Al Pacino masterpiece returns to Netflix, 30 years after acclaimed debut

Some movies are just all-time classics. But that doesn't mean they're always available on the best streaming services all of the time. It's why I've previously written about physical media remaining a choice format.

Take 1995's Heat – starring an epic ensemble cast, including Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer – as one prime example. It's still widely regarded as one of the best American action-thrillers – but it's only just returned to Netflix here in the UK.

Heat has been available on Netflix before, last departing on 1 May 2024, before reappearing on the streamer from 1 July this year. That's why I caught wind of it – I've recently watched Havoc, and the algorithm identified Heat as another movie for me.

Heat trailer

Heat (1995) Theatrical Trailer [4K] [FTD-1354] - YouTube

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What's 1995's Heat about?

Heat is about criminal mastermind, Neil McCauley (played by Robert De Niro), who is in the game for big bucks only – bank heists and suchlike – before one last planned job to call it a day and retire happily.

One of his men, however, has gone rogue, and while trying to get his ducks in a row, there's the bother of Lieutenant Hanna (played by Al Pacino), who is onto McCauley's tail.

Hanna has his own problems, likely to result of his work-life obsession, which bring their own elements of humanity to the movie. It's not just gunfights, but Heat certainly does pack the firepower – in so many ways.

McCauley and Hanna, despite trying to take one another out, form a sort of mutual respect, with De Niro and Pacino earning their stripes in brilliant portrayals. Director Michael Mann's big close-ups further add to the intensity.

Is Heat a good movie?

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Like I said up top, some movies are all-time classics – and Heat is one such slice of cinema that endures even 30 years after its cinematic debut.

The audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes sits at a very healthy 94%, showing that it's stood the test of time – from original release through to today's versions.

It's been re-released in many formats, given the movie's age, with a more recent 2022 4K Blu-ray remaster being the subject of many a cinephile.

Largely because that rework's re-grading has really pushed the black levels down, creating a very dark image. You may want to adjust the settings of your best OLED TV to make sure that you get some mid-level lift and peak highlights into the mix too.

Not that the Netflix version is the same, I've checked on my TV and it's the non-HDR HD version with a 5.1 sound mix. It looks very dramatic, though, which is what Heat offers in abundance.