| Given that nothing in Michael Mann's feature film version of "Miami Vice" remotely resembles the 1980s television series, it seems a little odd that when the closing credits come up, we hear a cover version of "In the Air Tonight," a Phil Collins song closely associated with the show.
"It's not a nod," Mann grouses, frustrated not at the question but at the fact that everyone will think the song is a wink to the TV series. And Michael Mann doesn't do winks.
"I searched and searched to find something that was not 'In the Air Tonight' that conveyed the emotions of the song because I'd rather not have 'In the Air Tonight,' " Mann says. "But I couldn't. The song is just a killer."
"The lyrics in the song are really tough. 'If I saw you drowning, I would not lend a hand.' " Mann laughs. "That's really hard."
When it's mentioned that Collins wrote the song about his failing marriage, Mann nods his head. "I suspect he did," he says.
Elsewhere, the soundtrack of "Miami Vice" prominently features two of Mann's favorite artists Moby and Audioslave.
"Moby is unabashedly romantic, with great discipline and great taste," Mann says of the artist who remixed his song, "One of These Mornings," for the closing credits of the film. It's the second Moby song to play at the end of a Mann movie; the haunting instrumental "God Moving Over the Face of the Waters" is heard as "Heat" ends.
"His music puts you in a particular head space," Mann says. "It's almost hypnotic."
Mann counts Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello as a friend and collaborated with him for much of the music in his last movie, "Collateral." Two new Audioslave songs, "Shape of Things to Come" and "Wide Awake," are prominently featured in the film. Both songs are on the band's upcoming album, "Revelations," due in September.
"I think Chris Cornell's voice is unparalleled," Mann says. "Put it with Tom Morello's guitar, and you have a big, driving sound.
That's what you want in a movie like this." | 
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