Michael Mann’s decision to rework his 80s television hit series ‘Miami Vice’ with a new look and attitude will have surprised some, but he may well have hit the jackpot with the most effective of this US Summer’s blockbusters. (Not that Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Mission: Impossible III or The Da Vinci Code have given it much competition).
That what follows the excellent first act is sometimes laboured and occasionally misses the mark is a tremendous disappointment. Mann attempts to introduce tension into the partnership between Foxx and Farrell, a partnership that seems instinctive and unbreakable, but sadly the attempt fails. It is hard to believe that Farrell’s ‘Sonny’ would ever mess up his relationship with Foxx’s ‘Rico’, and some clumsy scripting and corny ‘buddy-cop’ moments reduce the potential for a nailbiting will-he won’t-he dramatic arc.
None of the blame can be borne by either Foxx or Farrell, however, with both turning in excellent performances. Farrell in particular is absolutely magnetic on screen, and upon reflection his scenes are far more readily recalled than those of his partner, suggesting he is much more the focus. This is not to say that Foxx doesn’t play Rico well – he certainly needed a meaty role after the abhorrent Stealth and the average Jarhead – and he provides a strong and steady foil for the actions of the more excitable Sonny.
There are perhaps one or two too many steps taken to get to the final outcome, leaving Vice with an overlong running time of 134 minutes that occasionally drag. A tighter approach to editing in the slowish mid-film may have kept the audience on a knife’s edge.
All faults aside, Miami Vice is certainly entertaining, and when it finally does come, the big finale is excellent – full of the shooting and death that had been hinted at throughout. This final action sequence is masterfully shot, and is absolutely gripping. It’s a shame the performances and the strong opening and closing scenes are let down by the disappointing mid-section.