Public Enemies: In Theaters 7.1.2009

"Public Enemies" is a crime drama based on the life and career of famous bank robber John Dillinger. The film was written and directed by "Heat" and "Collateral" director Michael Mann and stars Johnny Depp as Dillinger. The film follows Dillinger's rise and the manhunt that ensues led by FBI agent Melvin Purvis and FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. The movie's cast is simply spectacular because besides Depp, the film also stars Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Stephen Dorff, Giovanni Ribisi, Channing Tatum, and Billy Crudup. The are also many unknown actors in significant supporting roles like Jason Clarke, Stephen Graham, and Stephen Lang. The acting in this movie is best I've seen in a long time. The problem with "Public Enemies" is this, there were may missed opportunities like not showing Dillinger in his first prison term and it would of been neat to see how he made his fake gun which help him escape from his second prison term. When it comes to Michael Mann's work he didn't bring his best stuff, not as good as his A of a movie in "Heat", but not as bad as his D in "Miami Vice". I would rate Mann's directing at a B-. All in all I still enjoyed this film and I do recommend it, especially for those new the Dillinger story. "Public Enemies" receives 3 1/2 wheelchairs out of 5.