20 Things You Didn't Know About Heat
1. It Had An Unexpected Influence On Blockbuster Movies Years Later
Though Heat was released back in 1995, it ended up having a tremendous influence on blockbuster filmmaking almost 15 years later, the impact of which is still felt today.
Christopher Nolan had no qualms about admitting that his 2008 masterpiece The Dark Knight was heavily inspired by the style and tone of Heat, perhaps best realised by The Joker's (Heath Ledger) instigating heist sequence - not to forget the knowing casting of Heat actor William Fichtner as the bank's manager.
Critics commended the film's ability to operate convincingly as a gritty, "realistic" thriller on the level of Heat despite its obvious superhero trappings, ushering in an era of blockbuster movies which attempted to replicate its grittier approach to tentpole thrills.
In addition to Nolan's own penchant for practical-minded blockbuster action, the more recent Sam Mendes-directed Bond films opted for a more on-the-level filmmaking style, as well as the Matt Reeves-directed Planet of the Apes films, despite their reliance on stunning visual effects.
While Mann can't be solely credited with the success of these more measured blockbuster films, he absolutely deserves credit for lighting the spark.