Director Michael Mann's 2006 Miami Vice movie is currently available with a Netflix subscription. And it couldn't come at a better time: the film serves as the perfect thematic warm-up for GTA 6. No coincidence, because without Miami Vice, Vice City as we know it probably wouldn't exist.
Why is Miami Vice the perfect warm-up for GTA 6?
Neon lights, pastel colors, speedboats, drug cartels, and suits without socks: precisely this eighties vibe, captured by Michael Mann in his film, is also the heart of GTA 6. With the upcoming Vice City, Rockstar has once again chosen 80s Miami as its backdrop, and anyone looking to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of sunsets, yachts, and undercover cops beforehand will find Miami Vice to be just the ticket. While the film doesn't replace a trailer or provide new game info, it perfectly creates the mood to get you in the zone for the upcoming setting.
How has Miami Vice shaped the GTA franchise since 2002?
This isn't a new connection. Even 2002's GTA: Vice City heavily drew from the eponymous 80s TV series, which in turn spawned the movie: pastel blazers, cocaine kingpins, beach promenades, and a soundtrack full of synthwave vibes. Rockstar has never made a secret of the fact that the series starring Don Johnson was a key source of inspiration. Over two decades later, the studio is returning to this setting for GTA 6, but this time with a significantly more modern and serious narrative, as the discussion about GTA 6's realism also demonstrates. The Miami Vice aesthetic thus remains the red thread running through the entire Vice City series.
For players, this primarily means one thing: If you want to kill some time before release, Miami Vice offers a fitting diversion that makes the wait significantly more pleasant than another rewatch of the news timeline. And while you're wondering what Rockstar plans next for GTA Online, it's also worth taking a look at the allegedly canceled massive GTA 5 DLC, which shows how much Rockstar juggles with the Vice City legacy.
Our take: Whether Netflix or the editorial team is consciously playing into the GTA 6 hype here, or if it's just a nice coincidence, remains to be seen. But the fact is: anyone who wants to understand the roots of Vice City cannot bypass Miami Vice. The film isn't mandatory viewing, but it's a worthwhile addition for everyone waiting for GTA 6.
Source: GameStar
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