Dick Tracy

Starring: Warren Beatty, Madonna, Al Pacino, Glenne Headly, Mandy Patinkin, Charlie Korsmo, Dustin Hoffman, James Caan, Dick Van Dyke
Written by: Chester Gould, Jim Cash
Director: Warren Beatty
Year: 1990

Rating: * * * 1/2  Stars       +       (Fan Bonus 1/2 )  Total: * * * *

Comic book films weren't churned out often in the 80's and 90's like they are today. With Superman and Batman being the only bankable titles, Disney took a gamble on a title that is as old as Superman and Batman, but had lost momentum as the decades rolled on. 

Dick Tracy comes to breathtaking life with a cast of high-profile stars, larger than life characters, and plenty of action sequences. Warren Beatty both directs and plays the lead character, Dick Tracy. His stiff, no nonsense style compliments Tracy's diligence in dealing with the criminal scum that infest his city. His girlfriend Tess Trueheart (Glenne Headly) remains at his side, but longs for the day all the craziness of Tracy's job is over and he can finally marry her and start a family. In fact her wish comes true, sort of. Dick Tracy comes across a pint-sized thief named "Kid" (Charlie Korsmo), and rather than send the Juvenal to an orphanage, Tracy and Tess decide to foster him. 

With his personal life turned on its ear, Tracy takes to the streets as he takes on his long time rival Big Boy Caprice played By Al Pacino. Pacino clearly has fun playing this character pulling out all the reserves in his over-the-top performance. Despite a few critically panned films in her past, Madonna finds her niche in the role of Breathless Mahoney, the sultry lounge singer who tries to play both sides.

Big Boy is uniting the mobs against Dick Tracy, all the while trying to re-open a nightclub he "acquired" from a fellow mobster. A mysterious faceless man is spilling the beans to Dick Tracy about Big Boy's activities. But who is he and what does he want? 

Dick Tracy's rogue's gallery is fully represented. With characters like Pruneface, Flattop, Itchy, Lips Manles, Mumbles, 88 keys and more, the villains are as unique and vibrant as their names suggest.

Visually the film feels like the comic strips. Warren Beatty keeps colors to a minimum. Red, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Purple and Green, as well as Black and White are the only colors used. No variations in shade or hue. Every red is the same. Every green is the same, and so on. this mirrors the 6-color printing of the old comic strips. 

As a director, Beatty balances the film perfectly. Action and characters will appeal to children, but there is plenty of violence and intrigue to keep adults riveted. Yet still remains faithful to the spirit of the comics.

SEE THE TRAILER: Dick Tracy