FanUnity B(uzz)log

“Miami Vice” is a self-indulgent movie, but at the same time it remains entertaining. The movie is beautifully shot, with the lucious Caribbean landscapes one would expect from a big screen rendition of the classic 1980s series. In addition to beautiful ocean views, there are shots filled with character, like the romantic sequences in Cuba and the “Black Hawk Down” feel of Haiti.

The indulgence of “Miami Vice” isn’t limited to its lush visuals. One of the moments where the trait moves to arrogance is in the film’s sex scenes. The sex scenes last long enough to make you wonder whether they are in real-time or summaries of the action. It’s off-putting, since only Skinemax movies tend to spend as much of a duration in individual sex scenes as “Miami Vice” does, but there isn’t really much skin shown in the movie. Jamie Foxx has a rather long series of sex scenes with Naomie Harris, and later Collin Farrell beds down Gong Li repeatedly.

Farrell and Foxx are a very nice on-screen duo. They have bad haircuts and dress funny, but still manage to excude danger and power as the team of Sonny Crockett and “Rico” (short for Ricardo) Tubbs. Their charisma together is best summed up in a scene where Farrell’s Crockett is behaving in a questionable fashion, and Foxx’s Tubbs probes. When Farrell gives him a “WTF dude” look, Foxx’s Tubbs reassures, “I’d never doubt you.” You get the sense that these guys are as tight as brothers, which is a job well done by the actors. Harris and Li also do nice jobs as love interests.

The story thrusts Crockett and Tubbs undercover to infiltrate a complex drug running ring, run by a Colombian and involving a neo-nazi group. While Crockett and Tubbs prove their worth to the Colombian operators, Crockett seduces the leader guy’s majordomo/lover played by Gong Li and engages in a forbidden tryst with her. Meanwhile, Tubbs is tapping a member of the duo’s backup team (Harris), who gets abducted by the nazis. It all sets the stage for a dramatic show down.

“Miami Vice” is a smart movie, filled with lush visuals. Ultimately though its self-indulgence makes the movie drag at times. The slow pace keeps it from rockling along like a tradition summer action blockbuster and makes it stand apart in both good and bad ways.

3/5 Stars.