Things You See In Every Michael Mann Movie

What makes a Michael Mann movie?

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

This Friday, one of Hollywood's coolest living auteurs will drop the eleventh opus in his filmography. Michael Mann, the genius behind some of the greatest crime films of all time, is back—albeit inexplicably in January, the most swagless movie release month on the calendar. The release date is apropos though, because we've seen Blackhat, the Super Hacker vs Mega Hacker tech-thriller starring Thor, and well, it's far from Mike's best.

But despite the downward trend created by this and the lukewarm Public Enemies, how much can a legacy that boasts Heat, Collateral, Thief, Last of the Mohicans, and even the very-much-in-need-of-your-reconsideration Miami Vice, really be tarnished? Like any great filmmaker, Mann's world is recognizable through a series of go-to story tropes and filmmaking techniques that enriches each viewing experience with familiarity. Blackhat has all of the moving parts, but the formula doesn't add up to a satisfying result this time. Here are all the disparate elements that compose some of Mann's finest work.

1. Loners

Not Available Interstitial

2. Women who offer the possibility of change for said men.

Not Available Interstitial

3. Cool guys in light-gray suits.

Not Available Interstitial

4. Men with strict codes of behavior.

Not Available Interstitial

5. Law enforcement officials who have a lot in common with their marks.

Not Available Interstitial

6. Nighttime drives.

Not Available Interstitial

7. Extra-crispy digital cinematography.

Not Available Interstitial

8. Awesomely loud gunplay.

Not Available Interstitial

Most notably in: Heat, Collateral, Miami Vice, Public Enemies, Blackhat

No such thing as a pea shooter in Mann flicks. The violence is never exploitative, but when the guns get drawn, the phrase "heavy metal" always comes to mind. When Mann's behind the camera, streetsweepers and assault rifles ring off like power drills. The shootouts themselves are realistic and endless—save the calculated precision of Collateral's professional hitter Vincent. There's no fancy choreography, as you'd see in a John Woo movie. Just cannons ringing off until one side wins. Like so:

9.

Or...


And who can forget Collateral's instant-classic club free-for-all:

10.

11. Bonus: Boats, etc.

Not Available Interstitial

Latest in Pop Culture