Michael Mann’s 1995 classic set a industry standard for what a shootout should be. Heat’s on screen gunplay still stands up 24 years later as realistic, well choreographed, and tactically sound.
The attention to detail included extensive live fire training for the actors with SAS operators and live fire audio to be certain the sound in the movie generated the correct ambience for the scene’s gravity.
The iconic moment, in my mind at least, is Val Kilmer spotting the approaching armed lawmen and making a critical decision. He doesn’t hesitate, no shoutout to his waiting comrades in the car, no other dramatically futile gesture a movie troupe might suggest. He shoots and his car full of waiting friends gets the idea. Suppression, a rolling gunfight, talking guns, proper reloads. It’s all there.
Have a good weekend all!
