1. How does one "remake" an entire TV show that had over 100 episodes into a 2.5 hour movie? Granted, the film is essentially a remake of an episode of the show, "Smuggler's Blues", but you make it sound like the movie is a remake of an entire series, which would be impossible.
2. Michael Mann didn't helm the television series. It wasnt his creation, nor did he direct anything more than a single episode. He was a producer on the show, but it was not his baby.
3. Crank and Smoking Aces were both steaming piles of shit. Running Scared was fun though.
And finally, about the movie:
4. The film has a ton of flaws, but I still find more to like than to hate. Mann should have just called it something other than Miami Vice and people would have reacted better to it.
Flaws: aside from the two lead characters, it doesnt feel remotely like its source; a lack of character development/setting up relationships (this flaw is somewhat fixed in the DC), leaving you not caring about the characters; oddball structure, the film just starts and just ends; too long; dialogue is often muffled and hard to hear; some superfluous scenes (its weird, after seeing the DC, as Mann left in scenes that should have been cut, and cut scenes that needed to be in there); Foxx, who looks really bored and phoned this in.
Pros: the production values (great sound, excellent visuals, great locations); I really liked Farrell in this; the classic Mann trademark of matching great music to great visuals; I really loved how we the audience were only fed the same information in fragments as Tubbs and Crockett got (I felt it worked well in setting up the confusion/chaos in the undercover world); in general, Mann once again succeeded with me in exploring his usual theme that he dives into each film he makes, that of men trying to balance their professional and personal lives.
Anyways, if youre gonna watch it, get the superior DC.
