Post by kenny on Jul 1, 2009 16:46:13 GMT -5
There's something very important to realize when you watch Public Enemies-
When you see this in the theater, don't clap. Otherwise you will be tagged as a fascist and lynched. I clapped, but weirdly, despite the fact that Dillinger was "Deader than Dillinger" at the end of the film, no one was clapping.
Point being- this is a very serious, dark movie with occasional bits of comedy. Despite the inevitable comparisons to "Heat," I have something to say on that comparison-
Comparing "Heat" and "Public Enemies" is like comparing fresh spaghetti and reheated spaghetti. The dish is mostly the same, and will taste the same to many viewers, but the reheat (public enemies) cooks faster, and tastes different because of how it is cooked- the olives are hotter than if you had fresh spaghetti, since when you put olives in fresh spaghetti you aren't heating them up with the dish (unless you're a total moron.).
What this analogy is trying to explain is that "Public Enemies" is not a new age "Heat" for very simple reasons:
-The plot moves much faster and is less convoluted than Heat, though the information shop subplot is a bit obscure (and the setting for those segments reminded me of "Baccano!")
-The clear, occasionally slightly grainy high definition film stock makes the shootouts much more fluid than "Heat," since the action is moving at a much faster clip and there is a bit of shaky cam but tastefully and tactfully used. Also, there were parts where the film will cut to other film stock which appears to have been shot on period cameras, which underscores the authenticity that Michael Mann typically aspires to, and I enjoyed. However, this choice also entices me to recommend you to see this in the theaters, because you'll be squinting at a DVD wondering what the hell is going on unless you see it on the big screen.
-The acting was not quite up to "Heat," since Christian Bale still sounded like Christian Bale (but thank GOD he didn't try to make his voice speckled with Batman grit), but Depp really did fit his role as Dillenger, as compared to Heat where Al Pacino pulled off the awesome detective role and De Niro was the believable but ultimately too De Niro bad guy.
-"Heat" had mostly it's own score, but "PE" drew on plenty of licensed music, both period and one anachronistic piece of music that I really liked from the trailers and wasn't expecting to come up in the film but it did at the best times.
I suppose you could color this review biased since I had trouble following "Heat" when I watched it, and it required a re-viewing to grasp most of the plot, but "Public Enemies" is still much easier to follow and for that, a better "movie." I also went to the film intent on enjoying it, and expecting a Michael Mann film where the gunfights were bona-fide bulletfests, a tight, complex plot and believable characters, and I got exactly what I expected. Nothing more, and nothing less. Well directed and intense, the film is a taut thrill ride and you will see many major characters die and a surprising bit of interrogation which will make this stand out from many of the other 1930s films.
My score comparison:
Collateral (2004) 9/10
Public Enemies (2009) 8/10
Heat (1995) 7/10
Miami Vice (2006) N/A (And, out of respect to the director, I am choosing not to see this film. Every director is entitled to one bad movie.)
Friend's takes:
Ejones216- 7/10 ("Michael Mann proved he can make a good movie, if he wants to")
Bluesabre1- 5.5-6/10 (Hated the film stock used?)
When you see this in the theater, don't clap. Otherwise you will be tagged as a fascist and lynched. I clapped, but weirdly, despite the fact that Dillinger was "Deader than Dillinger" at the end of the film, no one was clapping.
Point being- this is a very serious, dark movie with occasional bits of comedy. Despite the inevitable comparisons to "Heat," I have something to say on that comparison-
Comparing "Heat" and "Public Enemies" is like comparing fresh spaghetti and reheated spaghetti. The dish is mostly the same, and will taste the same to many viewers, but the reheat (public enemies) cooks faster, and tastes different because of how it is cooked- the olives are hotter than if you had fresh spaghetti, since when you put olives in fresh spaghetti you aren't heating them up with the dish (unless you're a total moron.).
What this analogy is trying to explain is that "Public Enemies" is not a new age "Heat" for very simple reasons:
-The plot moves much faster and is less convoluted than Heat, though the information shop subplot is a bit obscure (and the setting for those segments reminded me of "Baccano!")
-The clear, occasionally slightly grainy high definition film stock makes the shootouts much more fluid than "Heat," since the action is moving at a much faster clip and there is a bit of shaky cam but tastefully and tactfully used. Also, there were parts where the film will cut to other film stock which appears to have been shot on period cameras, which underscores the authenticity that Michael Mann typically aspires to, and I enjoyed. However, this choice also entices me to recommend you to see this in the theaters, because you'll be squinting at a DVD wondering what the hell is going on unless you see it on the big screen.
-The acting was not quite up to "Heat," since Christian Bale still sounded like Christian Bale (but thank GOD he didn't try to make his voice speckled with Batman grit), but Depp really did fit his role as Dillenger, as compared to Heat where Al Pacino pulled off the awesome detective role and De Niro was the believable but ultimately too De Niro bad guy.
-"Heat" had mostly it's own score, but "PE" drew on plenty of licensed music, both period and one anachronistic piece of music that I really liked from the trailers and wasn't expecting to come up in the film but it did at the best times.
I suppose you could color this review biased since I had trouble following "Heat" when I watched it, and it required a re-viewing to grasp most of the plot, but "Public Enemies" is still much easier to follow and for that, a better "movie." I also went to the film intent on enjoying it, and expecting a Michael Mann film where the gunfights were bona-fide bulletfests, a tight, complex plot and believable characters, and I got exactly what I expected. Nothing more, and nothing less. Well directed and intense, the film is a taut thrill ride and you will see many major characters die and a surprising bit of interrogation which will make this stand out from many of the other 1930s films.
My score comparison:
Collateral (2004) 9/10
Public Enemies (2009) 8/10
Heat (1995) 7/10
Miami Vice (2006) N/A (And, out of respect to the director, I am choosing not to see this film. Every director is entitled to one bad movie.)
Friend's takes:
Ejones216- 7/10 ("Michael Mann proved he can make a good movie, if he wants to")
Bluesabre1- 5.5-6/10 (Hated the film stock used?)
