American Gangter (no spoilers I promise)
OK, so I used to give movie reviews on this blog, then again I also used to write regularly on here...
I went and saw the movie I'd been looking forward to for a long long time, Russell Crowe and Denzel...(and already it will be better than Virtuosity which wasn't actually that horrible a movie). In addition to the 2 main stars, Ridley Scott is the director, and well that for me is a sure sign it will be long, but not dragging, and it will tell a very good story.
This movie did not dissapoint. I really enjoy Denzel in the bad guy mode, but this is NOT Denzel circa Training Day, the character of Frank Lucas is a gangster, no doubt about it, thats what the first scene in the movie means to let you know. But Frank Lucas is also something of an anomaly...a Black man who moves up the ranks and ends up above the mafia in terms of power and control. Richie, Crowe's character, is very principled police officer, as one of the critical scenes involving a trunk full of money lets us know. I enjoyed how the storylines of Richie and Frank were kept separate for as long as possible even though you know they're heading for a confrontation. When that scene finally happens and Frank finally comes into contact with Richie, the moviemaking is done so well, that not a single word needs to be said. That is also a kudos to the 2 actors indeed.
If I could offer comparison, the one obvious one that jumps out is The Departed of last year by Marty Scorcese, but this is a wholly different kind of film, but about very similar characters. In both movies, there is a good job of showing that there's no black and white in the world of criminals and cops.
I was glad to see Scorcese win the Oscar, but I hope it doesn't count against American Gangster when it comes to award season.
The other big comparison I feel would be appropriate is Michael Mann's Heat, when Robert DeNiro & Al Pacino star on opposite sides of the law and most of the movie has them not interacting, but when they do its a very powerful scene and is what separated a good movie from a great movie.
There is also a lot of similarity between the values of Frank and Richie, and you could see them being friends under some circumstances.
It being based on a true story just makes it all the more interesting...
I have been careful not to give you any spoilers so that you can go and enjoy it, as I did with mostly an info blackout.
So please go see it and let me know what you think...hope the review helps
I went and saw the movie I'd been looking forward to for a long long time, Russell Crowe and Denzel...(and already it will be better than Virtuosity which wasn't actually that horrible a movie). In addition to the 2 main stars, Ridley Scott is the director, and well that for me is a sure sign it will be long, but not dragging, and it will tell a very good story.
This movie did not dissapoint. I really enjoy Denzel in the bad guy mode, but this is NOT Denzel circa Training Day, the character of Frank Lucas is a gangster, no doubt about it, thats what the first scene in the movie means to let you know. But Frank Lucas is also something of an anomaly...a Black man who moves up the ranks and ends up above the mafia in terms of power and control. Richie, Crowe's character, is very principled police officer, as one of the critical scenes involving a trunk full of money lets us know. I enjoyed how the storylines of Richie and Frank were kept separate for as long as possible even though you know they're heading for a confrontation. When that scene finally happens and Frank finally comes into contact with Richie, the moviemaking is done so well, that not a single word needs to be said. That is also a kudos to the 2 actors indeed.
If I could offer comparison, the one obvious one that jumps out is The Departed of last year by Marty Scorcese, but this is a wholly different kind of film, but about very similar characters. In both movies, there is a good job of showing that there's no black and white in the world of criminals and cops.
I was glad to see Scorcese win the Oscar, but I hope it doesn't count against American Gangster when it comes to award season.
The other big comparison I feel would be appropriate is Michael Mann's Heat, when Robert DeNiro & Al Pacino star on opposite sides of the law and most of the movie has them not interacting, but when they do its a very powerful scene and is what separated a good movie from a great movie.
There is also a lot of similarity between the values of Frank and Richie, and you could see them being friends under some circumstances.
It being based on a true story just makes it all the more interesting...
I have been careful not to give you any spoilers so that you can go and enjoy it, as I did with mostly an info blackout.
So please go see it and let me know what you think...hope the review helps
posted by Gavin27 @ 11:46 AM
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