Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Nicole I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Marva It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

betty dalton Many gangsters movies have tried to look cool, but end up as wannabees. "Thief" is the real thing. Or as close to it as I have seen it. The screenplay was actually written by an ex-thief and the tools used in the heist were real and were provided for by ex-thiefs who were used as "technical advisors" on this movie.Director Michael Mann's debut has everything in it that a cool heist movie needs. It is probably for that reason that this classic is on Quentin Tarantino's list of favorite gangster movies. Starring James Caan as a guy you really really dont wanna mess with, playing a specialist in cracking high end security safes. After a big heist James Caan gets cut out by a crimeboss of his deserved share of the loot and responds by threatening him that he has got 24 hours to deliver his share or "he will wear his ass as a hat"."Thief", is a gangster classic, wherein men are real men. And James Caan is as cool as it gets. But Caan's character is still a human with needs and imperfections. A part of the movie is dedicated to his wish to settle down with a wife and kids and get out of the heist business. I think the time given to learn to know Caan's character is essential. It is done with broad strokes and in short conversations with his wife and friend. But those words are very powerful and I must restrain myself to not literally copy and paste them into this review. The dialogues in this movie are really to die for. Caan co produced this movie and I truly think it is one of his best roles ever. Great supporting role of James Belushi too. "The hell with me, the hell with you, with everything" is James Caan's motto. No attachments. Walk away in a second and burn everything behind you. This cold gangsters view of life is also a recurring theme in another classic of Michael Mann called "Heat", starring Robert de Niro and Al Pacino. You GOTTA see that movie if you are into heist movies!"Thief" features a mesmerizing soundtrack by Tangerine Dream. Music has always played a lead part in ALL of Michael Mann's movies. This soundtrack really is gorgeous and creates a constant mood of alienation. It can become too dominant sometimes, but often the music really enhances the suspense."Thief" is a slowburner. Tension is built up slowly. The climax only comes at the very end. Don't expect big shootouts or action movie heists with "Mission Impossible" break in schemes. Everything is done like a real professional heist man would do it: low key. However James Caan's character is nothing close to low key. The man is a volcano waiting to errupt. And explode he will...

The Movie Diorama I believe Mann is a good director. From acclaimed works like "Collateral" and "Heat" to underrated gems like "Blackhat". He has always been known for creating gritty realistic crime thrillers. This all started back in 1981 with this uncommonly different piece of cinema. Having the desire to rid his past life of crime, a thief is hired for one final heist. However, we all know greed gets the better of us as soon he is trapped in a contract that requires him to perform more heists. If you're good at something, you will always be in demand. Much like our eponymous thief. This is a good solid thriller that is fuelled by dialogue. I mean, if a fifteen minute scene is just two characters talking in a diner, you know you'll need to focus on every word spoken. It's sharp, and I mean very sharp. The problem with this is that the need for dialogue feels far too forced. It's just fluff, and really doesn't develop these characters. The thief perhaps more than others, the supporting characters were redundant. I was completely disinterested during the first hour, I didn't connect with any of the characters and did not care for what was happening. James Caan was effortlessly in control though. Then the final heist begins and somehow my eyes are glued to the screen. Mann's slick urban directing style, the synthesised musical score, the flashing neon lights and city backdrop. It all worked. Then silencing the background music during scenes of tension, like breaking into the vault, was genius. I was intrigued by the thief's methods and thought it was intricately executed. Then the final twenty minutes arrive. I was in suspense heaven! I just wished the thrills were maintained throughout. Think of this as a precursor to "Heat". This is technically accomplished, whereas the latter is that and full of investing characters. A great debut though, just too much focus on dialogue that I didn't care about.

SerDelon Visually and soundtrack wise, the movie almost epitomizes that style that we tend to associate with the 80s crime films nowadays; the neon lights, synth-heavy music, the uneasy, dark atmosphere. Clearly a big inspiration and influence on movies such as Drive. It's beautifully shot and the musical accompaniment is amazing. From a stylistic standpoint, this movie will not disappoint.The film's story is rather simple and easy to follow as is usually the case with these kind of movies, don't expect a complex story-line with great turns or plot twists but I did not feel that was an issue in this particular film.As for the characters, the movie heavily focuses on the main protagonist so the side characters are perhaps not as deep, but that is not really an issue either, the side characters "do their job" for what they were written for and it allows the main character to flourish much more. Rarely have I seen a more "easy to like" protagonist such as this one, Cann did a great job with his acting as did the writers. His lines are cool, he's professional and cold but can also be a bit hotheaded at tunes, the whole essence of the character oozes "badass" in my opinion.Also, the heists themselves had a feeling of authenticity to them, I'm not sure if it was the most accurate portrayal of how it happens in the real world but they certainly felt more believable than they do in most movies.Honestly, I personally felt that the movie was almost perfect but that'd be heavily biased of me so to be more objective I'll say it's about 7 to 8 out of 10 for an average viewer.

PimpinAinttEasy Dear Michael Mann, thanks for making such a stylish character study of a thief with some barely hidden social commentary. A successful freelancing thief (James Caan) decides to settle down with a beautiful but tortured woman (Tuesday Weld). He also shrugs away his independence and enters what I saw as a day job - he decides to pull off a daring robbery for the mafia who would pay him a cut. The mafia even arranges a kid for the thief and his new wife as his criminal record disqualifies him from adopting children. Of course, the gentrification of the thief goes haywire. Everything about Thief indicates that the director is a man of great taste. Tangerine Dream's score bestows the film with a contemplative air. The stunning visuals are awash with blue. The locations seemed like they were carefully chosen. The slow motion action scenes and violence were stunning. The supporting cast - Willie Nelson as a dying criminal, Robert Prosky as the mafia man, Tuesday Weld as the reluctant wife and James Belushi as the sidekick were all remarkable. Apparently, Al Pacino refused this film. This might have worked in the film's favor as any film with Pacino usually ends up with him hogging the limelight. James Caan was stylish and was particularly good in the scene at the cafe when he opens his heart to Weld. He did not distract attention away from some of the other aspects of the film. Good job, Michael. Best Regards, Pimpin. (10/10)