DVD Review: Miami Vice (Unrated Director's Cut)

By Patrick Luce Dec 4, 2006, 1:20 GMT

Miami Vice arrives on DVD with both a theatrical version and an unrated director’s cut

While Miami Vice may fail to capture some of the television show’s fashion and music aspects, it does manage to follow the series’ slick look, deep plots, and cool characters.

Although the movie does have problems, director Michael Mann take on the television show could almost be seen as a continuation of some of the themes and styles he created in films like Heat and Collateral.

The movie failed to really capture an audience at the big screen (it cost an estimated $135 million to make and only took in about $63 million domestically), but is worth taking the time to watch. The film was written by Mann and produced by Anthony Yerkovich – who created the television series. It stars Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Li Gong, Ciarán Hinds, Luis Tosar, Naomie Harris, Barry Shabaka Henley and John Ortiz. The film also features the visual style of Dion Beebe - who worked as director of photography on Mann's Collateral. 

Although Mann’s script adapts the popular television series that helped him make a name for himself in Hollywood, the movie has little to do with the original Miami Vice. The only real resemblance to the series is the main two characters - Det. James 'Sonny' Crockett (Farrell) and Det. Ricardo 'Rico' Tubbs (Foxx). This change is not necessarily a bad thing, but may leave some fans of the series a little disappointed in the big screen version.

The new Crockett and Tubbs

The film’s plot (which is a little murky at the beginning and hard to follow) finds Crockett and Tubbs as they are sent deep undercover to try and take down international drug lord Arcángel de Jesús Montoya (Tosar). To accomplish the goal, the two set themselves up as traffickers with a specialty in fast planes and speed boats. While dealing with Montoya, the boys also have to handle his henchman José Yero – who is suspicious of Crockett and a touch psychotic.

As they get deeper undercover, Crockett starts to fall for Montoya’s business partner and lover Isabella (Gong). At first, he is using her to get more information on Montoya’s operation, but it quickly becomes obvious that the affair is more than just cover. Things get worse for Crockett when Yero discovers the couple’s secret affair (which isn’t that hard since they are making out in his club) and informs his employer. Mann then shifts the film’s pace into full throttle as Crockett and Tubbs have to break out the artillery for a couple of intense gunfights that make the movie worth watching.

Although I enjoyed Miami Vice, the movie does have some major problems that might detract some viewers. The film’s plot is extremely hard to follow at first – mostly thanks to Foxx and Farrell mumbling lines that are filled with technical terms and street slang. While this might establish their characters as tough veteran cops, it makes it very hard for the common folk to figure out just what is happening on screen.

Once the film’s plot gets moving, viewers have to suffer through a less than interesting love story between Gong and Farrell – who have absolutely zero chemistry with each other. This plot device might have looked good on paper, but comes across as cliché and cheesy on film. The movie’s ending (which seems very weak the first time you watch it) may also leave more than a few viewers upset, and wanting more.

The film’s visual style helps make up for some of the plot’s faults

The villains present another problem for the movie, and seem to be straight from the cookie cutter bad guy mold. It would have been nice to see Mann create villains that can give the “good guys” a run for their money in terms of interest – similar to what he did in Heat and to some degree Tom Cruise’s character in Collateral. Instead, we get the stereotypical drug dealer that could have been lifted straight from Scarface or any other drug movie.

The DVD comes in both an R rated version (which is the theatrical cut) and an Unrated Director’s Cut. There is about seven minutes worth of footage that makes the difference between the two cuts, but I am not sure where the footage is in the film (I haven’t seen the R rated version). It is my understanding some of the footage is from a boat race. The DVD also comes with several special features that take you inside the making of the movie, and commentary from Mann.

Miami Vice Undercover shows how Foxx and Farrell prepared for their roles through various training programs with federal agents and undercover police. Miami and Beyond: Shooting on Location follows Mann and company as they scouted for shooting locations for the film – including areas in Miami, Key West, Paraguay, and Brazil.

The Unrated DVD also features Visualizing Miami Vice which shows how Mann and Beebe captured the films look and examines the movie’s production design and cinematography. The Unrated version also has behind the scenes featurettes that have another look at the making of the movie including the actors’ firearms training, and how they shot the boat race.

The Gong and Farrell love story is cliché and cheesy

Even with its faults, Miami Vice is a good movie and worth taking the time to watch if you enjoy a crime thriller. In my humble opinion, Mann is an expert at this genre, and the movie’s visual style helps hold you interest despite its faults. For that reason, I would recommend taking a chance on Miami Vice. 

Miami Vice (Unrated Director’s Cut) is now available at Amazon and AmazonUK. Visit the DVD database for more information.