From boxofficemojo.com, "Miami Vice" took the #1 spot this past weekend pulling in $25,195,000 pushing "Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" total of $20,492,000 to #2. Not bad for a movie that has a mid to late summer release date that was also plagued by so many production problems we've been hearing about all year. At one point I wondered would this movie really be finished this year.
I was invited to an advance screening of Miami Vice in DC last Thursday. Packed viewing. Every seat was filled.
OK, where can I begin? I liked it. Are you surprised? Yes, I think you all know by now I can be quite the analytical one and the critical one too on movies, especially re-makes, but this movie, this time out, I think they delivered or at least tried to do well so I give them credit.
Was it the best I thought it could have been overall?
No, but I thought it was able to do something that I was a little worried whether they could do or not and that was hold it's own apart from the TV series of the 80's since they decided to go that direction.
Michael Mann directed it which I think was a good move. Michael Mann was the Executive Producer of the original series from 1984 to 1989. The original show actually had many directors, producers and writers but Michael Mann was definitely one of the main Executive Producers.
As you have probably heard by now, it is much darker and grittier than the 80's TV Series even though in 1984 when Miami Vice premiered, it was considered to be groundbreaking television in it's content and really it was. I still say, it was one of the main shows that defined the 80's in clothes, fashion, cars, music, fast boats, overall style, it's impact on pop culture and more.
I will not give too much away in this review just in case you decide to check it out for yourself but two words came to mind; Deep Undercover. One of those situations that Miami Vice the TV Series explored too. Situations where undercover police go so far deep undercover for so long, it can be hard to tell what side is up or which way is the way out if you don't pay close attention to the storyline. But once again, that was always one of the things that made Miami Vice, Miami Vice.
So, how 'bout those fast, slick cars?
Back in 1984, Sonny Crockett drove a Midnight Black 1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder 365 GTS/4. I think it was by the second or third season Sonny switched to a White 1986 Ferrari Testarossa. Tubbs drove a 1964 Cadillac Coupe DeVille Convertible.
This time around in 2006, what are Sonny and Tubbs driving? A spanking, brand new Dark Silver Ferrari 430 with Dark seats.
Also gone are the colorful, pastels and floral expensive designer shirts, suits and jackets with the rolled up sleeves. This time around? Still expensive, designer shirts and suits, just darker colors. Dior Homme suits, Hugo Boss shirts, Cartier watches and Prada Sunglasses instead of Ray Bans.
What about those bad azz speed boats?
Back in the 80's, Sonny Crockett lived on a 42' Endeavor Sailboat called, "St. Vitus Dance." He and Tubbs also drove a 34' Chris Craft Singer and a 38' Wellcraft Scarab KV which had two 8.2 Mercury engines with 840 HP.
In 2006, Sonny and Tubbs drive a "go-fast boat." A 34' Marine Technology, Inc. Super Cat named "Mojo."
Yes, as I stated before in a earlier post on Miami Vice, and as you can tell, I was into the show! LOL! Actually, the DVD Miami Vice Boxsets Seasons 1 & 2 has helped me get those details for you and me too! ;) Details I always wanted to know about the show.
Watching this movie was entertaining for me because there were certain things they just got right.
I still would have liked to seen the original cast just because. I have a storyline in mind of how they could have had at least some of the original crew in this movie that could have worked and worked well without coming off as campy or something else. Everyone is still alive and kickin'.. LOL! Hey, they aren't that old! Maybe we will see Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas in an upcoming sequel in some way.
Overall I enjoyed it. It works on the level as a straight action movie and also for some of us original Miami Vice Fans. I am sure there will be some Miami Vice fans who will find bookoo problems with this movie but I think I see what they laid down here and also the possible potential of what they can do next time around if they do so.
I did miss the music of Jan Hammer too who scored the original show: janhammer. And of course, how can you do Miami Vice without the music of PhilCollins?! Come on! At least give us one cut! At least, "Into the Air Tonight"! Actually, I was thinking almost thru-out the movie, "OK, where will they place, "Into the Air Tonight? Are they going to do it at all?" LOL!
If you are truly missing some original Miami Vice music by Jan Hammer check out the CD, "The Best of Miami Vice" on AAO Music, Inc. here: aaomusic.
Spoiler Alert: They actually did place Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight" at the way end of the movie but it was covered by someone else. I would have placed that song in a key scene during the movie and it would have had to have been the original! If you gonna do that thing, man, Do That Thing! LOL!
Speaking of Miami Vice related music, check out this Jay-Z and Linkin Park song called 'Encore/Numb' that was included into the Miami Vice promotion machine for the trailers of the movie. They also used this song in radio and tv comercials for the movie:
Back to the movie itself, I think one of the reasons Universal didn't go with almost anything original from the show was for many reasons which they would probably call "business reasons." But once again, I would have liked to see a version with either the original cast or the original cast intermixed with the new folks that could have all worked out well.
The DVD with all the Bonus Features and Production Notes should be worth a looksee when it comes out.
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