MIAMI VICE

I'm not at all familiar with the TV series and so I brought no expectations to this film, other than that I was aware that it is not highly regarded within the canon of director Michael Mann.

I can't disagree with that assessment; it's no 'Heat' but I was happy enough to spend time with Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx (as Crockett and Tubbs respectively).

It's visually stylish if you're happy with the look of a digital camera - I'm not sure that I am.

The plot is no great shakes - Crockett and Tubbs go undercover in drug cartel.  Crockett goes so underground he starts an intense relationship with Isabella who is a financial adviser and lover to the cartel's kingpin.  The highlight of the film is a sequence showing Crockett and Isabella falling in love with each other, starting with a speedboat trip to Cuba.  Isabella is superbly played by Gong Li.

Also making an impression is John Ortiz as Yero, the cartel's head of security who is thoroughly unpleasant throughout.

The action sequences are nothing special.  It can't have helped that the climactic shootout was put together in a rush because the original ending had to be scrapped.