Heat MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -3

When Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro), a professional criminal, and his gang rob an armored car, three guards are killed but few clues are left. Homicide detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) connects Michael (Tom Sizemore) to the crime, but Hanna wants the boss. An informant alerts Hanna to the gang's planned bank robbery, but McCauley and his sidekick Chris (Val Kilmer) escape. Before McCauley leaves, he wants revenge on the informant, but Hanna is waiting for that. Hanna may be a good cop, but his married life is a disaster. To win sympathy for Hanna, HEAT includes a subplot about the detective's personal life. Working on his third marriage, Hanna is more dedicated to police work than his family. His present wife, Justine (Diane Venora), has a daughter from a previous marriage who is distresssed because her father never comes when he says he will. But that phase of the film doesn't make it any more appealing. This three hour cops and robbers film may have good actors, but only faithful fans will think it's worthwhile.

Emotionally insecure, Hanna's stepdaughter attempts suicide after her stepfather and Justine separate. She's seen in a bathtub of pink water with cuts on her arm and leg. The bloody suicide attempt is mild compared with the graphic shootings where blood flows or spurts from chest and head wounds. Later, Hanna shoots Michael in the head to avoid hitting a young girl held in front of him. Along with excessive violence and property damage comes an abundance of crude and obscene expressions. Sex is implied a few times by couples in bed, getting out of bed or rumpled bedclothes. When Hanna's wife Justine is caught with her lover, Hanna implies he doesn't mind, so long as the lover doesn't touch Hanna's TV. Graphic violence, adolescent suicide attempts, and foul language make this a film to avoid.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Warner Bros., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522