Miami Vice: Season Two
Starring: Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, Edward James Olmos, Olivia Brown, Saundra Santiago, John Diehl, Michael Talbott, Pam Grier, Charles S. Dutton, Luis Guzman, Gene Simmons, David Strathairn, James Remar, Dean Stockwell, Peter Sellars
Directed by: Various

Miami Vice: Season Two Reviewed by Paul Heath

After viewing the 18 or so hours of the second series of MIAMI VICE, I sit here asking myself why I like it so much. Is the setting? The hotter than hot shores of Miami? The coolness of Sonny Crockett? His pet alligator Elvis? The music? The star cameos? The cool cars? The ladies? The dodgy eighties clothing? Well, of course the answer is....all of the above.

I didn't get a chance to see Miami Vice when it initially aired back in the eighties. I was way too young for all that, and these episodes went out in the latter part of 1985.

Here's a brief rundown of the plot. New York cop Rico Tubbs (Phillip Michael Thomas) and Miami copper Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson), who just so happens to live on a boat with his pet alligator Elvis, join forces to crack to deal with the criminals, drug dealers and lowlifes of the cities underworld. The series was devised by Michael 'Heat' Mann, and this particular series features guest directors like Paul Michael Glaser (who was the original Starsky in Starsky and Hutch), and Abel Ferrara (The Bad Lieutenant).

So really, what makes it all so darn good, and why did it strike a cord with fans of that particular time, and even today (a new film version with Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx in production with Mann at the helm). Well, the music in the series really catches the time, with tracks from the likes of Phil Collins, Kate Bush and Jan Hammer (who provides the stunning theme tune). Then there are the cool clothes, and Crockett's wardrobe is particularly attractive. Who can forget those white suits with the pink shirt underneath, and those fetching loafers. Nice. Because the eighties scene has come back over the last few years, this look, for me is very appealing, so don't be surprised if you catch me at the next fancy-dress get together looking like Sonny! So cool. Hey, I already own the pink shirts. Cheese is good people. There are also some pretty cool camera moves, particularly in the New York scenes in the first episode. More about that in a second.

So, here we are into the second series, and the show has been established as a success. Both Phillip Michael Thomas and Don Johnson appear very comfortable in their respective roles of Tubbs and Crockett, and both, particularly Johnson are a joy to watch in every scene. I particularly loved the first, feature length episode on the disc, where the duo escape Miami for the Big Apple, and a later episode, entitled 'Buddies', which featured James Remar, who went on to star in "Sex and the City" as one of sexpot Samantha Jones's many male interests. The episode shows the softer side of Crockett, who has to work with nightclub owner Robbie Cann (Remar), his best friend from their Army days, who is accused of a mob dealing where a price has ben put on a young mother's head. This episode is so reminiscent of those eighties 'cop' shows, and even some movies of the day. A real joy to watch, as are a number of the other episodes on the discs.

On the downside, well, some episodes don't reach the heights and quality of some of the others, and this series is without the stunning white Ferrari Testerossa that Crockett gets in the third series. But, hey he still has a Ferrari, and it still looks good.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. The high price tag will no doubt put a few people off, especially as there are no extras, but the episodes are split over eight discs and last for just over 18 hours in total. The music has also been totally remixed in Dolby 5.1 surround, so the audio quality is excellent. The picture quality isn't quite as good, but the colours of the vibrant city of Miami are well represented across the release, but could have been touched up a little, considering the effort that was put in to the audio reproduction. Again, such a minor problem against an otherwise superb release from Universal.

So there you have it. Die hard Vicers must own this, and newcomers should also give Miami Vice: Season Two a look as the series is of such high-quality. A little disappointing at the lack of extras, but this release should gear you up for that Michael Mann big screen remake that comes out in the summer.

Grade: B+