An outstanding tv series, don't miss the pilot episode! The TV series "Miami Vice" stars Don Johnson as Vice Detective James 'Sonny' Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo 'Rico' Tubbs, an ex-New York street cop who after the first episode becomes Sonny's partner. A police drama which aired for five seasons, the hit TV series was first aired in September, 1985 until the series ended in July, 1989. Other regular cast members included: Lt. Martin Castillo (Edward James Olmos), Det. Gina Navarro Calabrese (Saundra Santiago), Det. Trudy Joplin (Olivia Brown), Det. Stanley 'Stan' Switek (Micahel Tolbott), and Det. Lawrence 'Larry' Zito (John Diehl, but only for the first three seasons).
Episode #1 & #2 "Brother's Keeper": In the pilot two-parter episode (original working title "Dade County Fast Lane"), Sonny reluctantly teams up with New Yorker Rico to solve several murders connected to a mysterious Colombian drug lord named Calderone (Miguel Pinero). But Sonny feels that Rico is not really being honest and that the New Yorker has his own agenda. Will they be able to work together to bring the drug lord to justice?
Being the pilot of the series, the episode really sets the stage for the entire series, most importantly the first meeting between future partners Sonny and Rico. A good start to a fantastic series, "Brother's Keeper" has it all. Here is a list of what to expect in the series and how this episode showcases each merit:
Acting: What can I say, "Miami Vice" boasts star power, most prominently Johnson and Thomas as the main characters. Both are talented, conveying both their professional and relaxed sides with ease. Johnson's best scenes are easily when he's with his son, Billy, in part 1 and when he confronts a 'mole' in the police department. Rico's best scene is when he catches up with Calderone. Saundra Santiago as Gina also has a great moment when she finds the rose Sonny left for her.
Action: Expect plenty of action in "Miami Vice", action and excitement. Besides the dramatic elements of this police drama, there is plenty of action to keep you on the edge of your seat. Best action and most tense sequence of this episode is easily the last showdown against Calderone. Well done!
Boats/Cars/Chases: "Miami Vice" has plenty of nice 'hardware', that's for certain! The show became a 'cult program' for car lovers, especially because of Sonny Crockett's car. His original car was the Daytona Spyder, or rather, a look-alike Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder (in other words, it was really a Corvette). Later on the series, Ferrari was so upset about the series using a 'fake' Ferrari (because the 'fake' Ferrari was getting so much attention) that they gave the show a new car for Crockett to drive around in; a Ferrari Testarossa. Crockett also owns two boats, the "St. Vitus' Dance" where he lives and a Chris Craft Stinger. Best chase is when Rico 'borrows' Crockett's boat.
Cinematography: Fantastic cinematography, some of the best I've ever seen in any TV series. Nice camera work especially on moving cars like in the car chases. Action sequences are filmed well, as are the 'MTV' moments.
Drama: Besides excitement, expect some 'shockers' or moments where you feel the tears forming in your eyes. Plenty of touching moments in this episode, though cannot reveal what they are or it'll spoil the episode.
Humor: Mostly a drama, "Miami Vice" still has plenty of humorous moments. Classic funny scenes in this episode which are my favorites are: 1) when Sonny introduces Rico to 'Elvis', 2) when there's a temporary blackout at the courtroom, and 3) when Sonny vents out his anger because a bust he's been working on for two weeks goes down the drain.
Music: "Miami Vice" most certainly truly began the idea of integrating short 'music video clips' into a TV series. Scattered throughout the show are hit songs and songs which eventually became hits through the show. Jan Hammer composed the soundtrack for the film, including the famous theme song for "Miami Vice". The pilot includes these songs: *Miss You ~ Rolling Stones* - played from the boombox at the beginning *Body Talk ~ The Deele* - played in the New York club *Somebody's Watching Me ~ Rockwell* - played at a Miami strip club *Girls Just Wanna Have Fun ~ Cyndi Lauper* - played on the Miami beach *All Night Long ~ Lionel Richie* - performed by a band in a restaurant *In the Air Tonight ~ Phil Collins* - played as Crockett & Tubbs drive to a bust (perhaps one of the most famous song in the entire show)
Star Power: All right, I admit, the main reason I'm watching the series is because of Don Johnson. But honestly ladies, after seeing him in "Miami Vice", how can you resist? At the time, Don Johnson easily through this series became a sex symbol with his expensive sports jackets (usually white with matching white trousers) worn over a simple t-shirt, no socks (it's true!), and unshaven appearance. A must watch show for Don Johnson fans because besides his great looks, he is also a great actor.
To sum up, "Miami Vice" has it all. Has been nominated for and won several Emmys and Golden Globe awards, most noticeably winning a 'Best Actor in a Drama TV Series Award' for Don Johnson. Great acting from great actors, fantastic music, lots of drama with a nice dash of humor, nice cinematography, gripping action, and to top it off, hot cars. Don't pass this show up, especially the TV series pilot, still one of my favorites. My only complaint (as many others have voiced... when's the DVD coming out?
*Message to Parents* ~ Since this is a TV series and does not necessarily have a rating, I will take the liberty of putting my own rating on. I would say "Miami Vice" safely deserves a PG-13. In other words: definitely not for kids or young teenagers and needs parental guidance. This is mostly because of the overall theme of "Miami Vice". Dealing with drugs, prostitution, gambling, money laundering, and several other mature themes, kids should be well kept away since first of all, they won't have a clue what is going on. They won't enjoy what they don't understand. And while it being a TV show means there is much they cannot show, there is indeed much they can very easily 'insinuate". Sonny and Rico are both notorious womanizers... you guess the rest. Also, there is a small amount of swearing. Parents and older teen should enjoy the series.
We need more miami vice episodes available for purchase I am a Canadian who is interested in purchasing "Miami Vice" episodes. I know that series like "The Simpsons" and "King of the Hill" are available for purchase. So far, I own a few of series and I enjoy them immensely. Today's reality programming does nothing for me, so if I feel like watching something, I often have to turn to my own DVD's and Videos. I currently watch programs like "C.S.I.", "Less Than Perfect", "The Simpsons", "King of the Hill" and "Joan of Arcadia". (I was becoming interested in Miss Match with Alicia Silverstone, but it has been slipping.) I look forward to the day when Miami Vice episodes are also released. One of the reasons is that I am fascinated by the evolution in the work of Michael Mann over the years - he is some kind of genius!
Miami Vice Series 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 One of a kind Gem 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"
Michael Mann creates a couple of MTV Cops for NBC "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.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
