- Michael Mann's - Heat - Robert De Niro

directed by Michael Mann
USA 1995

A very strong, if exceedingly violent, film about crime and work obsession utilizing two men on opposite sides of the legal fence. I often consider this Michael Mann's best film. The sub-story of personal dedication over fiduciary responsibility is played on both sides. With a cop whose personal life is in turmoil because of his devotion to his work and self-imposed responsibility to the community. On the other hand a obsessively working master thief who refuses to let anything stand in the way of achieving his goals. Heat includes dazzling choreographed set pieces and a bank heist that rivals some of the best in action cinema history. It also offers the most impressive collection of actors in a single film that I can remember including Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore and Ashley Judd. All are memorable supporting players in this riveting L.A. cops and robbers tale. out of

Gary W. Tooze

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Theatrical Release: December 15th, 1995 - USA

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DVD Comparison:

Warner (original) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Warner (SE - 2 Disc) - Region 1 - NTSC

(Warner (original) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Warner (SE) - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Warner Region 1 - NTSC	Warner Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	2:50:20	2:50:15
Video	2.30:1 Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 5.44 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	2.33:1 Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 5.55 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Warner (original)
Bitrate: Warner (SE)
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 5.1), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)	English (Dolby Digital 5.1), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
Subtitles	English, French, and none	English, English (hearing impaired), French, Spanish, and none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Warner Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.30:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical trailers for three films DVD Release Date: December 2000 Snapper Case Chapters 52	Release Information: Studio: Warner Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.30:1 Edition Details: • Director Michael Mann does a screen-specific audio commentary • 11 Deleted Scenes • Making-Of Documentary: True Crime, Crime Stories, Into the Fire, Pacino and De Niro: The Conversation, Return to the Scene of the Crime DVD Release Date: February 22nd, 2005 Keep Case inside cardboard slip case Chapters: 52

Comments:

These two images are virtually identical. They have the exact same black border around the edge of the image and same chapter stops. Don't listen to other reviewers talking about how incredibly softer the original release is. The bitrate spikes and valleys indicate a similarity with negligible differences. The only difference that is important is that there appears to be a slight difference in aspect ratios (2.33 as opposed to 2.30). The characters on the new SE look thinner than they are in the old release. I have no way of knowing which is more accurate, but to my eye the original figures look more realistic (not elongated). Once the film is running though you will not notice it or care. the slight difference in total bit-rate (5.44 to 5.55) is probably due to the addition of the Mann commentary (our bitrate chart reads audio) on the new SE.

The only real reason to get the new SE would be for the extras - a screen specific commentary track by director Mann, deleted scenes, and some featurettes including one about the coffee conversation between Pacino and De Niro's respective characters. Obviously it is only worth the upgrade if you want the extras - which are excellent, otherwise your initial release does a fine job.

- Gary W. Tooze

DVD Menus

(Warner (original) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Warner (SE) - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)

Disc 2 of SE Edition