Dick Tracy (1990)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Graham J

  
  Though the film as whole doesn't totally work, visually and stylistically, this is a masterpiece. Also a fantastic cast altogether and a standout performance from Dustin Hoffman.

• Phil H

  
  Based on the hugely popular comicstrip from the 30's Tracy was merely a regular tough guy cop of the era that fought hoods, the main difference that made him so popular was the oddball mutant-like villains that he was up against which were pretty much like extreme caricatures.… More
  Based on the hugely popular comicstrip from the 30's Tracy was merely a regular tough guy cop of the era that fought hoods, the main difference that made him so popular was the oddball mutant-like villains that he was up against which were pretty much like extreme caricatures. Almost like a fantasy version of 'The Untouchables' the film has an obvious plot with good guy cops, bad guy villains, beautiful dames in nightclubs, lots of dimly lit offices highlighted by neon lights streaking in between the drawn blinds, fedora hats aplenty, tommy guns and sharp suits. The film is also made in a highly inventive way, making everything look like a real comicstrip (very much like 'Sin City') using only the same few colours used in the original comicstrip and with lots of matte paintings and models. It looks very impressive even today with the neon selected colour palette, abit dark at times but its very effective and could be mistaken for cgi at times. Add to that some fantastic costumes with highly colourised suits and pinstripes, all buildings in and out are coloured the same, a nice use of classic old cars as they zoom around and of course the tommy gun makes it all come together when when you see Beatty in a full shot firing it decked out with trenchcoat and fedora. The film is very reminiscent of Burtons Batman of course and this might be to do with Danny Elfman creating the musical score, its excellent as usual but maybe abit too close to Batman in all honesty. The whole film does have that Dark Knight feel about it, the classic 'Shadow' type vibe which is to be expected but it still stands well on its own. Like the comicstrip the hoods are one attraction with all the varieties of facial deformities on show, the makeup is really well done on all bad guys it just makes you wish there were more of them. Nice casting for all the hoods and policemen but the inclusion of Madonna wasn't required and should of gone to a proper actress and I firmly believe Sean Young would have made a better 'Tess Truehart', Young was the original choice. Very stylish fun flick which is also a decent homage to the original material surprisingly, one of the better adaptations that has made been over the years which is just about the right level of violence and camp 60's Batman and Robin type action.

• Manu G

  
  Their turf. Their game. Their rules. They didn't count on His law... Very good crime/comedy film. The style was really what made me watch it and was very good, it felt like watching a comic book Very good acting by everyone and a very nice cast including Al Pacino, Warren… More
  Their turf. Their game. Their rules. They didn't count on His law... Very good crime/comedy film. The style was really what made me watch it and was very good, it felt like watching a comic book Very good acting by everyone and a very nice cast including Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, and Madonna. The story was crime style and it was enough good to deliver and entertain. It is very good and in some ways more memorable than much of what goes on in the film. Based off of a comic book created by Chester Ghould. Dick Tracy is one of the toughest and the best police officer for the city. He is currently on the hunt for the biggest crime boss named Big Boy Caprice who recently killed off the former crime boss Lips Manless. Now Big Boy is rallying up all of the criminals in the city who are not only trying to make the city bow to Big Boy's wishes but to eliminate Tracy their only huge competition. However Tracy is facing with a whole lot of issues, as he is trying to not only track down Big Boy, but to keep his girlfriend Tess Trueheart, take care of a nameless orphan and dodge a seductive club dancer Breathless Mahoney and a mysterious gangster named "The Blank". Can Tracy overcome these obstacles and save the city?

• David L

  
  Dick Tracy is a comic book that pre-dates even Batman and Superman, having made his debut in 1931. The "cops and robbers" storyline is based off of creator Chester Gould's experiences living in Chicago during the Roaring 20's. In fact, the heroic gang buster Tracy… More
  Dick Tracy is a comic book that pre-dates even Batman and Superman, having made his debut in 1931. The "cops and robbers" storyline is based off of creator Chester Gould's experiences living in Chicago during the Roaring 20's. In fact, the heroic gang buster Tracy is partially based on the legendary Eliot Ness and Tracy's chief adversary, Al "Big Boy" Caprice, was based on the infamous Al Capone. What set the comic apart (and Warren Beatty faithfully recreates)was it's pulp crime thriller story lines with some basis in reality. Unlike Batman, Superman, and Spider-Man, Tracy rarely faced the same foe twice. As in reality, most of Tracy's villains either: A. Were arrested and went to prison for life. B. Were killed in a gunfight with Tracy. OR C. Died some twisted and/or ironic death befitting their character. It's gripping tales, strange villains, and exciting pace has made it a mainstay of the Sunday morning comics. In the film, Warren Beatty stars, produces, and directs this exciting adaption of the comic. In the title role, Beatty's terrific. Channeling his inner-Humphrey Bogart, Beatty gives a dead-on portrayal of the tough and morally indestructible hero, tempering the character with the right balance of human faults to make you root for him. Since there's no clear-cut "epic" story in the Tracy mythos, the story plays like a recreation of 1930's gangland wars with a heightened sense of reality. Al "Big Boy" Caprice (Al Pacino) is a brutal and ambitious crime boss looking to form an organized crime syndicate with other villains from the legendary "Rogues' Gallery" including the trigger-happy Flattop (type-cast villain, William Forsythe), the scratch-happy Itchy (Ed O'Ross from "Six Feet Under"), the appropriately named Mumbles (Beatty's "Ishtar" co-star Dustin Hoffman), the intimidating Influence (veteran character actor Henry Silva), and the sour Pruneface (veteran R.G. Armstrong), along with others. But there's only one thing standing in his way in Big Boy's quest to control the city: Dick Tracy. But Tracy has problems of his own. Despite his toughness, Tracy can't even muster the courage to propose to his sweetheart Tess Trueheart (Glenne Headly). He has to look after a street urchin called "The Kid" (Charlie Korimso). And fend off the sexual advances of Big Boy's night club siren, Breathless Mahoney (Madonna, spoofing her "Material Girl" persona). Add to that a mysterious, not to mention Faceless, foe who's helping Tracy fight the bad guys one minute and setting him up the next moment. The movie, despite the depth of plot, moves fairly quickly with an energy that never wanes one bit. From a visual standpoint, the vivid color schemes are used to give the film it's comic book feel, which a touch of film noir undertones. Danny Elfman's score (as good as anything John Williams has done) really drives the piece. And the All-star cast which also includes Paul Sorvino, James Caan, Charles Durning, Dick Van Dyke, and "Bonnie & Clyde" alums Michael J. Pollard and Estelle Parsons, elevate the film's integrity, making it a must see for any true comic book fan.

• AJ V

  
  I've never been able to make up my mind about this movie. It's got horrible dialogue, it's way over the top, Madonna's in it, and the story could use some work. But then again, I love the over the top quality, the style, the colour, and the action scenes.… More
  I've never been able to make up my mind about this movie. It's got horrible dialogue, it's way over the top, Madonna's in it, and the story could use some work. But then again, I love the over the top quality, the style, the colour, and the action scenes. Overall, I'd say it's pretty good, but it could be better.

• Jeff "

  
  I've always seem to put off viewing this film. I was a fan of the comics when I was a kid, but I never seen the film. Until recently. Dick Tracy directed by and starring Warren Beatty in the title role is a good adaptation directed with style. Beatty's vision of the film… More
  I've always seem to put off viewing this film. I was a fan of the comics when I was a kid, but I never seen the film. Until recently. Dick Tracy directed by and starring Warren Beatty in the title role is a good adaptation directed with style. Beatty's vision of the film focuses on a cartoonish, over the top visual style, and it looks great. The film is not only a fine adaptation of the Dick Tracy comics, but it also evokes the classic pulp style of the 1930's onwards. The style is incredible, the feel and the tone of the picture is flawless. The cast that Warren Beatty has assembled here is top notch and you have a lot of heavy weights from previous mob films, James Caan, Paul Sorvino, William Forsythe and of course Al Pacino in the role of Big Boy Caprice. You can't have a pulp comic book crime action film without such an incredible cast of talented actors to bring these characters to life. Madonna is surprisingly good as femme fatal Breathless Mahoney, and her chemistry with Warren Beatty is superb. Warren Beatty's direction is almost flawless and the film's stunning visual style is the high point of the film. However I thought the film script could have been slightly better, other than that, the film succeeds at entertaining and thrilling. A very fun hour and forty minutes. A very memorable comic book adaptation. If you've enjoyed Tim Burton's Batman, and love films with a terrific visual style, then give Dick Tracy a viewing. The classic pulp feel of the picture makes this a worthwhile film to watch.

• Chris G

  
  Dick Tracy was an answer to Tim Burton's Batman. "We can do comic book movies, too. Hell, Tracy was older than Batman. Give the guy a chance. So Disney backed legendary playboy Warren Beatty in making Dick come to the big screen. The film is a buffet for the eyes with… More
  Dick Tracy was an answer to Tim Burton's Batman. "We can do comic book movies, too. Hell, Tracy was older than Batman. Give the guy a chance. So Disney backed legendary playboy Warren Beatty in making Dick come to the big screen. The film is a buffet for the eyes with some great backgrounds and set design that just jumps out and screams "look at me!". The costuming is also very good, though they did go a bit overboard with the primary colors. Then there's the wonderful make up effects. Don't forget that Al Pacino and Dustin Hoffman are in this, too. So what could be the problem? The main issue with Dick Tracy is the title character, or we can go deeper and say it was the portrayal of said character. Beatty really doesn't give us much with the role. It's more like "Hey, I'm the guy on the poster, look at me!" The thing is that I got dulled by Dick Tracy. He really doesn't do much except get into traps and get into more traps and get into some trouble to boot. That was ok in the serial world, but as a full length movie it falls flat quick. If your title character sucks, then there isn't much hope for the movie as a whole. It is a good film for the kiddies to see, unless you're offended by the almost spanking scene. Like I said, it's a colorful piece that is an achievement on that front. It's almost the mirror image of that 1989 Batman movie. This is colorful while that film is dark and gray, but the characters in Batman are actually interesting, whereas in Dick Tracy they're just there. And this must be the film where Pacino began yelling all the time, too.

• Spencer S

  
  Very Dick Tracy, with amazing costuming, dizzying amounts of that Tracy panache, and general adorableness. Still, there's only so much cuteness stomachable before you're watching a kid's movie with guns.

• Al S

  
  A real classic. A blisteringly exciting, wildly hilarious and tremendously action-packed adventure. A dazzling film noir comedy that's truly one of the greatest comic book movies of all time. It's brilliant and simply extraordinary. A stylish masterpiece from Director and… More
  A real classic. A blisteringly exciting, wildly hilarious and tremendously action-packed adventure. A dazzling film noir comedy that's truly one of the greatest comic book movies of all time. It's brilliant and simply extraordinary. A stylish masterpiece from Director and star Warren Beatty. He also gives on of his best and most entertaining performances ever in one of his best films. Al Pacino is simply magnificent, he gives an outrageously funny and wickedly enjoyable performance. It's smart, very funny and incredibly fun movie.

• Tim S

  
  This isn't quite as good as I remember when I saw it as a kid. It has some charm, but its mediocrity overshadows that charm.

• Ken S

  
  The story is so so, but the world Beatty and Stararo bring to life is breathtaking. The noir-esque lighting and primary color palate makes each scene unique. Great cast too, although some struggle to act through their make up more than others.

• Chris W

  
  I love it when a cinemtaic adaptation of a comic book, comic strip, or graphic novel not only recreates the look and feel of the source material, but the true essence, nature, and spirit as well, and that's even more true when it stays ferveishly faithful, too. Dick Tracy is one… More
  I love it when a cinemtaic adaptation of a comic book, comic strip, or graphic novel not only recreates the look and feel of the source material, but the true essence, nature, and spirit as well, and that's even more true when it stays ferveishly faithful, too. Dick Tracy is one of those films. Until today, it had been 18 years since I had seen this movie. I saw it in the theater when I was 4. All I remember about that experience was the big deal surrounding a famous singer (Madonna) starring in the movie, and that there was action, danger, and, that I fell asleep (but it wasn't the movies fault). I recently began getting into this movie for some reason, and finally got around to renting it and watching it again. My opening sentence should tell you how I felt about re-watching this much underappreciated film. The art direction/set pieces, and general look of the film-the stylized depiction of a bustling 1930's city, the bright, vibrant (but not garish) color scheme, and the wildly imaginative and grotesque (but not disturbing) make-up and special effects, as well as the pitch-perfect period costumes are all excellent, and are the best things about the movie. The acting is really impressive too, which makes the film even better considering that this movie's cast is a very large and ensemble one (there's too many great names to list here, but believe me, the casting is basically brilliant), and that there's not really a bad performance to be found. Soem performances are better than others, but yeah, nothing to complain about really. There are some issues though, which is why I didn't give the film a perfect rating, and they do keep it from being perfect, but not from being excellent. Those issues are that, while the film is incredibly faithful, Beatty's Tracy is a little less square-jawed and more human than his comic counterpart. That's extremely nitpicky, but is still worth noting. It's a gripe so minor that it's almost invisible. Breathless Mahoney's role, I felt (and this applies to the film's story in general, lleaves something to be desired. Lot's of cliches, and some very formulaic stuff here. That makes the films more of a visual and superficial experience than one founded on a brilliant stroy, but what the film lacks it makes up for in spades by all of the flawless elements it has. I love Danny Elfman. He's a brilliant composer. The music here is amazing, and it works well with the film, but it needs to be said that the music he uses here is not original. In fact, he plagiarizes some of the work he did the year before with Batman, and, on one occasion, some John Williams, but I didn't seem to mind really. The striking similarities and unoriginality are evident, but they don't feel that that way. Again, minor gripe, but still. I'm not sure why I'm being so nitpicky, but maybe it's because there's so little wrong with this film. On a positive side note, I think it's great when there exists a great live-action crime/action movie that is fun, and exciting, and can be that way with the usage of bloodless violence, and only ONE dirty word. ONE. Believe me, I love crimes movies loaded up with (well-used) strong violence and profanity, but I have a lot of respect for people who can get the same results by playing it down and doing it PG without having to sacrifice anything. I'm astounded that, even though this film was a hit when it was released and won some Oscars, that it seemed to just fall of the edge of the Earth so quickly. This film needs to be revisited and be revived. Brilliant and fun (and cartoonishly funny) movies like this don't come around very often (if at all anymore), and that's a damn shame. Ususally I reserve the worn-out phrase "they don't make movies like this anymore" for forgotten gems of the 1960/70's, but that phrase applies to this film, too. Give this one another shot. Trust me. It's worth it.

• Curtis L

  
  Really cool comic book movie, next to sin city and not as brutal. Madonna almost ruins it though.

• danny d

  
  one of the more different and great flicks

• Keith A

  
  The film has a visual style that comes off the screen like gangbusters. Al Pacino is brilliantly funny as Big Boy Caprice.

• Daniel J D

  
  The film seeks refuge in nostalgia and camp, but it's not trying to be anything it's not. Surprisingly enough, Madonna delivers a solid performance in acting as well as song and dance. Warren Beatty delivers a competent, if uninspiring, performance as the titular character,… More
  The film seeks refuge in nostalgia and camp, but it's not trying to be anything it's not. Surprisingly enough, Madonna delivers a solid performance in acting as well as song and dance. Warren Beatty delivers a competent, if uninspiring, performance as the titular character, but Al Pacino really steals the show. The truly lasting contribution of the film, however, is its style, the way it moves, the colors, the sets, the makeup, the lighting. It really has its own original feel. Perhaps naot revolutionary, but its influence is clearly seen in later films like Sin City and 300. Give its PG rating, this film really outdoes itself.

• Dean M

  
  The only one of the recent comic strip adaptations that actually looks like a comic, with all their garish colours and bold designs. Impressive.

• Lafe F

  
  This movie I plan on never watching. It's a boycott. I'm sure it's good, but I didn't like how it was hyped.

• Michael S

  
  Loved the style and the film.

• Jason S

  
  I thought this colorful movie was fun and when I was kid I thought the world it was set in was a place I would like to go to.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings