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"Mature Content Warning!" |
| “ | We want to hurt no one. We're here for the bank's money, not your money. Your money is insured by the federal government, you're not gonna lose a dime. Think of your families, don't risk your life. Don't try and be a hero. Right now I want you to sit on the floor and put your hands on your head. Anybody feels sick, anybody got heart trouble, go ahead and lean against the wall. | „ |
| ~ Neil's most famous quote. |
| “ | Told you I'm never going back. | „ |
| ~ Neil's dying words to Vincent. |
Neil McCauley is the protagonist villain of the 1995 epic crime film Heat. He is a career criminal and former Marine who has spent most of his life robbing banks, currently intent on completing one final score before retiring with his financial future secure while also determined to avoid another stint in jail by any means necessary.
He was portrayed by Robert De Niro.
What Makes Him Magnificent?[]
- He's an expert at taking scores from the government, successfully robbing a million-dollar bank as well as an armored truck containing bearer bonds. He and Chris manage to escape the shootout following the bank robbery with two bags of money, with Neil even carrying his wounded teammate's arm on his shoulder as they run towards a getaway car. If only Waingro wasn't there, Neil's onscreen heists would've had zero casualties.
- While attempting to steal precious metal in one scene, Neil sees through Vincent's surveillance feed and doesn't take anything. That way, he can Chris would only be charged with breaking at best and thus get less prison time.
- Robert De Niro's acting is excellent as always, providing iconic monologues such as the coffee shop scene with Vincent.
- He has an adorable romance with Eady and lets her decide to leave America with him on her own accord. Although he abandons her with Vincent around the corner, this was honestly the right thing to do in hindsight because she could've gotten killed or arrested for being an accomplice during the two men's following shootout.
- As the quote above shows, he doesn't like harming innocent civilians if he doesn't have to.
- He avenges his dead crewmates by killing Van Zant and Waingro (the latter of whom is a Near Pure Evil Hate Sink and Pathetic Pinhead that gets off on serial murder and rape and he's not Pure Evil only because he fails heinous standard to a person) and kindly mercy-kills a wounded Trejo after seeing what happened to his wife.
- He remains dignified in his final moments after getting shot by Vincent, who holds his hand as he dies.
What Makes Him a Baddie?[]
- He's a career criminal. The movie even starts with him killing two of three defenseless cops to get rid of potential witnesses, although to be fair this was only after Waingro killed the first one at point-blank range for no reason.
External Links[]
- Neil McCauley at the Villains wiki