing on Foxx and Farrell together, the story concentrates on Farrell's interactions with love interest Gong Li. Famous for dramatic roles in the likes of Raise the Red Lantern and Curse of the Golden Flower, Li has repeatedly proven her worth as a powerful actress. Sadly she's just not suited to this type of role. Her thick Chinese accent is a definite distraction, not that any of the characters actually have anything interesting to say. On the other hand I would much rather watch Gong Li for two hours over the usual female faces we're accustomed to seeing in this type of role (Biel, Alba, Mendes etc.).

Credit to director Michael Mann for largely avoiding the traps that many similar remakes have fallen into. Where the recent A-Team flick inadvertently sent up its source material, Miami Vice remains a serious film which is noticeably less formulaic than its counterparts. Unfortunately Mann takes the serious tone too far, so far in fact, that the movie lacks a crucial element of fun. This is possibly the film's biggest drawback as it leaves the movie feeling very hollow and devoid of any human heart. Resultantly it ticks along entirely on one note, with no light and shade, no humour, and just one unending emotion.

Thus Miami Vice is best described as underwhelming. It lacks action and fails to draw the best from its talented cast. Even the aesthetics fail to rescue it from a dull fate that even diehard fans will struggle to overcome.