I've seen both L.A. Takedown and Heat, in fact have copies in
my video library. for my money, Scott Plank's performance is
superior to Pacino's scenery chewing in the same role.
opening armored car heist in former is equal to more
expensive version in latter. main differences in storyline
are: expanded personal story subplots (similar to what
happens in crime novels these days) with Pacino and Kilmer
characters. face to face meeting between cop and crook
happens by chance in first picture, and at the behest of cop
in the second. character actor Xander Berkeley plays pivotal
minor role in first and amusing cameo in second.
I believe Pacino/Plank's cop character is based on the
exploits of a real cop- (something like Gil Parra..?) who
works as a technical advisor to guys like Michael Mann. in
the mid-80's, screenwriter Floyd Mutrux based an unsold tv
pilot on him as well called R.E.L.A.X. about a
multi-jurisdictional task force based at L.A. International
Airport- LAX to travelers and Angelenos.
BD/jl
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