Film Review: "Miami Vice" (2006)

Taut and tense, this film based on the 1980s cop show "Miami Vice" is writer/director Michael Mann's follow-up to the excellent "Collateral". "Vice" carries many similarities to Mann's other work like "The Insider" and "Heat", with grainy, unstable camera shots, dark lighting, and deadly serious dialogue. It's all business with Mann and this is no exception. A couple of holes in the story line disappoint, and annoyances include incessant cell phone ringing and the occasional bit of mumbling by the lead characters, but on the whole, the creative (but not gratuitous) use of violence and Colin Ferrell's breakout performance here will ensure that this is the beginning of what is likely to be a very successful franchise. The soundtrack, especially the Audioslave material, is very good too. For my money, no MI:3, but still above average.

Overall rating: 7.75/10