Arguably the biggest event at Beyond Fest in Los Angeles this year took place last night in Los Angeles, where filmmaker Michael Mann offered up his new “Miami Vice: Director’s Final Cut”.
The new take reworks Mann’s 2006 film, based on the iconic 1980s TV series of the same name about two detectives in Florida. The 2006 film famously switched out the sun-drenched locales, sports cars and pastel suits in favour of a much darker, serious and grittier aesthetic.
It grossed about $164 million worldwide, making it Mann’s fourth most financially successful film, but its high budget at the time meant it wasn’t hugely profitable and reviews for its theatrical cut were mixed.
In an effort to help disc sales, an ‘Unrated Director’s Cut’ that ran seven minutes longer was released to DVD and Blu-ray – changing the opening sequence from the in media res nightclub scene set to “Numb/Encore” to a speedboat race sequence, and including a number of new scenes along with some slight re-ordering.
In the years since, the film has become something of a cult classic – finding new fans and drawing in audiences to debate its merits in pubs and on podcasts. Now comes this new version, with fans highly anticipating what would be unveiled at the sell-out screening. Jason Reitman introduced the film, and a Q&A took place with the director himself who previously promised a “significantly recut final act”.
Unfortunately, based on the reception on social media at least, the reaction has been divisive, with much of the chatter focusing on that ending. A report at World of Reel from an attendee explains the big change – the new cut closes on Isabella’s boat heading out to sea and Crockett standing alone at his car. Cut to black.
Everything that used to follow – the raid on Montoya’s empty compound and the hospital scene – is gone. In addition, Nonpoint’s cover of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” is no longer in the film at all, while the scenes where Crockett chokes out a man at the trailer park and Isabella tells Crockett about her aunt’s house in Cuba are also gone. Otherwise, it hews closer to the Director’s Edition – so no cold “Numb/Encore” cold open like the theatrical cut.
Here’s a sampling of reactions online:
“Loved Miami Vice “Final Cut,” good news is that these versions are all available to us now & forever. I get the sense it was incredibly compromised & challenging, even for Mann, & this tinkering is like a trauma response to him never quite attaining what was in his mind’s eye” – Patrick Newman, Outside Issues
““In The Air Tonight” (cover version) is cut out completely from Michael Mann’s new cut of Miami Vice. Honestly, it’s better without it. Aside from not using the awesome theatrical opening (bummer) – it’s an otherwise great cut with smooth polishes!” – Jeff Goldsmith, The Q&A Podcast
“Saw Miami Vice: The Director’s Final Cut at Beyond Fest tonight & with the exception of the very end, I didn’t notice anything too different from the Unrated Extended Cut. BUT this version doesn’t use the cover of “In the Air Tonight” at all despite being listed in the credits.” – Jim Vejvoda, IGN
“Saw Miami Vice for the first time tonight at the Beyond Fest screening and uhhh can’t say I see the appeal. How much should I blame this on the new cut? I like all the classic Mann joints fwiw” – Allie Pape, Freelancer
“You will not believe how bad Mann f–ked up the ending of MIAMI VICE in this new cut. I’m in shock.” – Andrew Woods, WeezerBracket
“Well, the theatrical cut is still the best version of Mann’s Miami Vice, but it’s not like watching this movie on a huge screen in a packed theater is a bad way to see it. Your move, Jordan and Butler.” – Aaron Neuwirth, We Live Entertainment
You’ll be able to make up your own mind when “Miami Vice: Director’s Final Cut” comes to disc on December 15th.
