At the time of writing, the anti-80s sentiment that was so strong particularly in the 90s has more or less disappeared. Finally, we can again appreciate this strange decade's fashion. Miami Vice was cutting-edge, the coolest of the coolest, and a must-see for those fascinated by 80s aesthetics. Some of the episodes are actually slow and contemplative, focusing much more on building a cool atmosphere rather than on endless action scenes. Somehow, it captures much of the optimistic "no problem" attitude of the decade that has recently been dismissed as "kitsch". At least, this is the case for the first couple of seasons. The speculative elements that at the time raised some criticism look innocent and almost charming compared to what's being shown today. You can see cool design, cool clothes, cool architecture, cool attitudes, cool cars, cool boats, listen to cool music. Though one may like or dislike the style, everyone will see that there has been put quite an enormous effort into all this. As for the stories, they fit the spirit of the series quite well - they're interesting enough to catch your interest - never complex, but not devoid of intriguing and well-developed characters. This is simply one of the best showcases for what the 80s were all about.
107 Reviews
Redefined the '80s with it's distinct style
captgage-111 July 2011
I don't care what the Don Johnson detractors think, this show is still distinct to this day! I'm glad it won Emmys without pretending to be Masterpiece Theater. This how had a distinct visual style and distinct lingo, which I still use today (esp. "Jou got it, meng!"). And the year is 2011! LOL Don Johnson plays Detective Sony Crockett, a troubled cop who one day meets up with Rico Tubbs, a New York police detective who comes to Miami to avenge the death of his brother. Thus, a legend was born, along with a working relationship and a friendship.
I got a bit fed up with so many people bitching that MV was no good in the 3rd season just because it got darker and more depressing. No, it wasn't QUITE the same, but that was the idea of MV. It's good to see IMDB users such as yarborough sticking up for Season 3, though I think his assessment of the series overall was pretty harsh. There were many episodes I really liked besides those he mentioned and those I've mentioned, granted his opinion is somewhat agreeabl whjen it comes to Season 2.
Critics whined that the music video format would be old hat, but who cares? It's still around, just online instead of on MTV or VH1 much anymore, for gosh sake!!! Miami Vice, despite its detractors, brings back memories of when I was in college too. It reminds us what a fun, memorable decade the '80s were. Thank God for DVD box sets. And as for the casting, it's like a who's who of guest stars, many of whom would take Hollywood by storm: Bruce Willis, Julia Roberts, David Strathairn -- along with other famous entertainers such as Miles Davis and Phil Collins.
Kinda annoyed me when the 2006 movie came out. A friend of mine liked it because "It's not a Don Johnson thing. It had a storyline." This series had HALF A DECADE of story lines. I still can't forget "Evan" to this day, or "Return of Calderone!" Two of the best TV eps ever! Don't get me wrong: the movie isn't bad for what it is. I just got a bit tired of people hating on this show just because they didn't like Johnson. At least he was colorful. Long live Miami Vice, pal!
I got a bit fed up with so many people bitching that MV was no good in the 3rd season just because it got darker and more depressing. No, it wasn't QUITE the same, but that was the idea of MV. It's good to see IMDB users such as yarborough sticking up for Season 3, though I think his assessment of the series overall was pretty harsh. There were many episodes I really liked besides those he mentioned and those I've mentioned, granted his opinion is somewhat agreeabl whjen it comes to Season 2.
Critics whined that the music video format would be old hat, but who cares? It's still around, just online instead of on MTV or VH1 much anymore, for gosh sake!!! Miami Vice, despite its detractors, brings back memories of when I was in college too. It reminds us what a fun, memorable decade the '80s were. Thank God for DVD box sets. And as for the casting, it's like a who's who of guest stars, many of whom would take Hollywood by storm: Bruce Willis, Julia Roberts, David Strathairn -- along with other famous entertainers such as Miles Davis and Phil Collins.
Kinda annoyed me when the 2006 movie came out. A friend of mine liked it because "It's not a Don Johnson thing. It had a storyline." This series had HALF A DECADE of story lines. I still can't forget "Evan" to this day, or "Return of Calderone!" Two of the best TV eps ever! Don't get me wrong: the movie isn't bad for what it is. I just got a bit tired of people hating on this show just because they didn't like Johnson. At least he was colorful. Long live Miami Vice, pal!
The 80s personified
safenoe3 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I can't believe it's taken me ages and ages to post an imdb user review for Miami Vice. Anyway, even though it debuted 40 years ago, yes really, that long ago, it is a time capsule of the 80s and stands the test of time. Funny how teenage boys at the time were motivated to dress like Don Johnson and such was the influence of Miami Vice seriously. I'd say the first three seasons stand out, and after that it kind of faltered sadly, but at least it ran for five glorious years.
Saundra Santiago played Detective Gina Calabrese, and it's a shame her role didn't get much more screen time.
By the way, I haven't seen the Miami Vice movie.
Saundra Santiago played Detective Gina Calabrese, and it's a shame her role didn't get much more screen time.
By the way, I haven't seen the Miami Vice movie.
Pure 80's!
BlackJack_B11 April 2001
I remember back in 1985, when I was in Grade 9 that the teacher wanted to have the students talk about themselves. We were given a personal questionnaire, then we would divulge our answers. When it came to our favorite T.V. show, 18 out 30 students said "Miami Vice". And that's how I was introduced to this show.
Running during the years when NBC was dominant in prime-time and daytime (1984-1991), when the other networks were struggling as opposed to the pathetic NBC we have now, Miami Vice was probably the second most popular show in the U.S. after The Cosby Show.
Miami Vice is a crime-drama about two detectives, Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) and a transplant from New York, Ricardo Tubbs (Phillip Michael Thomas) who fight crime in Miami. Unlike other by-the-book cop shows, this one brought back the cool trend brought in years back with Starsky & Hutch. The men are dressed in cool pastel clothes (Johnson became quite a fashion plate during these years), have a sleek white Ferrari and certainly have 80's panache in dealing with criminal element.
Like many programs during the "Flashdance" era, there is music in the background at all times but Miami Vice played the current hits as well. It was a big honour for artists to have their music played on the show.
Of course, today the show is a bit dated and a lot of people think that Don Johnson dominates too many episodes but he was THE MAN and PMT didn't mind playing second fiddle (who was hotter than Don?). Still, as a lover of the 80's this show is a must-watch for me. Too bad it's on the more pathetic TNN (WE GOT POP!!) but I tolerate it. Also, Don Johnson's current hit "Nash Bridges" is good, too. He may be a little heftier but that voice and his fashion sense haven't changed.
Running during the years when NBC was dominant in prime-time and daytime (1984-1991), when the other networks were struggling as opposed to the pathetic NBC we have now, Miami Vice was probably the second most popular show in the U.S. after The Cosby Show.
Miami Vice is a crime-drama about two detectives, Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) and a transplant from New York, Ricardo Tubbs (Phillip Michael Thomas) who fight crime in Miami. Unlike other by-the-book cop shows, this one brought back the cool trend brought in years back with Starsky & Hutch. The men are dressed in cool pastel clothes (Johnson became quite a fashion plate during these years), have a sleek white Ferrari and certainly have 80's panache in dealing with criminal element.
Like many programs during the "Flashdance" era, there is music in the background at all times but Miami Vice played the current hits as well. It was a big honour for artists to have their music played on the show.
Of course, today the show is a bit dated and a lot of people think that Don Johnson dominates too many episodes but he was THE MAN and PMT didn't mind playing second fiddle (who was hotter than Don?). Still, as a lover of the 80's this show is a must-watch for me. Too bad it's on the more pathetic TNN (WE GOT POP!!) but I tolerate it. Also, Don Johnson's current hit "Nash Bridges" is good, too. He may be a little heftier but that voice and his fashion sense haven't changed.
Simply the best TV series ever made.
tweak-me6 February 2007
Although made for television this show portrayed a real street presence not often found in the public domain. Having lived through this period and witnessed, first hand, the "drug culture," and its effect on the population, the program stands as a warning to those who want to experiment, the nightmare to the general population, and the ever-present danger and bravery of the police who try to cope with this never-ending misery. The daily antics of Crocket and Tubbs, the characters they meet, the villains and the heroes of their streets,make the reality palatable while at the same time shrouding their discomfort with humor, e.g., Izzy, material breaking down, glitzy surroundings. Well worth watching many times over.
Sunshine noir
Mr-Fusion13 February 2017
I didn't catch "Miami Vice" when it originally aired (too young) but when I did, it was when I could appreciate its cultural impact. This *was* the '80s, or at least the MTV version of it; and that's exactly why I fell so hard for this show. For one thing, it created a sense of mood like nobody's business. No matter what Crockett and Tubbs were investigating, there as always a music video to capture the state mind. But there was substance to back up the style; this show covered some heavy stuff. And production values to match; even on the TV screen, this feels more cinematic than its contemporaries.
For years, I'd heard of "Miami Vice" as a zeitgeist-capturing beast rich in cop-show angst and flashy style; but in the end, it's a thoroughly entertaining plunge into the lives of two undercover cowboys and their vibrant surroundings. And you can't beat that soundtrack.
My favorite TV show for very good reason. All I need is to hear a piece of Jan Hammer synth and I'm right back there on the gold coast.
10/10
For years, I'd heard of "Miami Vice" as a zeitgeist-capturing beast rich in cop-show angst and flashy style; but in the end, it's a thoroughly entertaining plunge into the lives of two undercover cowboys and their vibrant surroundings. And you can't beat that soundtrack.
My favorite TV show for very good reason. All I need is to hear a piece of Jan Hammer synth and I'm right back there on the gold coast.
10/10
Tv became cool again in the eighties and Miami Vice made it happen. Michael Mann's tv series already showed all his thrilling visual excellence as a movie director.
imseeg12 May 2019
Miami Vice made tv COOL again back in the eighties. It was the hottest and newest thing back then. Yes, those detectives looked somewhat dandy and silly at times, with their designer clothes, but they did look COOL as well.
Miami Vice was special, but I dont wanna argue that it is special enough to be watched by young viewers, who have never seen it before. It is very enjoyable to look back on though for the 40 plus generation. It is not only nostalgia though, because Miami Vice aged rather well. I still get thrilled watching it. That is to say, I get thrilled by SOME episodes. There are many rather average ones among them as well.
What made Miami Vice special, was the use of popular music as a soundtrack. That hadnt been done before. MTV was just new back then and for the first time visuals started to matter for musicians and bands. Miami Vice's style looked like a contineous video clip, with stunning photography and lots of cool poses accompanied by popular eighties artist's music. Artists, the greatest among them, lined up to have their music played on the series.
Everything that later turned into excellence in director Michael Mann's feature movies, can already be found in the Miami Vice tv series: the feeling of isolation during the nights on the streets of American cities has so vividly been captured in many great Michael Mann movies later on. There is something about Michael Mann's style of direction that oozes a spirit of cool and desolation. That spirit made those series so irresistable and thrilling to watch, with the whole family. Yes, everybody watched it, from granny to young kids!
Many Imdb reviewers advice to watch the first seasons. I would recommend that as well, starting with the 90 minutes pilot episode, which is really good. Or one can also search for an episode which features one of your favorite actors like:
Bruce Willis, Julia Roberts, Liam Neeson, Laurence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes, Bill Paxton, Viggo Mortensen, Ben Stiller or Melanie Griffith. Many of these stars were unknown or upcoming back then and are now household names.
Personally I especially loved those episodes which featured my favorite music like U2 and Peter Gabriel for instance. It enhances the thrill when an already cool and thrilling story suddenly starts playing my favorite song from "The Unforgettable Fire" during a chase scene...
Great thrill to be able to watch it again!
Miami Vice was special, but I dont wanna argue that it is special enough to be watched by young viewers, who have never seen it before. It is very enjoyable to look back on though for the 40 plus generation. It is not only nostalgia though, because Miami Vice aged rather well. I still get thrilled watching it. That is to say, I get thrilled by SOME episodes. There are many rather average ones among them as well.
What made Miami Vice special, was the use of popular music as a soundtrack. That hadnt been done before. MTV was just new back then and for the first time visuals started to matter for musicians and bands. Miami Vice's style looked like a contineous video clip, with stunning photography and lots of cool poses accompanied by popular eighties artist's music. Artists, the greatest among them, lined up to have their music played on the series.
Everything that later turned into excellence in director Michael Mann's feature movies, can already be found in the Miami Vice tv series: the feeling of isolation during the nights on the streets of American cities has so vividly been captured in many great Michael Mann movies later on. There is something about Michael Mann's style of direction that oozes a spirit of cool and desolation. That spirit made those series so irresistable and thrilling to watch, with the whole family. Yes, everybody watched it, from granny to young kids!
Many Imdb reviewers advice to watch the first seasons. I would recommend that as well, starting with the 90 minutes pilot episode, which is really good. Or one can also search for an episode which features one of your favorite actors like:
Bruce Willis, Julia Roberts, Liam Neeson, Laurence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes, Bill Paxton, Viggo Mortensen, Ben Stiller or Melanie Griffith. Many of these stars were unknown or upcoming back then and are now household names.
Personally I especially loved those episodes which featured my favorite music like U2 and Peter Gabriel for instance. It enhances the thrill when an already cool and thrilling story suddenly starts playing my favorite song from "The Unforgettable Fire" during a chase scene...
Great thrill to be able to watch it again!
7.5 on IMDb?????
j-mparkin2 November 2014
This really was a seminal show, the atmosphere, camera angles, juxtaposition of music and scenes, drama, action, and especially downbeat endings which were quite unusual and unique at the time, gave the show a unique nihilistic tone. So many stand out episodes and scenes, the acting, especially by Johnson was outstanding, and Oscar worthy IMO. Each Season is quite distinctive in tone, and for me it was always must see television, with extremely high quality production values. This show had plenty of style, but there was plenty of substance, with some of the best writing ever in television series. I own the box set, and have to say, that I rate it right up there with the likes of The Sopranos (9.3 on IMDb). Punchy and Groundbreaking, definitely worth a look. The scenes at night speeding through Miami to a thumping soundtrack are truly breathtaking! Highly Recommended!!
Alligators, boats, fast cars and undercover police...
paul_haakonsen9 February 2016
I can't really claim to be a fan of the numerous crime-solving TV shows that constantly pop up on the TV again and again. But being a young teenager in the mid-Eighties, I did of course watch "Miami Vice". And I can say that it was actually a good show back in the day.
The music in the TV series was one of the more memorable of music from the mid-Eighties. And who hasn't heard the timeless theme music from "Miami Vice". It is just one of those tunes that you never forget once you heard.
The series is about Detective James Crockett (played by Don Johnson) and Detective Ricardo Tubbs (played by Philip Michael Thomas). Crockett is a relatively carefree man who lives on a sailboat, which is guarded by a trusty alligator named Elvis. Tubbs is a New York police officer who is looking for the man who killed his brother. These two very different men team up to bring down the Florida drug and crime world.
The two main characters were very well-fleshed out and had lots of background story, and equally much character development throughout the series, which really helped build up a solid and memorable TV series. And they had cast two good actors for the roles; two actors who have great on-screen charisma and also capable of holding their own on the screen.
Of course, as crime shows go, then there is a certain level of predictability that permeates each and every episode. But creators Anthony Yerkovich and Andres Carranza still did manage to put together a solid TV show that captivated the audience week after week.
And as this was a mid-Eighties TV crime show, then it wasn't soiled by the usage of ridiculous computer tools, software and other such unrealistic tools that are often seen in crime TV shows today. And that does add a certain level of believability to the series.
"Miami Vice" was a great TV series back in its day. And I will say that it can still be watched today. However, I doubt that the people whom are growing up with today's crime shows will find overly much enjoyment in "Miami Vice", as it might be a bit crude and gritty compared to today's fancy and CGI galore crime shows.
The music in the TV series was one of the more memorable of music from the mid-Eighties. And who hasn't heard the timeless theme music from "Miami Vice". It is just one of those tunes that you never forget once you heard.
The series is about Detective James Crockett (played by Don Johnson) and Detective Ricardo Tubbs (played by Philip Michael Thomas). Crockett is a relatively carefree man who lives on a sailboat, which is guarded by a trusty alligator named Elvis. Tubbs is a New York police officer who is looking for the man who killed his brother. These two very different men team up to bring down the Florida drug and crime world.
The two main characters were very well-fleshed out and had lots of background story, and equally much character development throughout the series, which really helped build up a solid and memorable TV series. And they had cast two good actors for the roles; two actors who have great on-screen charisma and also capable of holding their own on the screen.
Of course, as crime shows go, then there is a certain level of predictability that permeates each and every episode. But creators Anthony Yerkovich and Andres Carranza still did manage to put together a solid TV show that captivated the audience week after week.
And as this was a mid-Eighties TV crime show, then it wasn't soiled by the usage of ridiculous computer tools, software and other such unrealistic tools that are often seen in crime TV shows today. And that does add a certain level of believability to the series.
"Miami Vice" was a great TV series back in its day. And I will say that it can still be watched today. However, I doubt that the people whom are growing up with today's crime shows will find overly much enjoyment in "Miami Vice", as it might be a bit crude and gritty compared to today's fancy and CGI galore crime shows.
The epitome of '80s cool
Tweekums19 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
When I first sat down to watch 'Miami Vice' I thought it was going to be 'just another cop show' but it soon became clear that this was something different. The opening episode introduces the two stars of the show; Miami cop Sonny Crockett and New York cop Ricardo Tubbs, who is in Miami to find the man who killed his brother. Inevitable Tubbs ends up staying and so began one of the great TV police partnerships. Most episodes follow these two but they aren't the only cops in the department that matter; episodes also involve female cops Trudi and Gina; Switek and Zito, who frequently provide light relief, and their taciturn boss Lt. Castillo.
The show was almost as much about the glamorous lifestyles then the cases as Crockett drives around in a Ferrari, lives on a yacht with his pet alligator and races around in a powerful speedboat this is all justified by the fact that he needs to be able to play the role of a successful criminal for his undercover work. This of course also justifies some great chase scenes both on the water and on the roads of Miami. These scenes are almost invariably accompanied by the music of Jan Hammer to great effect.
The acting was good; Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas did great jobs as Crockett and Tubbs and Edward James Olmos was brilliant as Castillo. During the course of the series there are guest appearances from actors who will go on to be some of the biggest stars in Hollywood.
There are of course some negatives; as the series approaches its end it is obvious that the budget has been slashed; the exciting chases are few and far between, more and more episodes don't feature both Crockett and Tubbs in major roles and Jan Hammer is no longer providing the music. The series is still very watchable and doesn't seem too dated although these days if a man in a white suit gets machine gunned I'd expect to see more blood than featured here! There are a handful of poor episodes, one or two are terrible, but overall the quality is pretty high, especially in the middle seasons. If you enjoy classic cop shows this one is well worth picking up.
The show was almost as much about the glamorous lifestyles then the cases as Crockett drives around in a Ferrari, lives on a yacht with his pet alligator and races around in a powerful speedboat this is all justified by the fact that he needs to be able to play the role of a successful criminal for his undercover work. This of course also justifies some great chase scenes both on the water and on the roads of Miami. These scenes are almost invariably accompanied by the music of Jan Hammer to great effect.
The acting was good; Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas did great jobs as Crockett and Tubbs and Edward James Olmos was brilliant as Castillo. During the course of the series there are guest appearances from actors who will go on to be some of the biggest stars in Hollywood.
There are of course some negatives; as the series approaches its end it is obvious that the budget has been slashed; the exciting chases are few and far between, more and more episodes don't feature both Crockett and Tubbs in major roles and Jan Hammer is no longer providing the music. The series is still very watchable and doesn't seem too dated although these days if a man in a white suit gets machine gunned I'd expect to see more blood than featured here! There are a handful of poor episodes, one or two are terrible, but overall the quality is pretty high, especially in the middle seasons. If you enjoy classic cop shows this one is well worth picking up.
A hugely enjoyable show. Groundbreaking for its time.
coltsw-1080324 June 2019
In spite of Don Johnson's pretty face and wimpy physique clad in pastels and Philip Michael Thomas's absolute inability to act (the man had NO talent whatsoever), this show was COOL! I remember it vividly and tried to watch every episode, even though it was hokey as could be. Michael Mann made it great. The music was awesome and Miami made it shine.
THE GREATEST COP SHOW OF ALL TIME!!!
roweshowsports15 November 2022
Miami Vice is easily the greatest cop show ever made. The casting is perfect, the Scripps are perfect, they were able to pay money to use actual 80s hits on every single episode, which only made each episode better, and added to the allure of the shell Don Johnson plays Sonny to perfection Philip plays Ricardo Tubbs to absolute perfection. There are a bunch of well-known 80s 90s stars that make guest appearances on the show which is awesome, there just wasn't anything made like this before or cents. There is a reason it ran 111 episodes. If you haven't seen this before, or maybe have seen an episode here or there, I highly suggest you sit down and watch the show and it's entirety, you will not be disappointed. The show is absolute TV, cinematic history, and as I stated, easily, the greatest cop TV show ever made, and it's not even close , the atmosphere and feeling that each episode creates just can't be matched or replicated.
Great storylines. Horrid acting. No regard for Police Procedure
Critiquethecritics23 February 2021
Great concept. Early Michael Mann. As I undertand, Mann wanted a movie and producers wanted a series and restricted his input and control. Watch the movie with Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx to see Mann's original vision. MANY MANY MANY first appearances by future stars. Michael Madsen, Bruce Willis, Ed O'Neil...
Body Count Reached a Ridiculous 40-50 Per Season
quitwastingmytime21 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
All flash and no substance. A series of MTV imitation sequences punctuated by the most violence seen on prime time TV up to that time.
In each season, the two cops killed an average of 40 to 50 people per season, at least two to three per show. IRL, all the cops in the whole state of Florida didn't kill that many people. Vice was trying to imitate Lethal Weapon, but didn't have a buddy cop pair with humor. So they lazily decided to be "gritty.'
As to the music, the show gets an extra point for a guest shot for Suicidal Tendencies. Even if they showed the audience dancing to them like bad Broadway dancers posing as punks.
Mostly the music was the likes of Phil Collins and Don Henley, two former rockers from the 70s trying to stay relevant by cutting their hair and doing bland pop songs.
Yes, the audience for this was not in their teens or 20s. Those kids went out on the weekends. It was the sheltered nerds staying home without dates or parties who thought it was cool. They, or frat boys being faddish, fell for the ridiculous fashions.
It was also people in their 30s who were the audience. They heard about that new MTV thing and imagined this show would clue them in. But as rapper Ice T said, "Miami Vice is small time, LA is the real deal!"
IOW, hip hop and rock fans mocked this show. Pop music and other fad followers imitated it for its first two years. The ratings fell pretty sharply after that, and it barely held on for the rest of its run.
In each season, the two cops killed an average of 40 to 50 people per season, at least two to three per show. IRL, all the cops in the whole state of Florida didn't kill that many people. Vice was trying to imitate Lethal Weapon, but didn't have a buddy cop pair with humor. So they lazily decided to be "gritty.'
As to the music, the show gets an extra point for a guest shot for Suicidal Tendencies. Even if they showed the audience dancing to them like bad Broadway dancers posing as punks.
Mostly the music was the likes of Phil Collins and Don Henley, two former rockers from the 70s trying to stay relevant by cutting their hair and doing bland pop songs.
Yes, the audience for this was not in their teens or 20s. Those kids went out on the weekends. It was the sheltered nerds staying home without dates or parties who thought it was cool. They, or frat boys being faddish, fell for the ridiculous fashions.
It was also people in their 30s who were the audience. They heard about that new MTV thing and imagined this show would clue them in. But as rapper Ice T said, "Miami Vice is small time, LA is the real deal!"
IOW, hip hop and rock fans mocked this show. Pop music and other fad followers imitated it for its first two years. The ratings fell pretty sharply after that, and it barely held on for the rest of its run.
Even with 80's rose tinted glasses it holds up.
amesmonde31 August 2011
This classic ground breaking series followed two very different Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami.
It holds up, the characters are still as endearing as they were back then. The first season has its faults mainly the abrupt cutting between scenes (due to planned adverts) but also at times the writers or directors don't seem to know how to finish a scene before the next as with many of the shows of the time. New comers may find this a little jarring and frustrating as this has been finely tuned in modern quality TV shows.
The first season has some rough episodes but of the 22 they are the few and far between. The characters are great and the acting is decent for the most part. The meeting of the both leads is great, Ricardo Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas), a New York street cop collides with James "Sonny" Crockett (Don Johnson) Former football star and 'Nam vet' now undercover detective. It's good to watch their friendship grow through good and bad times. The supporting cast are on fine form, notably Det. Gina Calabrese (Saundra Santiago) and Lt. Castillo (Edward James Olmos) who becomes their new boss a few episodes in.
Its fitting that the exposition isn't forced and you need to take note to what the characters are saying. Many of the cast are while not major stars are veteran bit part actors who have familiar faces. In addition, as well as the many guest stars including Bruce Willis it's surprising how many of the supporting cast are stars now, for example Ving Rhames.
Even after being viewed through 80's rose tinted glasses and overlooking some cheese - it encapsulates a fanciful nostalgia, the clothes, the cars, the boats, soundtrack and even Miami itself. The style and panache of Crockett and Tubbs sums it up, but that's not to say the locations, story lines and character are not without a dark side, prostitution, kidnapping, murder and drugs (mainly heroin) to name a few. These maybe sanitized slightly due to censorship of the time but there's enough to give it an edge especially for the time.
Restrictions and the unkindness of time aside, like the Equalizer, from its motion picture shooting style and production/wardrobe design, to the landmark music Miami Vice is as entertaining today as it was back then.
It holds up, the characters are still as endearing as they were back then. The first season has its faults mainly the abrupt cutting between scenes (due to planned adverts) but also at times the writers or directors don't seem to know how to finish a scene before the next as with many of the shows of the time. New comers may find this a little jarring and frustrating as this has been finely tuned in modern quality TV shows.
The first season has some rough episodes but of the 22 they are the few and far between. The characters are great and the acting is decent for the most part. The meeting of the both leads is great, Ricardo Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas), a New York street cop collides with James "Sonny" Crockett (Don Johnson) Former football star and 'Nam vet' now undercover detective. It's good to watch their friendship grow through good and bad times. The supporting cast are on fine form, notably Det. Gina Calabrese (Saundra Santiago) and Lt. Castillo (Edward James Olmos) who becomes their new boss a few episodes in.
Its fitting that the exposition isn't forced and you need to take note to what the characters are saying. Many of the cast are while not major stars are veteran bit part actors who have familiar faces. In addition, as well as the many guest stars including Bruce Willis it's surprising how many of the supporting cast are stars now, for example Ving Rhames.
Even after being viewed through 80's rose tinted glasses and overlooking some cheese - it encapsulates a fanciful nostalgia, the clothes, the cars, the boats, soundtrack and even Miami itself. The style and panache of Crockett and Tubbs sums it up, but that's not to say the locations, story lines and character are not without a dark side, prostitution, kidnapping, murder and drugs (mainly heroin) to name a few. These maybe sanitized slightly due to censorship of the time but there's enough to give it an edge especially for the time.
Restrictions and the unkindness of time aside, like the Equalizer, from its motion picture shooting style and production/wardrobe design, to the landmark music Miami Vice is as entertaining today as it was back then.
Miami Vice
michaelrustage9 September 2010
Miami Vice was a one of a kind show. Famous for it's fashion, music & glamour, it was a cop show like no other. Don Johnson & Philip Michael Thomas fitted the roles well & had a good supporting cast. Seasons 1 & 2 were great. Very fresh & very original. Season 3 however had a slightly different feel to it. The Daytona was replaced by the Testerossa which I personally didn't think was as nice. Crockett looked more of a ponce in this season & also had a hairstyle I didn't think suited him much. Season 3 also started to show some slightly poor episodes, but most were good. Season 4 was different yet again. Crocket's hair was now longer & Tubbs wore an awful beard, making him lose most of his coolness! Even though season 4 had the odd good episode, death & the lady, child's play & blood & roses, most were just absolute nonsense. By the end of season 4 I have to admit I'd gotten rather bored of this show which seemed to have completely lost it's way. However, Miami Vice returned for a 5th, & final, season. Season 5 was different yet again, & I personally think that this season was the best! Crockett was more distant, quiet, & scruffy, which I think suited the character much better. This season had no silly or cheesy stories, it was just great all the way through & seemed to find it's way again. Very different to season 4. I believe if the show had kept that quality it could have ran longer, but sadly it didn't.
Classic stuff...
robbscott-128 March 2019
Been catching the 1st season of this on Starz On Demand recently, and it holds up surprisingly well. Hammer's score, the chemistry between the leads...yeah it's 80s-centric, but so what?
Love the cigarette boat shots in the Calderone episodes, and that fake Ferrari.
Enjoyable nostalgia, with a bit more weight than maybe you remember....
Love the cigarette boat shots in the Calderone episodes, and that fake Ferrari.
Enjoyable nostalgia, with a bit more weight than maybe you remember....
A good TV show is of its time. A great TV show defines it.
gvf31 May 2016
Love it or loathe it, ridicule it, or (like me) be a lifelong fan of "Miami Vice"... this is the show which defined the 80s like few other cultural phenomena of its time.
I am currently in the process of, well, binge-watching as they now call it, the five-season complete box set, from beginning to end. And I have to say that "Vice", even if you've seen practically every episode, is still always a time capsule of the good old days that is without comparison. Even after the tenth time that you've watched certain episodes, even if you've memorized most of the dialogues, you can't escape the pull of Miami Vice. It draws you in, into the world of 80s cool and chic, with all the clothes, cars, music, and (on- and off screen) high rollers of the day.
The 80s never looked this sleek, this glitzy and fancy before, and certainly never again. Many crime dramas and other types of TV fiction in the 80s deserve a rightful place in the chapter of pop culture that was the decade. From Magnum P.I. to the A Team, or even Dallas, even Dynasty by some measure. But none of them quite had what "Miami Vice" so groundbreakingly exploded onto TV screens with when it first aired in 1984. I wasn't even a teenager yet at the time, but I remember from watching the first few episodes (on a black and white 12-inch TV in my bedroom, no less) that this show was just in a class of its own. Even on a dinky black and white screen. Stunning scenery, a style of filming that was just unseen and unheard of on television, and actually, pretty terrific storytelling, although that is often considered a weak point of the show.
What's true enough is that the whole package began to come apart at the seams somewhere midway into season 3. Most TV shows have inevitably, and therefore forgivably used up most of their best story lines after the first few seasons and then gradually just stay in it to milk the franchise that has been created. But Miami Vice, once the greatest thing since color TV, really started taking a nosedive from that point. The gradual departure of the show's original personnel, including most unfortunately Michael Mann, was sorely felt. Initially, the darker, grittier feel of season 3 was not such a bad thing. Even in the absence of all the lightheartedness of seasons one and two, some episodes had quite outstanding story lines and were beautifully shot. And that even though a closed-cabin sports coupé like the Ferrari Testarossa never quite felt right as a replacement for a convertible like the Daytona... in tropical southern Florida.
Missing the point that viewers weren't turning away because of the earth tones used in the visuals of season three but by a deteriorating quality of the aforementioned whole package, season four saw a return to pastels, but a departure from everything else that had made the show such a success. Desperately attempting to regain its former splendor, season five wasn't all that bad, but on the bottom line, it was a different show done by different people. The saddest part was perhaps that production values were visibly cut back. From scrimpingly outfitted action scenes to scenes supposedly shot in third world countries but which just screamed Universal Studios back lot, and for which they didn't even, like before, bother sending a camera crew to some two-shed town in rural Florida anymore. A fate which similarly befell shows like Dallas in their latter years, by the way.
Saying that all this was Dick Wolf's fault for running the show into the ground when he took over creative control of Miami Vice would be looking back in anger. What is sad though is that quite likely, Miami Vice would have just had to stick with its self-invented formula from seasons one and two and could have perpetuated that "package" well into the 1990s, after all a decade during which hedonism and conspicuous and often illicit wealth only just began to go full throttle.
The bitter irony is that a show which had clothes fashion, as well as music, car, lifestyle an even gun and power boat fashions so deeply ingrained in its own DNA ultimately proved to be a fashion fad in and of itself.
Still, if you ask anybody what they remember most vividly about 80s culture, or what their image of 80s culture is, somewhere between the mention of (literally) brick sized cell phones, hedonistic yuppies, shoulder pads and hair metal, the words "Miami Vice" will come up as one of the defining moments of 80s pop culture. And that is something that can never be taken away. Not from the creators of the show, not from its actors, and certainly not from the fans who still worship 80s culture.
I am currently in the process of, well, binge-watching as they now call it, the five-season complete box set, from beginning to end. And I have to say that "Vice", even if you've seen practically every episode, is still always a time capsule of the good old days that is without comparison. Even after the tenth time that you've watched certain episodes, even if you've memorized most of the dialogues, you can't escape the pull of Miami Vice. It draws you in, into the world of 80s cool and chic, with all the clothes, cars, music, and (on- and off screen) high rollers of the day.
The 80s never looked this sleek, this glitzy and fancy before, and certainly never again. Many crime dramas and other types of TV fiction in the 80s deserve a rightful place in the chapter of pop culture that was the decade. From Magnum P.I. to the A Team, or even Dallas, even Dynasty by some measure. But none of them quite had what "Miami Vice" so groundbreakingly exploded onto TV screens with when it first aired in 1984. I wasn't even a teenager yet at the time, but I remember from watching the first few episodes (on a black and white 12-inch TV in my bedroom, no less) that this show was just in a class of its own. Even on a dinky black and white screen. Stunning scenery, a style of filming that was just unseen and unheard of on television, and actually, pretty terrific storytelling, although that is often considered a weak point of the show.
What's true enough is that the whole package began to come apart at the seams somewhere midway into season 3. Most TV shows have inevitably, and therefore forgivably used up most of their best story lines after the first few seasons and then gradually just stay in it to milk the franchise that has been created. But Miami Vice, once the greatest thing since color TV, really started taking a nosedive from that point. The gradual departure of the show's original personnel, including most unfortunately Michael Mann, was sorely felt. Initially, the darker, grittier feel of season 3 was not such a bad thing. Even in the absence of all the lightheartedness of seasons one and two, some episodes had quite outstanding story lines and were beautifully shot. And that even though a closed-cabin sports coupé like the Ferrari Testarossa never quite felt right as a replacement for a convertible like the Daytona... in tropical southern Florida.
Missing the point that viewers weren't turning away because of the earth tones used in the visuals of season three but by a deteriorating quality of the aforementioned whole package, season four saw a return to pastels, but a departure from everything else that had made the show such a success. Desperately attempting to regain its former splendor, season five wasn't all that bad, but on the bottom line, it was a different show done by different people. The saddest part was perhaps that production values were visibly cut back. From scrimpingly outfitted action scenes to scenes supposedly shot in third world countries but which just screamed Universal Studios back lot, and for which they didn't even, like before, bother sending a camera crew to some two-shed town in rural Florida anymore. A fate which similarly befell shows like Dallas in their latter years, by the way.
Saying that all this was Dick Wolf's fault for running the show into the ground when he took over creative control of Miami Vice would be looking back in anger. What is sad though is that quite likely, Miami Vice would have just had to stick with its self-invented formula from seasons one and two and could have perpetuated that "package" well into the 1990s, after all a decade during which hedonism and conspicuous and often illicit wealth only just began to go full throttle.
The bitter irony is that a show which had clothes fashion, as well as music, car, lifestyle an even gun and power boat fashions so deeply ingrained in its own DNA ultimately proved to be a fashion fad in and of itself.
Still, if you ask anybody what they remember most vividly about 80s culture, or what their image of 80s culture is, somewhere between the mention of (literally) brick sized cell phones, hedonistic yuppies, shoulder pads and hair metal, the words "Miami Vice" will come up as one of the defining moments of 80s pop culture. And that is something that can never be taken away. Not from the creators of the show, not from its actors, and certainly not from the fans who still worship 80s culture.
Great show
grantss21 April 2023
James "Sonny" Crockett and Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs are undercover Miami police detectives. Their world is the sordid yet distinctly high-flying and glamourous world of drug dealers. To fit in they need to look at act the part: flashy cars, trendy clothes, glamorous women.
A show that was revolutionary for its time and still holds up incredibly well today. The average cop show until then was a fairly procedural, dour affair. This was totally different: fast cars, trend-setting clothes, beautiful women, great Miami scenery and nightlife, a fantastic soundtrack, gritty yet "cool" plots, expert cinematography.
The whole vibe was fantastic and a breath of fresh air.
A show that was revolutionary for its time and still holds up incredibly well today. The average cop show until then was a fairly procedural, dour affair. This was totally different: fast cars, trend-setting clothes, beautiful women, great Miami scenery and nightlife, a fantastic soundtrack, gritty yet "cool" plots, expert cinematography.
The whole vibe was fantastic and a breath of fresh air.
Put Miami on the Map
view_and_review20 March 2024
I think "Miami Vice" appealed to every male, regardless of age. For those males who were men, it was obvious: beautiful women, fast cars, and action. For boys like me when "Miami Vice" came out it was strictly the cars, boats, and planes. I have no idea, but boys are simply attracted to machines of all kinds--and the shinier the better.
Don't get me wrong, I knew who Crockett and Tubbs (Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas) were. They were the good guys and I was rooting for them. I may have even had a vague understanding of what they were fighting against, but I did know one thing: Crockett drove a badass car. No, the Ferrari wasn't his, but he needed it to look the part if he was going to take down drug dealers. And boy did he look the part.
Don't get me wrong, I knew who Crockett and Tubbs (Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas) were. They were the good guys and I was rooting for them. I may have even had a vague understanding of what they were fighting against, but I did know one thing: Crockett drove a badass car. No, the Ferrari wasn't his, but he needed it to look the part if he was going to take down drug dealers. And boy did he look the part.
Mostly atmospherics of the 80s
sikihac27 January 2024
I watched a few of these and wasn't too impressed. I get that this is mostly about some mythical 80s miami wildcatter drug scene where tons of drugs were dumped on the streets and the modern wave of drugs everywhere was probably in prototype phase for the big time of today by the cartel which includes plenty of banks, pols, celebs and more. I doubt this is anything but a tv show with lots of pure fantasy though, almost pushing the idea that this dope inc industry is glamorous and desirable as they rarely took a hard look at what this level of organized dope inc does to individuals but focused on the luxuries that come from it.
The show is more of like a music video than anything with the 80s music blended in which isn't really something I like. It's like how the movie armageddon was one big music video to hide anything of real substance in the material. Or the music video genre of the 90s and 00s mostly about selling cliches and products. Some of the music was ok but mostly bad stuff that took over and was blaring constantly. The one piece of consistently good music here was the classic opening credits instrumental and imagery.
As to the actual stories they're pretty inane purile stuff with little to no plausibility to it. Somehow wildcatter dealers and pushers seem to be very very bad shots with all sorts of weapons lol while the stars are laser accurate. They also never heard of wounding shots I guess, always in for the kill. And have no problem firing indiscriminently in public and at people running away in the back, very noble. Your typical idiot level bad guys doesn't help. I was embarrased a lot watching this show tbh.
The so called women that were presented as some really hot items were consistently the most nasty looking things. Huge upper bodies no hips manly faces to boot, oof Like a drag queens convention level. The prettiest persons in the show are the two leads by far.
I also wasn't a fan of the politics shown either and the obvious propaganda based show themes in many of them. The so called death camps one was pretty egregious in its fraudulent nature. I thankfully only watched later in the series like some seasons 3 and 5 where the kinks of the formula were worked out and the characters were grown into their roles.
The idea of vice undercover is of course nonsense. The idea that operatives need to essentially cooperate in criminal activity in order to bring it down just reeks of double think. If you're helping crime you're a criminal but somehow the police get away with it. Thankfully police don't do that the vast majority of the time as who has the resources to even have dedicated undercovers, they'd be used better being a part of and in the community. We only ever got some clown informers side characters that were just an extension of the show. This was a major point of the Wire which is better but just as fantasy based in most aspects.
So apart from the flash and mythical 80s Miami wildcatter drug scene there's not too much here that recommends watching. Similar to the video game Vice City which took so much inspiration from this, it's mostly the music and ambiance that people are attracted to which overlooks the innate inanity and just thin ness of it. Like some passing shiny thing which fades quickly.
I suppose if you're doing a film studies paper on it it would be worthwhile but otherwise hard pass on this.
The show is more of like a music video than anything with the 80s music blended in which isn't really something I like. It's like how the movie armageddon was one big music video to hide anything of real substance in the material. Or the music video genre of the 90s and 00s mostly about selling cliches and products. Some of the music was ok but mostly bad stuff that took over and was blaring constantly. The one piece of consistently good music here was the classic opening credits instrumental and imagery.
As to the actual stories they're pretty inane purile stuff with little to no plausibility to it. Somehow wildcatter dealers and pushers seem to be very very bad shots with all sorts of weapons lol while the stars are laser accurate. They also never heard of wounding shots I guess, always in for the kill. And have no problem firing indiscriminently in public and at people running away in the back, very noble. Your typical idiot level bad guys doesn't help. I was embarrased a lot watching this show tbh.
The so called women that were presented as some really hot items were consistently the most nasty looking things. Huge upper bodies no hips manly faces to boot, oof Like a drag queens convention level. The prettiest persons in the show are the two leads by far.
I also wasn't a fan of the politics shown either and the obvious propaganda based show themes in many of them. The so called death camps one was pretty egregious in its fraudulent nature. I thankfully only watched later in the series like some seasons 3 and 5 where the kinks of the formula were worked out and the characters were grown into their roles.
The idea of vice undercover is of course nonsense. The idea that operatives need to essentially cooperate in criminal activity in order to bring it down just reeks of double think. If you're helping crime you're a criminal but somehow the police get away with it. Thankfully police don't do that the vast majority of the time as who has the resources to even have dedicated undercovers, they'd be used better being a part of and in the community. We only ever got some clown informers side characters that were just an extension of the show. This was a major point of the Wire which is better but just as fantasy based in most aspects.
So apart from the flash and mythical 80s Miami wildcatter drug scene there's not too much here that recommends watching. Similar to the video game Vice City which took so much inspiration from this, it's mostly the music and ambiance that people are attracted to which overlooks the innate inanity and just thin ness of it. Like some passing shiny thing which fades quickly.
I suppose if you're doing a film studies paper on it it would be worthwhile but otherwise hard pass on this.
If only I was born 20 years earlier!
Panzer_Attack28 August 2006
I'd give up everything right now to live through the days this programme was on! There's only one thing wrong with the show that lets it down... and that's the pastel days went :( It's an excellent show, great music great scenes, ÜBER sexy locations... If only I was back then. I'd have had to be in there cast somewhere... YEAH, I WISH! I've got Series 1&2 on DVD, and it's only come out of my DVD player once. and that was because I got the Mighty Boosh!
I do recommend everyone who likes this show (and who doesn't?) - to get a copy of GTA: Vice City! - It's so the closest you'll ever get to driving around on South Beach in the 1980's!
Hell, even the cops who come on 3 stars are "Vice" cops and clearly modelled on Crockett and Tubbs, and Tubbs even voices Lance Vance.
I do recommend everyone who likes this show (and who doesn't?) - to get a copy of GTA: Vice City! - It's so the closest you'll ever get to driving around on South Beach in the 1980's!
Hell, even the cops who come on 3 stars are "Vice" cops and clearly modelled on Crockett and Tubbs, and Tubbs even voices Lance Vance.
This vice should be busted
videorama-759-8593912 September 2020
One sure as s**t fact about this show. The dazzling sequence of shots: pink flamingos. babe's buns, etc, played against a kick arse instrumental by Jan Hammer, in the opening credit sequence is way better than anything that follows.
Style, no substance. It has lazy, unbelievable, and I have to say weak, story lines, that provide so many pathetic and laughable moments, and this show has been nominated or won awards? I can't believe Mann, who went onto make great movies, was responsible for this. Near the end of 86', there was an Aussie tele movie, reminiscent of this, called Sharks Paradise, which had better input, and sadly didn't go on to be a series, but that was better than this. So was Don Johnson's song from that year, Heartbeat, which I loved. The reviewers giving this 8 or above must be on cocaine themselves. Many guest actors, some of them, a surprised entrance to us audience, out play then hunky Johnson and Thomas. Edward James Olmos, I really appreciate in this as their commanding officer, while Crocket and Thomas's offsiders (Talbott and Diehl who are really like) provided the lighter more comical side, especially Diehl. It's such a blessing when a random instrumental plays over the ocassional scenes per episode. Miami doggie do do. Get a head check.
Deserving Of It's Legendary Status
KathyAndPaul5 December 2003
Ah. This brings back memories.
One of the seminal TV shows of the 80's it is sadly remembered more for it's style, music and fashion content than anything else. Which is unfair as it was also brilliantly acted. Then there is the scream of it's being "unrealistic" due to the fact the cops are wearing armani designer lables and driving a ferrari...WHOLY wrong. The characters are supposed to be undercover cops posing as drug dealer playboys. To have them driving a ford and wearing second hand costumes and cop uniforms would be unrealistic as drug dealers tend be very stylish and showing off thier wealth like a peacok. Urgo the Organised Crime Buerau Vice unit have to fit in. Ussually well written (irellevant of if or not it's the first two seasons gritty realism or the remaining three seasons which were more formulaic).
Season One started off with a pilot that is extrememly lame. And indeed while enjoyable the earlier episodes which followed weren't up to much either. But then along with the (shock) death a lead character early in the season and a new theme tune the show found it's foot. Thanks to the American viewing public for sticking by the show in it's developmental stage. Once Season 1 gets going properly it's a rollercoaster ride of spills and thrills which looked flashy and also delivered plot and characters that kept your attention. Best Episdoe: "Hit List" (aka: Caulderone's Return Part 1). Worst Episode: "Give A Little Take A Little".
Season 2 is more of the same really. Characters are developed more but the plotlines and style remain the same. Best Episode: "Definitley Miami". Worst Episode: "Tale Of The Goat".
Season 3 Shows an definite change of tact for the show. But it works incredibly well and is IMHO the best of the lot. The actors have grown into their characters by this point and can make them totally convincing and sympathetic. The voilence is as action packed and sizling as ever. And the look on Don Johnson's face when his ferrari Daytona gets destroyed is an amazingly comical moment. Best Episode: Too may to choose from really but Johnson's sanity slipping on a case in "Shadows In The Dark" is amazing stuff up there with Pacino and DeNiro in the acting stakes "Forgive Us Our Debts" comes a very close second. Worst Episode: "Viking Bikers From Hell".
Season 4 is the least of the bunch. The stories try to return to a more realistic style but fail totally in their delivery. There are a few good moments but for the most part the stories get very boring. Also someone had the bright idea to cancel Miami Vice and slip a new show called "The Adventures Of Sonny Crockett" on in it's place. In this new show where Crockett and Tubbs were equal partners in the show and the rest of the OCB crew were FAR more than extras who had plenty to bring to the table. in this season we're greeted to a show where Tubbs is reduced to nothing more than a sidekick and the rest of the the OCB are also rans with the exception of some very poor filler episodes. Best Episode: "Mirror Image". Worst Episode: Too many to choose from but "Death And The Lady" is the lowest of the low with only a memorable guest appearence by Paul Guifoyle (sp?) Better known nowadays as Brass in C.S.I. playing a seriously weird villian.
Season 5 is my second fave season after Year 3. Everyone is back on a level playing field again as "The Adventures Of Sonny Crockett" are canned after one season and Miami Vice returns. Jan Hammer takes his music with him to pastures new but Tim Truman arrives with some amazing and atmospheric work for the season that I personally consider to be the best of the bunch when it comes to the music. The realism is out the window with the producers realising that the previous years "high drama" approach had been a complete failure it was time to make sure the final year was a hard hitting full on gunfest. There are OCCASIONAL breaks from this with a couple of comedy episodes "The Lost Maddonna" works brilliantly with Micheal Chiles -I THINK that's his name- from The Shield playing a New York art detective in a genuinley amusing episode. However "Miracle Man" is dire beyond words and is actually painfull to watch making it the worst MV episode. There is some effective character work in there too and the plots while aiming towards a big finish still come across well. The first episode resumes where Season 4 finished with Crockett suffering amnesia believing he really IS a drug dealer and putting on a brilliant "villian" performance. The cliff hanger ending ot the season opener is IMHO the BEST TV cliffhanger ever shown with Crockett (still on planet memory loss) and Tubbs going at it. The story arc is resolved in the seasons best offering "Redemption In Blood". The rest of the season focuses on the other members of the OCB and makes it obvious Crockett is burned out with it only being a matter of time before he either quits the Police Force or gets himself killed. Thankfully the show saw sense to finish while it was ahead and while the final story "Freefall" does not have a great plot the story OOZES in atmosphere and has a sense of farewell to it that is brilliantly realised in the final scene where Crockett and Tubbs bid each other farewell. Best Episode: "Redemption In Blood". Worst Episode: "Miracle Man".
Maybe one day people will remember the show for the reasons it deserves more than the style and the music. I can but hope.
One of the seminal TV shows of the 80's it is sadly remembered more for it's style, music and fashion content than anything else. Which is unfair as it was also brilliantly acted. Then there is the scream of it's being "unrealistic" due to the fact the cops are wearing armani designer lables and driving a ferrari...WHOLY wrong. The characters are supposed to be undercover cops posing as drug dealer playboys. To have them driving a ford and wearing second hand costumes and cop uniforms would be unrealistic as drug dealers tend be very stylish and showing off thier wealth like a peacok. Urgo the Organised Crime Buerau Vice unit have to fit in. Ussually well written (irellevant of if or not it's the first two seasons gritty realism or the remaining three seasons which were more formulaic).
Season One started off with a pilot that is extrememly lame. And indeed while enjoyable the earlier episodes which followed weren't up to much either. But then along with the (shock) death a lead character early in the season and a new theme tune the show found it's foot. Thanks to the American viewing public for sticking by the show in it's developmental stage. Once Season 1 gets going properly it's a rollercoaster ride of spills and thrills which looked flashy and also delivered plot and characters that kept your attention. Best Episdoe: "Hit List" (aka: Caulderone's Return Part 1). Worst Episode: "Give A Little Take A Little".
Season 2 is more of the same really. Characters are developed more but the plotlines and style remain the same. Best Episode: "Definitley Miami". Worst Episode: "Tale Of The Goat".
Season 3 Shows an definite change of tact for the show. But it works incredibly well and is IMHO the best of the lot. The actors have grown into their characters by this point and can make them totally convincing and sympathetic. The voilence is as action packed and sizling as ever. And the look on Don Johnson's face when his ferrari Daytona gets destroyed is an amazingly comical moment. Best Episode: Too may to choose from really but Johnson's sanity slipping on a case in "Shadows In The Dark" is amazing stuff up there with Pacino and DeNiro in the acting stakes "Forgive Us Our Debts" comes a very close second. Worst Episode: "Viking Bikers From Hell".
Season 4 is the least of the bunch. The stories try to return to a more realistic style but fail totally in their delivery. There are a few good moments but for the most part the stories get very boring. Also someone had the bright idea to cancel Miami Vice and slip a new show called "The Adventures Of Sonny Crockett" on in it's place. In this new show where Crockett and Tubbs were equal partners in the show and the rest of the OCB crew were FAR more than extras who had plenty to bring to the table. in this season we're greeted to a show where Tubbs is reduced to nothing more than a sidekick and the rest of the the OCB are also rans with the exception of some very poor filler episodes. Best Episode: "Mirror Image". Worst Episode: Too many to choose from but "Death And The Lady" is the lowest of the low with only a memorable guest appearence by Paul Guifoyle (sp?) Better known nowadays as Brass in C.S.I. playing a seriously weird villian.
Season 5 is my second fave season after Year 3. Everyone is back on a level playing field again as "The Adventures Of Sonny Crockett" are canned after one season and Miami Vice returns. Jan Hammer takes his music with him to pastures new but Tim Truman arrives with some amazing and atmospheric work for the season that I personally consider to be the best of the bunch when it comes to the music. The realism is out the window with the producers realising that the previous years "high drama" approach had been a complete failure it was time to make sure the final year was a hard hitting full on gunfest. There are OCCASIONAL breaks from this with a couple of comedy episodes "The Lost Maddonna" works brilliantly with Micheal Chiles -I THINK that's his name- from The Shield playing a New York art detective in a genuinley amusing episode. However "Miracle Man" is dire beyond words and is actually painfull to watch making it the worst MV episode. There is some effective character work in there too and the plots while aiming towards a big finish still come across well. The first episode resumes where Season 4 finished with Crockett suffering amnesia believing he really IS a drug dealer and putting on a brilliant "villian" performance. The cliff hanger ending ot the season opener is IMHO the BEST TV cliffhanger ever shown with Crockett (still on planet memory loss) and Tubbs going at it. The story arc is resolved in the seasons best offering "Redemption In Blood". The rest of the season focuses on the other members of the OCB and makes it obvious Crockett is burned out with it only being a matter of time before he either quits the Police Force or gets himself killed. Thankfully the show saw sense to finish while it was ahead and while the final story "Freefall" does not have a great plot the story OOZES in atmosphere and has a sense of farewell to it that is brilliantly realised in the final scene where Crockett and Tubbs bid each other farewell. Best Episode: "Redemption In Blood". Worst Episode: "Miracle Man".
Maybe one day people will remember the show for the reasons it deserves more than the style and the music. I can but hope.
Miami Vice trend setter of the 1980's
ellenaeddieellena27 June 2023
I would have given Miami Vice a 10 rating if there weren't a handful of dud episodes. It was usually quite an unpredictable storyline so it kept you interested. The style was very upmarket 80's & set a lot of trends. The writers & producers of the show took risks which generally came off. Occassionally they got it wrong & maybe a little unrealistic but generally they got it right & when they did there was many outstanding episodes that put modern shows to shame. I actually think the show was ahead of it's time with the story lines & political corruption that as a teenager I didn't fully understand then but now as an adult looking back I say yes that's how the system does work. Many guest actors/actresses became household names. You sort have to watch the show from the start of the series to understand it fully as many episodes intertwine with previous episodes & characters. To a younger person who is interested in the 1980's culture & wants to watch something a bit different I think you'll like it.
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