Capes and Commentaries #54 – Dick Tracy


The famous comic strip detective Dick Tracy gets the cinematic treatment with this movie starring Warren Beatty as the celebrated sleuth. This action-heavy movie is rated PG and also stars Madonna and Al Pacino. Heavily stylized to reflect the tone of the comic strip, the movie features heavy concentrations of black, yellow and red. The storyline is focused on Dick Tracy’s impending showdown with a gangster named Big Boy Caprice and his flunkies, as well as his seduction by the voluptuous Breathless Mahoney. In addition to being an action movie, the film pays tribute to the mobster movie genre. It is a fast-paced adventure that allows Dick Tracy to demonstrate the depth and breadth of his detective skills, with little references to the comic brought in for established fans to enjoy.