Customer Reviews

Miami Vice [VHS]

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though it has a great storyline and a very efficient sense of dramatic motion, this first episode still coudn't show everything this series could do or would turn to be. That is, of course, understandable, nobody knows at this point who were James Sonny Crockett or Ricardo Tubbs, those characters would naturally have a deeper approach later. Lieutenant Castillo (Edward James Olmos) was yet to come. It is nice to see Jan Hammer's Miami Vice theme still without the guitar melody and extended a bit. Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" is one of the highest tension points during the movie, which has Hammer's "Chase" and "Flashback", too. I can't believe that there are only two episodes available, there are so many other important moments of the series (the coming of the new Ferrari, the death of Zito, the second marriage of Sonny Crockett and etc). At first, other 2 hour lenght (or double episodes) could be released, like "Hit List", "Golden triangle", "Down for the Count", "Hostile Takeover", "Freefall". After that the entire collection should be released. We are talking about an artistic production famous by its development of a new narrative language (having the influence of videoclip and making influence in it too), very original and sophisticated visual textures. And of course, the famous guest stars. I'm sure a lot of people would like to see again the appearances of James Brown, Ted Nugent, Charlie Barnett, Phil Collins, Gordon Liddy, Jan Hammer and SO MANY OTHERS. What is MCA waiting for?

If these can't be released in video, then Miami Vice is suffering a great injustice. These 2 episodes were the BEST of the entire series: "Smuggler's Blues" - great Glen Frey audio when the plane is on the deserted runway. "Brothers in Arms" - breaking through the sheetrock wall & the phrase "book him" when the corpse was unveiled..."but he was my partner...". Please make all of Miami Vice available to purchase on video. There are a lot of die-hards out here who would purchase. Though a cable channel is now showing re-runs, I would prefer to buy clear videos, without commercials. PLEASE!!!

"Miami Vice" was sold by creator Michael Mann to NBC as "MTV Cops," and this police drama more than lived up to that label juxtaposing the glamorous resort city of Miami with the seamy haunts of the drug underworld. In this pilot movie, which first aired on September 16, 1964, our two heroes meet for the first time. Detective James "Sonny" Crockett (Don Johnson) was a vice detective who lived on his sailboat St. Vitus' Dance with his pet alligator Elvis. Richard Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) was an ex-New York street cop who came to Miami to hunt down the drug dealer who murdered his brother. This first case not only brought Crockett and Tubbs together, it made them partners.

The MTV influences were obvious from this first episode: as Sonny drives around the streets of Miami at night, pondering why his marriage to his estranged wife, Caroline (Belinda Montgomery) is dead, the show makes effective use of Phil Collin's "In the Air Tonight" in what is essentially a music video. Jan Hammer's driving theme song and evocative soundtrack became as much a part of the show as the actors and the location. The show made Don Johnson a sex symbol with his expensive pastel sports jackets worn over a t-shirt, no socks and a stubbly beard--what became known as the macho/grubby look. However, when we look back at the show today what really stands out is its introduction fo Edward James Olmos as Lt. Martin Castillo, the head of the Vice unit (when was the last time you same Thomas in anything?). Olmos is not in the pilot, but Jimmy Smits is as Crockett's original partner, who ends up getting killed, setting the stage for Tubbs being the new partner. As for Mann, he was able to bring his unique sense of style to several successful theatrical films, most notably "The Last of the Mohicans."

Looking back, "Miami Vice" is one of the more significant shows of the 1980's simply for the way in which it made contemporary rock music an integral part of television drama. Every time you catch a hit song on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" or "Dawson's Creek," it is all because of what happened on "Miami Vice." Note that Sonny tools around Miami in a black Ferrari Spider sports car, which was later traded in for an even snazzier Ferrari Testarossa after the original car was blown up (accidentally) at the beginning of the third season.

I just don't understand why they have made this great series so hard to obtain. Only 2 episodes were issued on VHS, and nothing on DVD. There has to be more to this... Please someone out there with some pull, release the entire series on DVD. A collector's series would sell great. Such fond memories of this show.

Release the entire series on box set DVDs (One season per box set) and I'll buy every one. For me, It's all or nothing. This is hopefully going to be the new trend. The X-files has already released season one and two, and so have a couple of others. So, come on, there are a lot of us out here.

Okay, I know this is not a review, but you got to get the ball rolling somehow...

This has to be one of the best programs of the 80's in fact ever.
Never has a show created such an impression on me like this show
did and i probabley won't ever find it again. Because Miami Vice
was a show that was great for it's time and is still way ahead
of our time went it comes to great storylines, music fashion,
cars anything you can think of this show showcased it long before
it became popular. The teaming of Sonny Crockett a wise mouth
seasoned vice cop who lives with his pet aligator Elvis and the
Cool Well dressed Ladykiller Cop from New York Ricardo Tubbs was
well done in contrast and style and as the series went on you never get tired of the show and it's chracters because it always kept you going in non stop excitement with great scripts, great villians and actual beautiful Miami Florida Scenery. I wished they would release the series on video and see just how many die hard fans would pick it up that it would be instantly declared cult status. I love this show!!!! At one time i wanted to be like
Don Johnson because i thought he was what i emvisioned coolness
was a nice sportscar, beautiful women and a fanatastic wardrobe.

Ten Best Miami Vice Epidsodes
10. "Lombard"
9. "The Fix"
8. "Smugglers Blues"
7. "Shadow In The Dark"
6. "The Great Mcarthey"
5. "Calderone's Return" Part 1
4 "Calderone's Return" Part 2
3. "No Exit"
2. "Amen Send Money"
1. "Definately Miami"

Miami Vice is one my favorite TV shows of all time. I lived in
South Florida when the show taped. It was cool. The absolute best 80's music! Not only do I wish there would be a DVD collectors' edition, but WHERE'S THE REUNION SHOW?!

I just got done with watching Miami Vice and it took me back to the '80's again, when everything was all good. "The Decade Of Excess", or as it is now so known so affectionately, brought back the old memories. Cool cars (Ferraris) and even cooler clothes then ( hot pink blazers) were of the day. Miami is a much different city now than it shows on here, but if you want to know what Vice was all about, this is the video to get!

I have been patiently awaiting the complete TV series of Miami Vice to be released on DVD. Canada already has the series. What is the problem in the US?

There are many people in this country waiting for this series, so lets get with the program please and release a DVD series compatible with the US equipment.

Miami Vice was one of the best TV series ever produced. Anyone that loves mystery, drama and action motives, will become addicted to this series. Thank you.

A complete 180 from their dramatic style. The two stars take a back seat to Iggy and Nuggy, the two that usually just provide comic relief. They`re the stars in this one and I`d would really like to view it again if anyone has a copy. It left such an impression that I even remembered the title.