Miami Vice...the horror.

If you thought The Matrix was puzzling in the beginning, go see Miami Vice. If you thought Anakin's dialogue was hollow in TPM, go see Miami Vice. If you think spontaneous sex makes a good basis for a love story, go see Miami Vice. If you just love cliches, go see Miami Vice. If you thought The Bourne Supremacy was filmed badly, go see Miami Vice. This movie will blow you away.

Here's how the movie starts: No opening credits...seemingly in the middle of the movie. There's actually a sign outside my theatre saying "Miami Vice does not have opening credits. The movie may seem to be starting in the middle, it is not. The movie is at the beginning." There as absolutely no explanation as to who characters are and where they come from...no way to identify with them. There is no character development at all during the grievous 2 hours and 12 minutes. Some parts of the movie use good quality film, such as the rooftop seen from the trailer. Most of the movie is filmed in the style of "C.O.P.S." however, and is terribly difficult to keep in focus as the camera is constantly moving up and down. Furthermore, if you blink during the film, you'll quite possibly miss a scene change which could be up to 24 hours in this setting. The filmmakers provide no transitions between any scenes, be it dynamic music, or dialogued explanation, making this Huge Summer Blockbuster more like a chopped up student film.

As an open-minded movie goer, I beg of you, wait to see this movie...listen to people you trust before you throw away your money. It really is a black mark on Hollywood, and a big letdown for Michael Mann.

Really?  Wow.  I had completely the opposite reaction to it.  I f'in loved every second of it.  It's an incredibly stylized movie -- more so than other Mann flicks -- and I guess it's not for everyone.   People don't talk in a "real" way at all and they don't stop for exposition, but those things weren't flaws for me -- they were part of what made it great.  I think Mann was really trying to challenge the audience -- you had to really pay attention and try to figure things out, and thusly maybe felt some of the confusion the lead characters felt.  But I don't think it was too complex -- nothing like Syriana which I still can't make heads or tails of -- and I was never confused for more than a beat or two.  As for no opening credits and throwing you right into the story -- I thought that kicked ass.  We got to know the characters throught the plotting and action of the movie, rather than having to suffer through a typical Hollywood "Meet the characters!" act one. 

But I'm probably in the minority here...I've been on the flip side of public opinion on most movies this summer for some reason.  HATED Superman, loved Lady in the Water.  Was really disappointed in Pirates.  Loved Monster House -- although one of the things I loved about it was the one thing Anthony criticized -- I was relieved there weren't these big, didactic, character arcs like in most family/kids films.  It was just old school Amblin fun, like Gremlins.

I don't collect 12" at all...never bought a 12" figure in my life...and I bought the Jabba and throne and critters. 

Anyone else not collect 12" but get sucking into this piece?

So -- anything happen at the Q&A?

If anyone is interested in getting into this line who hasn't already -- I have an almost-complete set of the entire line up in the classified.  Almost every bust-up, varient and exclusive up until the Cantina wave.  I'll give a great price if someone wants the whole set...

Is anyone going to SDCC who DOESN'T want the Shocktrooper Mini-Bust?  I'm going to be away next week so I'm not going to be able to pre-order it, and I may not even be able to make the convention at all.  If someone is planning on going but doesn't want the bust, PLEASE let me know -- I'd love it if you could pre-order one for me and pick it up for me and I'll buy it from you.  I'll definitely reimburse you for the time spent, etc. -- I'm sure we could work something out.  Let me know if anyone wants to lend a helping hand!

Thanks!

Does anyone know Alexandertrooper?  He is supposed to buy a bunch of stuff from me but I'm having a very hard time getting in touch with him.  Does anyone know him personally and can remind him to contact me?  He responds to e-mails and PMs very sporadically and I really need to know if he still wants this stuff or if I should sell it to someone else...it's been about 2 months since he agreed to buy the stuff and I really can't wait any longer...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks a lot!

My username hasn't been "Cinemaddiction" since the first week of January 2006. But, if it makes it look like you know what you're talking about me easier to identify, I can always change it back.

EDIT: Had to make an edit because I forgot to put a space between the strike code and the word "me". End of discussion.

Yowza.

I shared the run time information the same day I learned about it. I don't remember if it was here, but certainly on DVDTalk and KMC, and cleared up the misconceptions there.

Now that I've done it here, let's give it a rest. 1 minute difference, end of discussion.

Wow.