CROCKETT AND TUBBS, SANS PASTELS.

Byline: - Glenn Whipp

Jamie Foxx has an easier time explaining what the ``Miami Vice'' movie isn't than talking about what it is. So, first things first: There will be no pastel colors in Michael Mann's big-budget, big-screen adaptation of his '80s television series. No pet alligator. No Jan Hammer theme song. No cameos. No nostalgia. No nods to the past.

``I wear some Versace, but it's understated Versace,'' Foxx says, to which we replied, ``Understated Versace? Isn't that an oxymoron?''

``It's vintage,'' Foxx explains.

The names, at least, are the same. Foxx plays Detective Ricardo Tubbs, while Colin Farrell steps into Sonny Crockett's shoes. The story has the two detectives infiltrating the drug world, hopping from South Florida to Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Paraguay, finding romance and corruption along the way.

Production on the film went long - tropical storms and Mann's perfectionism getting in the way. When it was over, Farrell checked himself into rehab and rumors abounded that Foxx was less than happy with the whole experience.

``That's not true,'' says Foxx, who worked with Mann two years ago on ``Collateral.''

``With him, you know what you're getting into. And you've got to be ready for that.'' Now, getting back to what the film is ...

``It's drugs and high-end cars, fancy boats, beautiful women,'' Foxx says. ``But that's just eye candy. The movie is really about these two guys going further and further down into the hole and how that messes with their lives and their heads. It's gritty.

``Michael Mann knows this (stuff). This might be the ultimate undercover cop movie. Just don't go expecting any damn flamingos.''

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(color) `Miami Vice'

July 28