Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.5

Miami Vice Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 27, 2023

Michael Mann's "Miami Vice" (2006) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new audio commentary by film journalists Sean Hogan and James Mottram; several archival programs with cast and crew interviews; theatrical trailer; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked'.

Even the most vocal critics of Miami Vice concede that Michael Mann was probably the logical choice to direct it. It is because Mann does exceptionally well what made the original TV series special -- action and atmosphere. In fact, it is impossible to name another contemporary director who could have done a better job. Michael Bay could have produced flashier action, but he would have struggled to produce a superior atmosphere. William Friedkin could have produced a superior atmosphere, but he was an old-school director and would not have produced the flashy contemporary action to go along with it. Who else? Ridley Scott? I do not think so. For quite some time now, Scott has been directing increasingly self-indulgent and artificial films. Paul Greengrass? Definitely not the right man for the job. Half the people who might have gone to see his version of Miami Vice would have walked out of the theater with vertigo symptoms. Paul Verhoeven? He sounds good on paper, but he would have gone overboard with the atmosphere and pushed Miami Vice into a place that is not right for it. Christopher Nolan? Another unreliable choice, and for the same reason Verhoeven would have disappointed. The only director left that I would have felt somewhat comfortable rolling the dice with, if I was certain that Mann was unavailable, is Tony Scott. But the truth is that at the time when Miami Vice was conceived, Scott was already past his prime and struggling to match the quality of his best films. So, Mann was the most logical choice.

But Mann should have been approached with an offer to direct Miami Vice at least a decade earlier, possibly a year or two after Heat, but definitely not later than the year 2000. Yes, this speculation relies on the assumption that Mann would have been interested in tackling a big and risky project like Miami Vice immediately after Heat, but if he was, this would have been the right time to do it. Why exactly? Because this is when Mann peaked. Also, it would have been a great time to reunite Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas.

What? A reunion of the original Miami Vice stars? Then the entire concept behind Mann’s film would have had to be altered as well, correct? Yes. A lot would have had to change, with Mann’s involvement of course, but ultimately the new film most likely would have turned out much better. Here are a couple of reasons why:

Johnson and Thomas would have brought an element of continuity that Miami Vice desperately needs. With the continuity, Mann then would have had to do much more to stay closer to the original TV universe where Johnson and Thomas’ characters became stars. In its current form, Miami Vice is like a cinematic version of a theme park that simply capitalizes on memories about this TV universe, and the more you scrutinize how it does it, the less convincing it looks.

Mann would have had to slow down Miami Vice too, and this would have been a good thing. In its current form, Miami Vice is too high on adrenaline, frequently leaving the impression that it does not have the time for feelings and emotions that humanize its characters. No, because of this impatience, they do not look totally artificial, but there are more than a few examples where it feels like Miami Vice demands that they move through situations as fast as they can.

The dialog could use a major upgrade too, which would have been unavoidable if Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, and Gong Li were replaced. For example, Farrell repeatedly throwing around the term transpo does not make him sound like a legit undercover detective roaming the dark alleys and glitzy nightclubs of Miami. Farrell sounds like an actor desperately selling a character that makes him feel uncomfortable. Also, Li’s part, and especially her Cuban connection, needs a serious reevaluation. Li is predictably ravishing in every scene, but she is not right for her part and does a lot to erode the integrity of Miami Vice.

Miami Vice looks very sleek, but not everyone agrees that it is the right appearance for it. I happen to think that most of what Mann does with the camera to make Miami Vice appear sleek is effective. However, it lacks the quality material with the authentic characters to sell it as an essential element of a contemporary reimagination of the original TV universe. Years ago, when I became a fan of the original TV series, it was because it introduced authentic characters and relationships in a very cool environment that also felt authentic. Miami Vice reproduces some of the cool as sleek, which is fine, but lacks the rest.

*88 Films' two-disc set presents two versions of Miami Vice: Director's Cut, which is approximately 140 minutes long, and Theatrical Version, which is approximately 133 minutes long.

Miami Vice Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.40:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Miami Vice arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films.

Miami Vice looks very good in 1080p, and the only way it can look significantly better is if it transitioned to 4K. Yes, the current 1080p presentation reveals a few minor weaknesses that trained may spot, but only because the existing transfer is a bit old. In fact, I would go on record and state that even if Universal prepared a brand new 4K master and used it to produce a new 1080p presentation of Miami Vice, the overall quality of the new 1080p presentation will be extremely similar to the overall quality of the current 1080p presentation. Why? Because all of the improvements in a possible 4K presentation will be in two areas -- density levels, which will strengthen some of the darker footage, and color reproduction, which will end up expanding the dynamic range of the visuals, and with it ultimately the viewer's perception and appreciation of delineation and depth. The current 1080p presentation already handles these areas very well. Yes, there are noticeable density fluctuations, but they are introduced by very particular preferences, like allowing natural light and shadows to freely interact. (In case you are wondering, this is why some of the darker footage reveals more "noise". In 4K, the same footage will look tighter, but the "noise" will not be eliminated). Color balance and reproduction are already very good, so only a wider color gamut can introduce meaningful improvement. What else? Highlights and complex shadow nuances look either very good or excellent on the current presentation, though in a few areas they can be balanced a bit better. So, again, the move to 4K will introduce these balance adjustments. But that's it. Image stability is outstanding. The entire film still looks fresh and vibrant. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Miami Vice Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.

The lossless 5.1 track is outstanding. However, it must be acknowledged that Miami Vice has an exceptionally active soundtrack, so there are seemingly endless opportunities for the viewer to be impressed with tremendous dynamic contrasts and fantastic surround movement. Dialog is clear, but in some areas it can be somewhat uneven because of constant camera movement and influx of organic sounds and noises. I did not encounter any audio dropouts or distortions to report in our review.

Miami Vice Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

BLU-RAY DISC ONE - THEATRICAL VERSION

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by film journalists Sean Hogan and James Mottram. The two commentators highlight some of the major differences between the Theatrical Version and Director's Cut of Miami Vice, the unique qualities of the new characters and their environment, the action/action choreography and its unmistakable Michael Mann-esque qualities, the various locations that are seen throughout the film, the secondary casting choices, etc.

• Miami Vice: Vice City - Retrospective Documentary - this archival program takes a closer look at the conception and production history of Miami Vice as well as the various characters in it and their connection to the original characters from the iconic TV series. Included in it are clips from numerous interviews with cast and crew members. In English, not subtitled. (47 min).

• Miami Vice Undercover - this archival program examines the allure and danger(s) of undercover detective work and its recreation in Miami Vice. Michael Mann, several cast members, and former undercover detectives comment on it. Raw footage from the shooting of Miami Vice and real undercover work in Miami are included in it. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• Miami & Beyond: Shooting on Location - this archival program visits some of the locations that were chosen and used in Miami Vice. Michael Mann comments on them as well. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Visualizing Miami Vice - this archival program shows Michael Mann and his team choosing locations, particular looks, and camera angles to be used in key sequences in Miami Vice. Various cast and crew members comment on the work that is being done and Mann's choices. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• Behind the Scenes - three segments with raw footage from the preparation work and shooting of Miami Vice.
  
  1. Mojo Race. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).
  2. Gun Training. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).
  3. Haitian Hotel Camera Blocking. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Theatrical Trailer - presented here is a vintage U.S. trailer for Miami Vice. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

BLU-RAY DISC TWO - DIRECTOR'S CUT

• Bonus Features - there are no bonus features on this disc.

Miami Vice Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The more time passes, the more convinced I become that a contemporary remake of Miami Vice should have attempted to reunite Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas while it was possible. At best, Michael Mann's film pays tribute to the iconic TV series, and while it looks very, very sleek, its characters are quite underwhelming. I do not dislike it and think that it is an entertaining film. However, it is not the type of faithful and convincing film that a fan of the iconic TV series would rightfully demand. This two-disc set offers strong presentations of two different versions of Miami Vice with a good selection of bonus features. RECOMMENDED.