I think American Gangster was very well shot(Not a surprise from a Ridley Scott film)and it was even paced well(A bit of a surprise because Scott sometimes has pacing issues)The 70's look
was great and the acting of Denzel and Crowe was good. The film reminded me a bit of Serpico, The Godfather, The French Connection, and Scarface but I don't think it offered anything new and surprising that we haven't seen before and better in the above mentioned films. I'd recommend it but I fear it's a bit overrated-I've seen Denzel and Crowe better in other films. If the film gets a nomination it should be for Cinematography-If it gets acting nods I'll really be surprised-Again-It was acted well but I fear a film like this may get a nomination because the Oscars are just plain weird(Don't get me wrong-I watch them every year and Ridley Scott should have won by now but let it be for a better film. I love Scorsese too but people will look back at his career one day-Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Aviator, and say-"What the hell-He won for The Departed!"

Yeah. Remember DO THE RIGHT THING?

Oh wait, that isn't exactly a favorite with the locals here.

Which is sorta sad, because it fucking rocks.

Oh, and I just finished watching this flick too. As the Iron Sheik would say..."excellent, excellent, excellent."

Great indeed. Glad you liked it.

Hm, I've always classed Scott as a craftsman before a visualist; the cinematography here is conventional and flat, but the narrative energy doesn't waste a second. I liked Ronnie's thoughts on the opening shot: it is a wrong-footer, because the film thereafter lacks the explosive punch of a cops and robbers thriller, but it's engrossing all the same. Scott's a brilliant storyteller, and the story here is an amalgamation of The French Connection, Heat and all those other drug-induced crime-lord character arcs such as Scarface, Blow and even GoodFellas (stripping an army plane to its bare bones in search of narcotics reminded me so much of Gene Hackman's desperate dejection at stripping a car in much the same fashion).

The acting was expectedly solid: Washington is the charismatic charmer more akin to Fernando Rey's Alain Charnier than Robert De Niro's Neil McCauley; Crowe, on the other hand, is his usual strutting self, exploding into rage when local youths persist in causing him and his wife a nuisance during their walk in the park.

As a whole, I'd agree with a1, in that it's a very good film which doesn't necessarily add anything new. Though I would add that it does inject some saving fuel with the inclusion of Trupo, the corrupt cop whose presence makes us route for both Crowe and Washington. But for his character, however little it is developed (a shame, really), it'd be just another average entry to the genre.

As it is, I think it settles for a generic formula, and serves it through excellently.

One word for this movie flat.

I thought it was an excellent genre film, as good as it could have been given the necessary limits of the narrative.

Then I wish FLAT movies like this were this good!

With your comments above....I think I actually agree with you.

Of course, the same attacks of "Adds Nothing New" was slapped at Scorsese's CASINO, which is still a damn good movie.

The problem with this movie is that its nothing special, everything that happens in the movie is already done before. As someone before said it doesnt add anything new. Its based on real life but we've seen this type of movie countless time.

Another thing is that the movie is forgettable, its a movie i wouldnt reccomand to anyone and after watching its like right that was nothing new, Maybe it was the hype or i was expecting something else but the movie ultimately didnt have the spark i thought it would have. It felt like its all going to tie up now but bang nothing happens.

Maybe the crime genres been milked but i also felt that the movie was cliched but then it is based on true story.

so overall nothing to shout about.

Yeah, I dunno...it seemed like they tied everything up at the end honestly.

Anyway, with your logic, CASINO sucks.

Do not tell me that CASINO sucks!

Besides, don't be a crybaby because you fell for expectations of grandeur.

I had something...how do I call it? Oh yes...I have realistic outlook.

This from the same director who made dreck like G.I. JANE and WHITE SQUALL.

AMERICAN GANGSTER getting whacked wouldn't have surprised me.

It's been a few days since I saw it.

What a rubbish film.

Ridley Scott does it again!

I wont tell you that Casino sucks but again its another movie not to shout about.

I rather enjoyed this film.I cracked open a few beers,kicked back on the couch and enjoyed it.I didn't find it too long.As mentioned earlier it brings nothing new to the genre,but was anyone actually expecting it to?

Washington is the man.I've seen him give a lot tighter performances but he always finds a way to engage you.With Crowe,i don't know if you guys notice this,but he's accent slips into a semi Aussie one from now and then.Same as in 3:10 to Yuma.Maybe i notice it because I'm Australian.

Over all,i reckon the movie is solid.Some thing to chuck on and watch when you got a few spare hours and don't feel like using your brain too much.

I notice that sometimes when Anthony LaPaglia speaks. Every now and then, I hear the Australian in his voice when he pronounces certain words.

What happened to this show being on DVD? Carla Gugino is well gorgeous.

I hav'nt seen American Gangster yet, but will soon.

I just heard that American Gangster, among other films on HD DVD are now £4.99 at HMV.

Clearing out the trash!! Blu Ray won!!

I don't know if I commented on this movie before, but the impression of it right now in my mind is pretty average. A generic movie that falls in the category of "Coming to a theater near you this summer, a tale of ...." "Starring academy award winner Denzel Washington..." which essentially means 'Beware!!!'

Sounds like the response to Tom Cruise in the trailer for VALKYRIE.

Is true that Frank Lucas was mentored by Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson?

by the way, has anyone watched the "unrated extended version" with a different ending?

like the movie itself, "it does not add anything new", but that doesn't mean anything either. I thought it was a great film, it wasn't even too long in my opinion. not even the extended version with 18 minutes more. it was all worth.

I watched it, felt like another gangster movie, forgettable with nothing to stand out, nothing even remotely compelling, rather than a true story being told as you rightfully put in Mann's Heat manner, overlong and full of cliches.

7/10

This movie would have been great if it was made 20-30 years ago.

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