Posted on 04/18/2005 5:22:54 AM PDT by PJ-Comix
March 10, 2005 - Stax here with a review of the screenplay for Miami Vice! Writer-director Michael Mann penned Universal's big-screen version of the 1980s TV series (created by Anthony Yerkovich), which Mann executive produced. This 104-page first draft is dated 9/22/04. Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx will star as detectives Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs, respectively (played on the original series by Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas). Filming on Miami Vice begins filming late spring for a July 28, 2006 release.
Two things before I begin. First, please be advised that there are some MINOR SPOILERS in this review. I'm trying to be on my best behavior here. Second, I'd like to give a shout-out to Latino Review for their cool write-up on the script a few weeks back. Now on with the show ...
This Miami Vice is not set in the 1980s. It is a contemporary cop movie set in Miami, which Mann describes as having become Casablanca. A place where anything goes if the price is right. This is not an "origin" story. There is no background on how or why detectives James "Sonny" Crockett (Farrell) or Ricardo Tubbs (Foxx, in a role that should be largely dramatic) became partners. Mann's script is more of a police procedural focusing on the dangerous lives of two veteran undercover narcotics officers in the Miami-Dade Police Department (never once does anyone say "Miami Vice" since, as any fan can tell you, there is no such squad).
After there has been a tragic security breach in (or worse, a mole operating inside) the Joint Interagency Task Force, the Feds ask for help from the Miami vice cops since they weren't part of that compromised group. This job goes to Crockett and Tubbs, the latter of whom has a personal stake in seeing these killers brought to justice. Their mission is to use their cover as offshore boat racers/outlaw smugglers to penetrate the narcotrafficking network of the mysterious Archangel de Jesus Montoya-Londono. A wild band of Aryan Brothers and Nazi Low-Riders are also mixed up in all this but the trail leads to Montoya's doorstep.
Crockett and Tubbs' mission is especially dangerous. It will require them to travel outside the territorial United States to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti (with a stop in Cuba along the way). Their badges mean nothing abroad. They're not authorized to carry guns (like that's going to stop them). And, if they're busted, then re-patriation could take awhile (that's assuming they live). In other words, they are on their own, although squad mates Switek (described as 6'4" of "white bling") and rake-thin adrenaline junkie Zito act as back-up.
As smugglers Sonny Burnett and his partner Rico (he never uses the surname Cooper), Crockett and Tubbs eventually navigate their way into running some loads for Montoya via his main man Jose "Cochi Loco" Yero. They also meet Montoya's banker (and lover) Isabella, an Angolan-Cuban beauty with a European education and street smarts. Crockett is smitten but thinks he can play her to gain information. Things are never that simple, even in the movies.
Like other Michael Mann protagonists, Crockett and Tubbs are professionals who have dedicated themselves to a certain way of life and a certain credo that requires strict discipline. But there would be no tension or drama if these weren't put to the test. Crockett and Tubbs are both aware that things aren't supposed to get emotional. You lose your cool detachment, your professional distance, then you could lose your life or someone else's. This story is really all about how this code is put to the test, about how these two undercover cops risk their lives (and their badges) for the women they love.
Miami Vice is not a buddy flick/shoot 'em-up. Mann's script is a character drama. That's not to say there isn't gunplay in it – there are several very cool gunfights as only Michael Mann could conceive – but the narrative and characters come first. This big-screen Vice is more akin to The French Connection and Donnie Brasco than to Lethal Weapon and Bad Boys.
As a longtime fan of the TV series, I noticed a few elements that had been changed or are missing in this version. First, Gina never hooked up with Tubbs (as best I can recall) in the series; she and Sonny had a "special" working relationship. Obviously, Sonny is no longer a Vietnam vet and there is no mention of his ex-wife or son, or of him having been a college football star. (I always did think it was odd how this guy who had been a celebrity of sorts could pass himself off as "Sonny Burnett" without anyone noticing.)
Sonny no longer lives on a sailboat in the marina with his pet alligator Elvis. There is no Ferrari. Tubbs doesn't drive a convertible Caddy but he does possess piloting skills, which Philip Michael Thomas' character didn't have. (I have to assume then that Tubbs has been in the military; there's no mention of him being ex-NYPD.) Now that's not to say these things don't exist – maybe "Sonny Burnett" does live in the marina – we simply never see it. The characters themselves, however, remain largely the same as they were on the show. Even Zito is included (he was killed off mid-way through the series).
With its short page count and lightning pace, Miami Vice read like the ultimate two-hour season premiere. Mann hits the ground running, making sure we never see Crockett and Tubbs out of their element (outside of Miami, yes, but they're always around either cops or criminals). Mann embraces the smallest details, informing the reader of the types of weaponry and devices the characters use. He even explains the scenery and makes it interesting!
Some of my favorite Vice episodes were the ones where Crockett and Tubbs had to venture outside of Miami, such as in "Calderone's Return" and "Prodigal Son," so it was nice to see the same plot device used here.
The cops don't seem to have much of a life outside of work. That's the point, I suspect. Like Vincent Hanna in Heat, all they are is what they're going after. In the perilous, tightrope existence of deep undercover work, you probably don't get to develop much of a life or relationships with anyone outside of cops and criminals. That appears to be the case with these particular members of the Miami-Dade PD. You don't get to know too much about any of their pasts, and what you do learn could just be a lie concocted as part of their cover.
The most interesting new character is Crockett's love interest Isabella. Mann is well known for creating elaborate backstories for his characters, even if the audience will never learn any of it. In Isabella's case, however, her backstory explains how she ended up working for Montoya and why she is so important to him and his operation. Her live for today/"life is dust" attitude makes her edgy and intriguing. You can understand why Crockett becomes captivated by her (naturally, it helps that she's hot). Is she a femme fatale or a bad girl with a heart of gold? Mann doesn't make it that easy to label Isabella.
The bad guys – Montoya, the Aryan Brothers, and to a lesser degree Jose – aren't especially well developed. They are simply the bad guys. That is their function and they serve that capacity well enough. Isabella is the criminal who gets the most screen time and character development.
Michael Mann's new Miami Vice would be a fine piece of thinking man's entertainment even if there had never been a TV series it was based on. It's such a relief – after suffering through so many poor TV-to-film adaptations and with several more on the way – to see a popular show adapted to the big-screen with care, intelligence and talent. Yes, it can be done. Mann's movie will make Miami Vice cool again (although for me it always was).
Hell, I'd see a Miami Vice movie even if it starred Owen Wilson and Eddie Murphy ... oh, wait. The fact that it is instead being made by one of the best American filmmakers working today means, at the very least, that it will be a worthwhile viewing experience. I can't wait. – STAX
A few days ago, I heard casting call on the radio for "Miami Vice" extras. They especially needed men and women who spoke Russian so I am assuming that there is a Russina Mafia element to the movie which would make sense since most of the strip clubs down here are run by the Russian Mafia.
I just hope they don't ruin the movie like that IDIOT Don Johnson ruined the TV show. That jerk Johnson, demanded that filming be moved to L.A. after a couple of seasons since he couldn't bear to be away from his partying buddies in La-La Land. That was the Jump the Shark moment for "Miami Vice." After that the show lost it's South Florida look. Coconut palms stuck in L.A. locations with buildings painted pastel in the background just doesn't cut it.
Oh, I sure would like to see a cameo appearance by G. Gordon Liddy in the movie version. He starred in a couple of the TV episodes as a bad guy. The G-Man was also in the last "Miami Vice" episode and was the only bad guy in the series never brought to justice. He did a pretty good acting job too!
Well here's another "Can't wait to see it" comment". Mrs. Reo and I watched Michael Mann's "The Last of the Mohicans" on DVD last night. His initial training was as a painter, and no one does the visuals better. From the clubs in Miami to the forests in the Adirondacks, each scene looks like a set-up for an oil masterpiece.
Having grown up in/around the Adirondacks, I wondered why I did not recognize any of the locations in "The Last of The Mohicans". According to the credits, it was filmed in North Carolina.
For one thing, this seems VERY derivative. From Dirty Harry to Speed to who knows how many other movies the "this-is-an-inside-job" schtick is pretty old.
Second, there aren't even enough white guys left in Miami to form a Nazi Skinhead group, unless a bunch of elderly Jewish men decided to put aside some pretty fundamental differences in order to make money and raise heck. Trust me, it's all run by MS13 and other narcotraficantes these days.
Third, the idea that the Feds would involve local law enforcement is laughable on its face.
Colin Farrel just doesn't pas the credibility test as an actor.
I don't like it.
No pics of Jamie Foxx yet...
Just give me the music. If the background music is as great as the series, this is going to be fun!
When will hollywierd actually produce an original movie again?
Just as long as he doesn't try to sing "Heartbeat" like that other guy that played Sonny Crockett.
Shoot, they should've used The Rock. I'm disappointed!
I don't think there are offshore boat racers anymore, as there were in Don Aronow's day, Miami to Nassau, etc. These days they just race inside the reef so they won't have to slow down if there are heavy seas offshore.
The movie is going to really suck if they don't have Noogie in it.
I hope they keep the "Miami Vice" theme tune in the movie. Also wondering if they will be introducing new types of clothes wear. If so, it might set off a whole new fashion trend. I believe the "Miami Vice" TV show spelled the end (fortunately) of the 70s style of disco clothes.
B-O-O-O-O-O-R-I-N-G!!!
If they wanted realism they should have made the Crockett character an Hispanic guy. Somehow a white non-Hispanic trying to work undercover in Miam as a drug dealer would stick out like a sore thumb.
It's also the plot of about 1/3 of all Miami Vice episodes so that makes it true to the show.
My favorite character was Olmo's LT, he was so creepy, if they don't have him I probably won't be interested in the movie. Mann does the Miami Vice look in almost all his movies (and it's ripped off from Scarface anyway) so I can get that without an MV movie.
You are correct. I saw just such a race a couple of years ago just offshore from Deerfield Beach. Oh, and that race answered a question I had on my mind. What happened to all the Blueblood WASPs that used to be prominent years ago? They used to belong to exclusive clubs but nowadays their progeny are boat racers. All the racers were obviously wealthy and came from that background.
I hope they have that Cuban guy, Angel in the movie. He used to crack me up. My favorite scene was when Angel was stealing a fancy cement truck but couldn't get it started. Finally, out of frustration he bit into the wiring and the truck started right up.
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