I've heard and seen some negative comments already that Michael Mann expects us to know the lingo employed by the feds & drug dealers, and that he assumes we know enough about these characters' background so we need no further set-up for the film. It seems to me that in order for the film to be the gritty, realistic portrayal of the drug trade that it purports to be, these things cannot be detailed further than they are without adding an air of "Hollywood movie" to the film. Mann's deliberate omissions make the film much better and far more believable than the typical shoot-em-up cops movie.
Though the film starts a bit awkwardly and is slightly disjointed in its move from one scene to the next, it's an enjoyable excursion to the theater in summer, which is honestly what we should expect from it rather than hoping it's schmaltzy 80s TV moved to the big screen. Both Farrell (who honestly deserved top billing) and Foxx give fine performances.
Though the film starts a bit awkwardly and is slightly disjointed in its move from one scene to the next, it's an enjoyable excursion to the theater in summer, which is honestly what we should expect from it rather than hoping it's schmaltzy 80s TV moved to the big screen. Both Farrell (who honestly deserved top billing) and Foxx give fine performances.