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I really wanted to like Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell -- I tried hard. After seeing respectable performances in Ali (Foxx) and The Recruit (Farrell), I began thinking something like "yeah, these guys could maybe take my interest in future movies." Unfortunately for me, the next two films I saw them star in were Jarhead and S.W.A.T. (to say that I was mildly pissed off with those two films would be a huge understatement).

After sampling Michael Mann's work for the first time with the sheer brilliance that was 1995's Heat, I expected great things from Miami Vice. After a decent opening scene in a nightclub aided by the Numb/Encore Linkin Park/Jay-Z mix, I thought the groundwork for a great film had been set. Almost immediately after that song ended, though, the plot had lost me entirely; I just couldn't believe just how tedious and frustrating the rest of the movie was to watch. Nevertheless, being the nice guy that I am, I decided I would give the movie another try this one lonely evening; however, I didn't get much further beyond the last point that I got to, in all honesty. The whole film is just dull... so dull.

Now, I've never seen the series, which the movie is supposedly based upon, but if Tubbs and Crockett are anything like their TV counterparts then its hard to believe that any of the viewers were kept awake all those years. Neither character says much, and when they do its either a scowl or shout; any other time I wouldn't be so bothered, but they don't exactly scowl or shout particularly well. I think back to Rocky II when Mick asked Rocky to demonstrate how to "snarl and punch" -- that's how it should be done. Watch and learn, you moisturising screen kids.

Action wise, there's none, apart from the shoot out finale (which, if you're anything like me, you'll have missed the first time from falling asleep way before you even knew it took place). There's plenty of conversation, but if you're expecting it to be anything like the standard set by Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Heat then you're going to be extremely disappointed.

My best advice would be just to avoid altogether.

(C) Andy Carrington, 2008.