Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread - Page 3

scott1598 · 07-01-09, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid Snake PAC

Yeah..I've been listening to it nonstop since I came from the theater. Very engrossing.

power of the banjo!

cranberries fan · 07-01-09, 11:35 PM

Well I am the first to give this wonderful period film 5 stars I loved it from start to finish.

Amazing cast of fine actors and great (Billie Hoilday-LadyDay).

bunkaroo · 07-02-09, 12:00 AM

Just saw this. Pretty underwhelmed. Can't think of much I really liked. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't electric I expect from Mann. No chemistry between Depp and Coutilliard.

2.5/5.

Dean Kousoulas · 07-02-09, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdc3000

Hugely fucking disappointed. I usually like Mann's work because it's technically proficient while still having enough character and plot to pull you into the world and immerse you. He is typically a master at creating tension and keeping us involved... I enjoyed Miami Vice despite finding it a little cold, muddled and slightly uninvolving, but there was enough there to keep me interested... With Public Enemies there was literally only 40 minutes where I was anything but bored.

Having two of the best actors in the business (Depp and Bale) in a film that should be a cat and mouse thriller, would seem like a great recipe for success but we're NEVER given any insight into either man. I know nothing more about John Dillinger walking out than I did walking in, and I didn't know very much except the broad strokes. Purvis sounds like an interesting man, especially with the note at the end that he took his own life, but there is nothing in the film to get me involved. Things in this movie just seemed to HAPPEN. I was watching a bank robbery, but wasn't excited/thrilled/worried etc. about it - I was just sort of watching stuff happen that I had no emotional involvement in... we don't care about any of the characters so there are NO STAKES. None of the actions carry any weight.

I liked Depp and Bale but they needed more to do. The storyline with Cotillard lacked any spark to make me believe that these two people loved each other - so I didn't really care about their scenes together because I just wasn't feeling it... the movie feels hollow.

There are about 40 minutes that I thought really worked: Dillinger's escape, the forest gunfight, the finale etc. but having 100 minutes worth of padding didn't do the movie any favours. I don't know how Mann can take a story that sounds mundane like THE INSIDER and make a crackling, compelling thriller, but then takes something that is as exciting and sexy as robbing banks and makes it seem like paint drying. 2 out of 5.

That's pretty much the point I was getting at when I posted last night. Glad to know I'm not the only one who felt this way.

CloverClover · 07-02-09, 02:25 AM

I was very disappointed when I saw it today, and rated it half a star in this thread... but it has grown on me considerably since. I don't think it is a masterpiece, but there is something so cinematic about Bale and Depp squaring off in the trench coats, hats and tommy guns. I would be in line for some kind of extended cut which has better breath and character development... as is, I would raise half star to three and a half., can't put my finger exactly on why other than the impact of the filmmaking has grown in me.

Tarantino · 07-02-09, 04:11 AM

Three stars. A good movie, but nothing that I'll ever need to see again. As some have already said, there were no emotional connections to the characters, and the girl in the movie was just...dull. Who knows what John saw in her.

As usual in Mann movies, the scenery was great and the sound in my theater was amazing.

= J

Mike86 · 07-02-09, 04:23 AM

I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Depp and Bale were good as always and while I thought it could have been a tad shorter (maybe 20 minutes or so) I enjoyed it.

matrixrok9 · 07-02-09, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike86

I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Depp and Bale were good as always and while I thought it could have been a tad shorter (maybe 20 minutes or so) I enjoyed it.

Same here. Way better than Miami Vice. I'd give it a solid B. Probably the best gunshots I've heard, especially the cabin scene. It was nuts.

Sanjuro37 · 07-02-09, 08:32 AM

I was underwhelmed. I was looking forward to, in the age of the incessant shaky cam and editing, Michael Mann really showing the kids that an action scene can be way more visceral when you actually know what's going on, then he puts the damn shaky cam in his own movie. The shootouts were great, but they're a big step down from most of his action scenes. Depp and Bale had nothing to do, and Cotillard was totally flat. Still, a solid three star effort, but I was hugely disappointed by this.

bunkaroo · 07-02-09, 11:18 AM

Regarding the sound, I swear the movie sounded like it was in mono for most of picture. Only towards the end did it sound like there was gunfire coming from the sides.

Blu Man · 07-02-09, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunkaroo

Regarding the sound, I swear the movie sounded like it was in mono for most of picture. Only towards the end did it sound like there was gunfire coming from the sides.

I haven't seen it but when I first watched the trailer I thought my speakers were broken. Did Mann not only use shitty cameras but also a shitty sound system?

Solid Snake PAC · 07-02-09, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matrixrok9

Same here. Way better than Miami Vice. I'd give it a solid B. Probably the best gunshots I've heard, especially the cabin scene. It was nuts.

Best gunshots since Heat, right? Cuz...I don't think they were THAT good. But very good gunshots nonetheless.

No way that sound was crappy. Must've been the theaters some of you guys went to sounded amazing in mine.

Cardiac161 · 07-02-09, 01:25 PM

I didn't love Public Enemies but did like it a lot. Had similar themes to Mann's past movies like Heat & Miami Vice (determined rivalry of the two protagonists fm both sides of the law & the tragic romance between the female leads with the main characters).

Loved the gunfights and the way those tommies & BARs sounded & I also felt more compassion for John Dillinger in the end the same way I did with Neil McCauley.

RyoHazuki · 07-02-09, 02:47 PM

Add me to the underwhelmed list. Nothing really engrossing about the film at all. Its all pretty much by the numbers. Bad guys are good, good guys are bad. Everything was pretty much black and white. The shootouts were good but that's expected from Mann. Depp did a good job even though his role was pretty boring. Bale on the other hand comes off much worse with his fake accent and ultra shallow character. His character was played up in the trailers but his character is not developed at all. Seems strange to have underdeveloped characters when the movie is about thirty minutes too long but Public Enemies manages to do it.

oh and

Spoiler:

RyoHazuki · 07-02-09, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunkaroo

Regarding the sound, I swear the movie sounded like it was in mono for most of picture. Only towards the end did it sound like there was gunfire coming from the sides.

That's weird you mention that because I thought the sound was fucked in my theater. It sounded mono most of the time and the dialouge was really hard to hear sometimes.

scott1598 · 07-02-09, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunkaroo

Regarding the sound, I swear the movie sounded like it was in mono for most of picture. Only towards the end did it sound like there was gunfire coming from the sides.

guess it wasn't just my theater then.

MBoyd · 07-02-09, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyoHazuki

oh and

Spoiler:

I completely agree with that.

mdc3000 · 07-02-09, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyoHazuki

That's weird you mention that because I thought the sound was fucked in my theater. It sounded mono most of the time and the dialouge was really hard to hear sometimes.

I think there must be a batch of prints with fucked up sound, because I had the same issue when I saw it - the movie sounded like shit and seemed to be mono or 2.0 at best for the majority...I know that theatre is usually great for sound so I just figured maybe they were having an issue that day but if 4 people in different locations have mentioned it, something is up.

bunkaroo · 07-02-09, 05:11 PM

I'd probably guess the sound is intentional before I'd think it's a defect. Somehow I could see Mann going with mono to make it more like a 30's film.

matrixrok9 · 07-02-09, 05:18 PM

You might be right with some prints being bad. I watched it at Krikorian Theatres in Buena Park where the presentation is always top notch(digital audio and video), even in the smaller theatres (watched in a smaller screen) and had no problem with it. This has the best gunshots I've heard, yes even better than Heat. It was so crisp and clear that it felt like you were actually at the scene. I think the cops were firing the BARs in the forest and I could feel the impact of each shot. Especially when it hit a tree or a wall. I know my home theatre can't replicate this experience so I might just have have to watch the movie one more time just for the sound effects.

bunkaroo · 07-02-09, 05:47 PM

I will say the sound quality I heard was not bad, but there definitely wasn't much directional stuff happening.

cranberries fan · 07-03-09, 01:07 AM

I think most of you guys are way to hard on this flim it's period film from the 30's Mann's played out everypoint of Dillinger crimes from prison to end!

And just about everything Dillinger did is in the movie (some things Mann made-up in the movie I will not tell) and Johnny Depp will get a oscar nod for this period!

On-side note it's in my top 5 favorite movies of summer so far! and people this is right up there with the best of Gangsters Movies.

beavis69 · 07-03-09, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyoHazuki

Add me to the underwhelmed list. Nothing really engrossing about the film at all. Its all pretty much by the numbers. Bad guys are good, good guys are bad. Everything was pretty much black and white. The shootouts were good but that's expected from Mann. Depp did a good job even though his role was pretty boring. Bale on the other hand comes off much worse with his fake accent and ultra shallow character. His character was played up in the trailers but his character is not developed at all. Seems strange to have underdeveloped characters when the movie is about thirty minutes too long but Public Enemies manages to do it.

oh and

Spoiler:

Searching around on the interenet it appears your spoiler actually happened in real life. Anyways, movie was pretty contrived. Crime movie by the numbers. Mann needs to learn how to back the camera up a bit. To much extreme closeups that didnt really work very well on digital. The sound was off, not sure if it was my theater or the actual movie. The gunfights were pretty good though. Overall decent watch, but i don't think ill own it ever

Defiant1 · 07-03-09, 03:49 PM

Is Public Enemies better than Miami Vice at least? I couldn't believe how Michael Mann could turn such a cinematic premise as that and completely blow it.

Suprmallet · 07-03-09, 04:00 PM

I really liked Miami Vice and didn't like Public Enemies. This may be Mann's most boring film.

View Poll Results: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread
	2	2.90%
	5	7.25%
	23	33.33%
	10	14.49%
	12	17.39%
	5	7.25%
	8	11.59%
	2	2.90%
	0	0%
	1	1.45%
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“They ain't tough enough, smart enough or fast enough” to rob me of my money.	1	1.45%
Voters: 69. You may not vote on this poll

07-01-09, 11:35 PM	#52
cranberries fan DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: West Richland,WA Posts: 1,369	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread Well I am the first to give this wonderful period film 5 stars I loved it from start to finish. Amazing cast of fine actors and great (Billie Hoilday-LadyDay).

07-02-09, 12:00 AM	#53
bunkaroo DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 6,963	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread Just saw this. Pretty underwhelmed. Can't think of much I really liked. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't electric I expect from Mann. No chemistry between Depp and Coutilliard. 2.5/5. __________________ My DVD, Blu-Ray and HD DVD Collection @ DVD Profiler PSN: bunkaroo 360: TheBunkaroo

07-02-09, 02:25 AM	#55
CloverClover DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 1,615	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread I was very disappointed when I saw it today, and rated it half a star in this thread... but it has grown on me considerably since. I don't think it is a masterpiece, but there is something so cinematic about Bale and Depp squaring off in the trench coats, hats and tommy guns. I would be in line for some kind of extended cut which has better breath and character development... as is, I would raise half star to three and a half., can't put my finger exactly on why other than the impact of the filmmaking has grown in me.

07-02-09, 04:11 AM	#56
Tarantino DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: On my iBook in Central California Posts: 9,882	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread Three stars. A good movie, but nothing that I'll ever need to see again. As some have already said, there were no emotional connections to the characters, and the girl in the movie was just...dull. Who knows what John saw in her. As usual in Mann movies, the scenery was great and the sound in my theater was amazing. = J __________________ Our Quest for the IMDB Top 250 Twitter PSN - Kleeberg XBox Live - Kleeberg

07-02-09, 04:23 AM	#57
Mike86 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 287	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Depp and Bale were good as always and while I thought it could have been a tad shorter (maybe 20 minutes or so) I enjoyed it.

07-02-09, 08:32 AM	#59
Sanjuro37 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 340	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread I was underwhelmed. I was looking forward to, in the age of the incessant shaky cam and editing, Michael Mann really showing the kids that an action scene can be way more visceral when you actually know what's going on, then he puts the damn shaky cam in his own movie. The shootouts were great, but they're a big step down from most of his action scenes. Depp and Bale had nothing to do, and Cotillard was totally flat. Still, a solid three star effort, but I was hugely disappointed by this.

07-02-09, 11:18 AM	#60
bunkaroo DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 6,963	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread Regarding the sound, I swear the movie sounded like it was in mono for most of picture. Only towards the end did it sound like there was gunfire coming from the sides. __________________ My DVD, Blu-Ray and HD DVD Collection @ DVD Profiler PSN: bunkaroo 360: TheBunkaroo

07-02-09, 01:25 PM	#63
Cardiac161 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 857	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread I didn't love Public Enemies but did like it a lot. Had similar themes to Mann's past movies like Heat & Miami Vice (determined rivalry of the two protagonists fm both sides of the law & the tragic romance between the female leads with the main characters). Loved the gunfights and the way those tommies & BARs sounded & I also felt more compassion for John Dillinger in the end the same way I did with Neil McCauley.

07-02-09, 02:47 PM	#64
RyoHazuki DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Phoenix Posts: 7,795	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread Add me to the underwhelmed list. Nothing really engrossing about the film at all. Its all pretty much by the numbers. Bad guys are good, good guys are bad. Everything was pretty much black and white. The shootouts were good but that's expected from Mann. Depp did a good job even though his role was pretty boring. Bale on the other hand comes off much worse with his fake accent and ultra shallow character. His character was played up in the trailers but his character is not developed at all. Seems strange to have underdeveloped characters when the movie is about thirty minutes too long but Public Enemies manages to do it. oh and Spoiler: Depp walking into the police station and talking to the cops towards the end was absolutely ridiculous. __________________ When in Rome, go back home and get real dome from a well known crack gnome. Xbox Live: CookinBooks Last edited by RyoHazuki; 07-02-09 at 04:36 PM.

07-02-09, 05:11 PM	#69
bunkaroo DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 6,963	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread I'd probably guess the sound is intentional before I'd think it's a defect. Somehow I could see Mann going with mono to make it more like a 30's film. __________________ My DVD, Blu-Ray and HD DVD Collection @ DVD Profiler PSN: bunkaroo 360: TheBunkaroo

07-02-09, 05:18 PM	#70
matrixrok9 DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 1,757	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread You might be right with some prints being bad. I watched it at Krikorian Theatres in Buena Park where the presentation is always top notch(digital audio and video), even in the smaller theatres (watched in a smaller screen) and had no problem with it. This has the best gunshots I've heard, yes even better than Heat. It was so crisp and clear that it felt like you were actually at the scene. I think the cops were firing the BARs in the forest and I could feel the impact of each shot. Especially when it hit a tree or a wall. I know my home theatre can't replicate this experience so I might just have have to watch the movie one more time just for the sound effects. __________________ "I got my balls busted"- Tentacle Brothers. Last edited by matrixrok9; 07-02-09 at 05:23 PM.

07-02-09, 05:47 PM	#71
bunkaroo DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 6,963	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread I will say the sound quality I heard was not bad, but there definitely wasn't much directional stuff happening. __________________ My DVD, Blu-Ray and HD DVD Collection @ DVD Profiler PSN: bunkaroo 360: TheBunkaroo

07-03-09, 01:07 AM	#72
cranberries fan DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: West Richland,WA Posts: 1,369	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread I think most of you guys are way to hard on this flim it's period film from the 30's Mann's played out everypoint of Dillinger crimes from prison to end! And just about everything Dillinger did is in the movie (some things Mann made-up in the movie I will not tell) and Johnny Depp will get a oscar nod for this period! On-side note it's in my top 5 favorite movies of summer so far! and people this is right up there with the best of Gangsters Movies.

07-03-09, 03:49 PM	#74
Defiant1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 424	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread Is Public Enemies better than Miami Vice at least? I couldn't believe how Michael Mann could turn such a cinematic premise as that and completely blow it. __________________ "In war, the law falls silent."

07-03-09, 04:00 PM	#75
Suprmallet Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: USS Enterprise Posts: 21,737	Re: Public Enemies (Mann, 2009) — The Reviews Thread I really liked Miami Vice and didn't like Public Enemies. This may be Mann's most boring film. __________________ Living Dead: So what you're saying is... no one died in the middle of your store when you told them they couldn't have a $10 plasma TV? I find that a little hard to swallow.