Hawk’s Babble-Log

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Colin Farrell, Gong Li, Naomie Harris, Ciaràn Hinds, and John Ortiz.

Written and directed by Michael Mann.

This movie _soundly kicks ass_.

Things that I liked about Miami Vice:

- The realistic way events occur and unfold. When something unexpected happens, the people involved investigate and figure out what’s going on. This happens in a regular progression of communication, assemble new data, conclusion, more communication, etc. I’ve noticed this with other Mann movies as well, especially Heat.

- Nominclature. Actually, this is both good and bad, and somewhat annoying, as I don’t know all the terms and slang used in the movie. I only picked up maybe 60% or 70% of what they were saying.

- The realistic violence. I don’t like real violence, but I do like an accurate representation of it, and this movie really delivers. If you’ve got a weak stomach, don’t see it.

- The realistic way the guys (and gals) assault a fixed position. They don’t mess around, they don’t whine to eachother about their problems, and they don’t hesitate. They know their jobs, what to do, what to expect from eachother, they’re in communication just enough to get the job done, and they know eachother without even having to speek. What’s this? The bad guy is still moving around? Bam! A .45 round to the back of the head fixes that. Done.

By the way, I just have to take a moment here and comment on this gal, Elizabeth Rodriguez (who plays Gina). This chick with the assault rifle next to Jaime Foxx is awsome. She told the guy what would happen if he didn’t drop the shit. She gave him fair warning. He started to tell her to go to hell or fuck off or something, so she did exactly what she told him she would do. That’s my kind of girl. No hesitation, no whining, no doubt-filled looks to her partner (soap). I’d have this girl on my team anytime. Or I’d be on her team anytime.

- Competence. These people know their jobs, they know what they’re doing, and they do it. For example, the tough old bird who plays the Captain: He’s competent, knowledgeable, knows what he’s doing, knows what the enemy is going to do, and plans accordingly. When it’s time for action, he’s there and he gets the job done. Same with all of ‘em. They’re friggin’ competent. None of this, “Ohh, what am I doing here? Ohh, I’m in so deep, what ever shall I do? Ohh, can I handle it? Ohh, what if I can’t? Ohh, people are depending on me, what if I crack under pressure?” I have a phrase for that: _Hollywood soap bullshit_. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen and make room for one of these people in Miami Vice.

- Respect. I mentioned the tough ol’ Captain. If he says, “Calm down,” they calm down. If he says, “We do this my way,” then they do it his way. None of this Hollywood soap bullshit of “Cover me, I’m goin’ in!” and then the hero dives directly into the line of fire, shooting sideways as he flies through the air. No, I don’t think so. It’s going to be pretty tough to suspend that disbelief. Don’t get me wrong, I can enjoy a good John Woo movie, but that’s because I know it’s all fantasy from the start.

Things that I didn’t like about Miami Vice:

- Nominclature. I know I mented this in the “things I liked” section, but it’s a two-way street. On the one hand, I like that they’re talkin’ their own language. On the other, it would really be nice if I knew what they were saying.

- The bad guy didn’t get tortured enough at the end. I felt that he really needed to experience pain in all it’s painful glory. For weeks.

- Crockett & Tubbs get to ride around in zillion-dollar Ferrari’s and I don’t.

- Crockett & Tubbs get to play with fully automatic assault rifles (with cool factors of 10) and I don’t.

All in all, the movie kicks some serious ass, and I’d see it again in a heartbeat. I’m definately going to buy it when it comes out on DVD.