‘Miami Vice’ was one of the most popular TV series in the world in the mid-1980s. “Heat” and “Insider” genius Michael Mann was involved with the show as a producer and part screenwriter. It was only natural that the Chicago native directed the stellar cast’s revival for the big screen, which was released in theaters in 2006.
Cable 1 shows “MiamiVice“today, November 13, 2023 at 8:15 PM. A repeat takes place at 1:25 am the same night. Alternatively, you can currently stream the FSK 16 title for free on Joyn. However, the “Director’s Cut”, which according to the manufacturer is seven minutes longer, is currently only available on Blu-ray for a fee.
Instead of series stars Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas, Colin Farrell (“See Bruges… and Die?”) and Jamie Foxx (“Django Unchained”) took the lead roles. In addition to the duo, other important roles can be seen: Li Gong (“The Geisha”), Luis Tosar (“Sleep Tight”), John Ortiz (“Narc”), Ciarán Hinds (“Belfast”), Isaach De Bankolé ( “Ghost Dog”), John Hawkes (“Winter’s Bone”), Justin Theroux (“The Leftovers”), Domenick Lombardozzi (“The Wire”), Barry Shabaka Henley (“A Star Is Born”), Elizabeth Rodriguez (“Logan “)) and Naomie Harris (“Skyfall”).
“Miami Vice” on Cable 1: That’s the story
Detectives Sonny Crockett (Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Foxx) are the Miami Police Department’s most efficient undercover drug officers. After a major FBI operation goes wrong and not only three agents, but also their informant and his family are brutally murdered, the duo’s special talents are needed to finally bring the unscrupulous criminals to justice.
To do this, Crockett and Tubbs must infiltrate the cartel of Colombian drug lord Arcángel de Jesús Montoya (Tosar). The goal is to figure out who the leak in the federal agency’s safety net might be. To penetrate the inner circle of Montoya’s organization, they offer him their services as couriers of his goods.
A first test transport goes perfectly and the police plan seems to work. However, Montoya’s security chief Yero (Ortiz) distrusts the two Americans from the first minute. And a developing love affair between Crockett and Montoya’s wife Isabella (Gong) doesn’t bode well either…
Better than the cult series?!
According to Mann, the film should definitely be its own thing. So, contrary to the studio’s original wishes, he ensured the story was set in the present, there were no cameos from the original stars, and Jan Hammer’s iconic theme music from the series was not heard in the original version or as a modern version. , staged revision.
The look was also very different, much darker. For this, the director worked together with parts of the crew from his previous film ‘Collateral’. The work of lead cameraman Dion Beebe is particularly striking. “Miami Vice” looks extremely stylish and cool. At least that’s what it has in common with the series – albeit in a markedly different way.
Precisely because Mann did not simply provide a repeat of the original, the film still impresses today with its still relevant story. The pace presented is breakneck without us as the audience ever losing track. In addition, the new characters – especially the villain, played extremely charismatically by Tosar, and the brilliant Gong as an inscrutable temptation – are great. Furthermore, Farrell and Foxx remain essentially faithful to the popular main characters, but add many exciting new shades.
Of course, even decades later, it’s still fun to revisit an episode of the old series – especially those featuring well-known musicians like Phil Collins, Miles Davis, Meat Loaf or (undefeated!) Ted Nugent. In terms of storytelling and visual implementation, the film is light years ahead. Too bad there was never a sequel.
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