Sounds Like This Mann Needs A Miracle

Even as a fan of many of the films directed by Michael Mann over the years, I gotta be honest, after seeing the latest trailer for the film version of the TV series "Miami Vice" (which he helped to create) I was left thinking that it looks awful.

As it turns out, my initial assessment of things, may not be that far off.

Roger Friedman of Fox News.Com writes in his 411 column for today:

The inside word on Michael Mann’s “Miami Vice” is that it’s a dud, and a major one at that.

The remake of the 1980s TV series cost $125 million, “and that’s what we’re admitting to,” says a source at Universal Pictures. “It’s probably more like $150 million.”

That doesn’t count advertising, promotion and carting the likes of Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell around with their entourages and expensive habits.

The only upside, according to insiders, is that “Miami Vice” doesn't use much in the way of special effects. “There are some explosions, but little ones,” says a source.

The bigger problem, I am told, is that the movie fails to captures the flavor of the TV series or even establish a new identity. No matter what Mann’s done so far in editing, sources tell me

"Miami Vice" still comes across as a good-looking empty shell of a movie.

“Michael still has time to fix it, but not much,” says a source, noting the July 28 opening. “But he would have to pull off a miracle to make it work.”

“Look,” concludes another source, “we just didn’t have it this time.”

For Farrell, this isn’t the best of news. He’s yet to have an actual hit movie. His career is fast becoming better known for its real-life publicity — rehab, dating and fathering illegitimate children — than acting jobs. So far he’s got a stack of flops, including "The New World," "Alexander," "Ask the Dust" and "SWAT."

Foxx, at least, has "Dreamgirls" — a throwback to his "Ray" success — coming at Christmas.

I know its impossible to judge the entire movie on a trailer...But this report makes the flick sound downright dreadful...Quick someone call Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas.

The film is set to open on July 28th.