Review of Miami Vice (2006) by Kenneth D — 30 Sep 2010

Though I never had the enjoyment of growing up during the 80's, I still manage to find some time to watch some of those old classic TV shows. The truth is that the 80's, to me, seem like they more fun then what everyone says. But that's just me, and since I've only been around for the last 15 years, I'm exactly a viable source of information about those crazy times. But what I can say is that Miami Vice entertains me just like it would have if I were to see those original runs weekly. While my generation's TV is over-run with cop "dramas", which get dumber and dumber, Miami Vice is still a refreshing piece of entertainment. Plus my parents were always talking about it so it kind of resonated in my head. So when I heard they were making a live movie adaptation, I knew just what Miami Vice was and just how culturally significant it was. The movie, lets just say, isn't spectacular but it sure does offer a new twist on that old series which, as old as it may seem, still manages to entertain and be just as relevant.

Sonny Crockett (Collin Farrel) and Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) are two undercover cops who work and dwell in the underbelly of Miami. They go deep into the illegal business of drug making/dealing and abandon their true identities. The duo go undercover into a drug making cartel who, after one of their "customers", neo-nazi drug dealers, kill an informant and old fried of theirs. They quickly take on the case, since they watched him get hit by a semi truck, and attempt to bring down the high leveled drug dealing cartel and put an end to the crime spree. For those Miami Vice fans out there, yes the rumors are true; there are some plot elements throughout of the episode "Smuggler's Blues". But fans who haven't seen the film should be advised that all of the old pastels and sockless loafers are gone. So are the white, rolled up blazers.

Michael Mann's meticulously researched crime film is definitely entertaining. He took the risk, and I personally thought that is was a job well done. The realism throughout is undeniably, well, real. There are no cop drama clich&#233s nor are there ridiculous actiony shoot-outs, well no there are shoot-outs they just make more sense than others. Mann definitely knew his stuff while making the film. Everything from illegal transportation of drugs, down to the different tactics used by undercover cops. In fact, not that I'm saying you should, if you wanted to be a smuggler, Miami Vice is the "How To for Dummies" movie you need to see. While it has plenty of info and it I's are dotted it doesn't drown itself in information like a History Channel special. It takes all of this realism and information and incorporates into a large, though sometimes convoluted, story which manages to entertain the hell out of you.

Though Farrel and Foxx weren't my first choice to play Crockett and Tubbs, they do manage to bring their own style and creativity to the role. Rather than trying to mimic the original roles created by Don Johnson and Michael Phillip Thomas, they make the characters theirs' and theirs' only. While there have been plenty of complaints about how dizzying the camera work may be, or how weird the story is; I think it's pretty safe that no one expected this film to be perfect. There are various flaws throughout such as Crockettt's whole relationship between himself and the drug kingpin's finance wiz Isabella (played by Gong Li). This was never a part of the original show. Sure Crockett might have been a hit with the ladies but I never remember him getting down and dirty with them in the back of a limo, or in the shower, or in bedroom. But maybe I just need to re-visit the series again. The story can also become way to confusing. If you're not paying attention. The neo-nazis eventually begin to lose their importance and sort of fade off until they just pop out of nowhere and kidnap one of the other agents. As flawed as the story maybe, there's enough logic and entertainment value to make you want to watch the film again.

If you've seen the original theatrical version, then you need to see the Unrated Extended Cut. There is a slew of deleted scenes, including a whole new introduction. It will definitely make you want to see it again and again. And while the story may not be 100% reminiscent of the original 80s classic, also created by Michael Mann, there's enough entertainment value, and shoot-outs, to make that risk worthwhile.