Some movies are so powerful that they shape the films that come after them. Heat, the 1995 crime epic directed by Michael Mann, is one of those movies. It stars Al Pacino as a detective and Robert De Niro as a master thief. The film is now streaming for free, giving new audiences a chance to enjoy it.
Heat tells the story of a Los Angeles detective who becomes obsessed with catching a group of skilled criminals. The film runs for nearly three hours, but it never feels slow. It is praised for its realistic action scenes and deep character development. Critics have called it one of the most influential crime films ever made.
What makes Heat truly remarkable is its lasting impact on other filmmakers. Christopher Nolan has said that Heat was a key inspiration for The Dark Knight. The opening bank robbery in that Batman film closely mirrors a heist scene from Heat. Nolan even screened Heat for his team before they started making the film.
Interest in Heat has grown again because a sequel is now in development. Heat 2 will be directed by Michael Mann and is expected to star Leonardo DiCaprio. If you have never seen the original, this would be a great time to watch it. Great stories, it seems, never really grow old.
