A Detailed Analysis of Micheal Mann's 1995 "Heat" Shootout

As a director, Michael Mann adopts an extremely formal approach to camerawork, creating scenes with a clear sense of place and kinetic motion. The famous heist scene in his classic 1995 film "Heat" is representative of his formalist and controlled style. In this scene, he depicts a bank robbery gone totally off the rails, where the robbers have an epic shootout with the cops on the street of LA in broad daylight. Although this scene contains a huge amount of chaotic action, Mann's tight camerawork controls the flow of movement, giving it a sense of fluidity that mirrors the professionalism and steely calm of both the criminals and the police trying to stop them.    


Establishing Shot

This shot establishes the setting of where the heist will take place as Neil McCauley (Robert DeNiro) makes his way into the bank in order to initiate the plan. This shot creates tension by underscoring the inclosed space for the characters and gives the audience a sense of layout. The audience are able to anticipate what happens next...

Bird’s Eye View Shot

This shot creates a sense of foreboding and we are able to track Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer) as he moves through the bank. The audience is given an omniscient perspective of the robbery, and the intricate series of moves of the carefully-planned heist. 

Worm’s Eye Shot

This shout establishes the beginning of the journey of the money with McCauley’s (DeNiro’s) team through the streets. From this shot onwards the camera primarily follows the three bags of money even after the team split up. The audience is given an “In your face feel” as the money slides towards the camera.

Two-Shot

Michael Mann utilized this two shot to show McCauley and Shihirles (DeNiro and Kilmer) calmly making their way out of the bank with the money as they make for the getaway car. This shot serves to isolate the two robbers from everyone else and continues to follow the three bags of money.

POV Shot

This shot is from the point of one of the robbers in the back seat, presumably Michael Cheritto (Tom Sizemore) witnessing the driver getting shot through the windshield. This was done to give the audience a sense of urgency, putting them in the front row seat for a special occasion, being one of the character’s deaths. Interestingly, this scene could also be foreshadowing Cheritto’s death.

Over-The-Shoulder Shot

This shot puts the audience in the perspective of Shiherlis (Kilmer) as he is fending off the police and providing cover fire for his fellow teammates to escape with the money. This shot further engages the audience with the Shiherlis as we follow his actions and stay weary as he could get hit any moment.

Low Angle Shot

The low angle shot is used here to show McCauley (DeNiro) desperately hurrying to help up his partner and friend Shiherlis (Kilmer) from a gunshot wound. This was done on purpose to show McCauley has power over Shiherlis in this certain situation but also figuratively establishes his powerful position as team leader and that is made clear by Mann using the camera to compare him to the height of the building behind.

Closeup Shot

This final shot from the last few seconds of the scene depicts Lieutenant Vincent Hanna’s (Al Pacino) reaction and thoughts after successfully saving the young girl from Cheritto (Sizemore) and gunning him down. The camera is closed up for the audience to be able to see Hanna’s facial expression after delivering the final blow.