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Average User Score: 8 (159 sources)

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Ranga15

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Here I was, entering the cinema thinking that this movie would be strongly violents and gruesome, but man was I ever so wrong!
There was rare action, but the drama was great.
The action when delivered to the audience, was moderately...
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Here I was, entering the cinema thinking that this movie would be strongly violents and gruesome, but man was I ever so wrong!
There was rare action, but the drama was great.
The action when delivered to the audience, was moderately entertaining too.

The cast lined up for this movie was exceptional. I mean, you have got two of the best actors in the buisness, starring in the one flick.
Washington is one of my favourite actors so that is what mainly encouraged me to go witness this film.
And I have to say, Denzel nailed his role this time as well. rowe was decent, but could have portrayed his chracter a little better.

The story is fairly good but the pace slows down dramatically in the middle of the movie. So you might experience a bit of boredom hence the middle of the movie but don't stop watching the movie, it gets a whole lot better, trust me.

In conlusion, I enjoyed this movie and highly recommend this ttile to anyone.
Definitely worth watching and I felt that I had spent every cent well when the creits began to role.

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Posted mar 24, 2008 3:58 pm pt

mr_killer_man

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Black man over the Italians mob bosses,white mob bosses and any other color mob boss? Dude made a Million bucks a day! How he do that? I call it dope boy magic! Something I was saying throughout out the whole movie. That Blue Magic was no joke!...
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Black man over the Italians mob bosses,white mob bosses and any other color mob boss? Dude made a Million bucks a day! How he do that? I call it dope boy magic! Something I was saying throughout out the whole movie. That Blue Magic was no joke! Kill you in a heart beat if you messed with it!

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Posted mar 16, 2008 12:57 pm pt

lsburton

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I hate to say this about any Denzel movie, but I did not like it at all. I made about four attempts to watch this movie and I fell asleep every time. It was a complete disappointment. I think the fact that I don't like gangster movies plays a big...
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I hate to say this about any Denzel movie, but I did not like it at all. I made about four attempts to watch this movie and I fell asleep every time. It was a complete disappointment. I think the fact that I don't like gangster movies plays a big part in the reason why I voted the way I did. Maybe I am missing something because everyone seems to love it. American Gangster will not be apart of my personal collection. Sorry.

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Posted mar 11, 2008 2:24 am pt

LalyBlondy

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This is great movie.
One of the best this year, but it coul be better.

Story is great. It is inspired by a true story of Frank Lucas drug lord who was born 1930 and is still alive. At the end it is a little stretched and...
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This is great movie.
One of the best this year, but it coul be better.

Story is great. It is inspired by a true story of Frank Lucas drug lord who was born 1930 and is still alive. At the end it is a little stretched and long.

Ridley Scott has done great job directing this movie. He has realy capture atmosphere of that time. He presents caos times when the cups were using their power illegaly.
Role of Lucas was realy goor for Denzel Washington so his acting was similar to his other movies, but still he has done good job.
Russell Crowe was great in this one. He played som many different roles over the years. Once again different role (between Gladiator and Perfect mind) and great acting.

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Posted jan 29, 2008 9:57 pm pt

FilipHolm

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American Gangster is directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator) and i´ve been waiting to see it, now that i´ve finaly have i can write this review. For those who don´t know American Gangster is...
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American Gangster is directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator) and i´ve been waiting to see it, now that i´ve finaly have i can write this review. For those who don´t know American Gangster is based on a true story about the drug lord Frank Lucas, played by Academy Award winning actor Denzel Washington, and his rise ad fall. the cop who got him into jail is played by Academy Award winning actor Russell Crowe. The cast is great and Washingtons performance is leaning towards another oscar. Russell Crowe is allso great but not as good i you would hope. Ridley Scott is a superb director when he does something good, and American Gangster is with no doubt good, maybe he is allso an Acadmy winner this year. Even though i was expecting a little more American Gangster is one of the years absolurte best movies, i i would not be suprised at all if it was nominated and won oscars for best Leading Actor, Best Director and best script. I am actualy expecting that.

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Posted dec 31, 2007 9:20 pm pt

The_Legend_Of_N

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Denzel Washington is playing the role of Frank Lucas absolutely briliant. Russell Crowe, however, is a bit disappointing, I think. But nevertheless, American Gangster is probably the best blockbuster of the year.

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Posted dec 29, 2007 3:42 am pt

bobbyprince80

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I agree with everyone that this movie may not be the best movie of the year, but it sure is in the run. I mean starting from the begining of the movie you have an insane seen with lots of torture. Movies that have action and violence in them are...
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I agree with everyone that this movie may not be the best movie of the year, but it sure is in the run. I mean starting from the begining of the movie you have an insane seen with lots of torture. Movies that have action and violence in them are normallly up in the run of the best movies of the year. American Gangster is easily in the top 20 of the year. Everyone that has a chance should go see it because it is an incredible movie to watch. The acting is well played, with some minor setbacks, but otherwise everyone did a good job. A 4/5 is a must see!!!

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Posted dec 18, 2007 6:06 am pt

rockin01

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I don't care how many people hit the "disagree" button- this is not the movie of the year, ok? That's not to say it's a bad movie-it is competently made, and fairly enjoyable. But the people behind this film missed the opportunity to...
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I don't care how many people hit the "disagree" button- this is not the movie of the year, ok? That's not to say it's a bad movie-it is competently made, and fairly enjoyable. But the people behind this film missed the opportunity to make it a classic.
First, there's the script. The story of Frank Lucas is fascinating, but the writers chose to focus on a short period of his life that affords the opportunity for some action set pieces, but provides little illumination of Lucas' background or motivation. And they also focused so intently on the characters of Lucas and Richie Roberts that they neglected to explore the rich stories of Lucas' contemporaries like Bumpy Johnson, Nicky Barnes and Guy Fisher. Then there's the casting. I know the casting of Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe was a coup, but I think it hurt the movie. It would have worked better for me with a couple of unknowns.
And Ridley Scott's direction was uncharacteristically joyless and flat, lacking the grace notes he is so famous for. A competently made movie, but a far cry from Scarface, Goodfellas, The Godfather, or any of the other classics it has been compared to.

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Posted dec 15, 2007 4:38 pm pt

CMoney356

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American Gangster, the new Ridley Scott crime drama starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe is a film based on the true story about Frank Lucas (Washington), the unique crime lord rapidly rising in the ranks and the cop (Crowe) who serves as...
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American Gangster, the new Ridley Scott crime drama starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe is a film based on the true story about Frank Lucas (Washington), the unique crime lord rapidly rising in the ranks and the cop (Crowe) who serves as his greatest opposition.

However, the acting in the film is superb, and Denzel is as charming, intense and charismatic as ever (receiving a well deserved Golden Globe nod). He undeniably provides the entertainment and is often compelling aswell, and you got to love it when he does those gangster-esque actions that make you shiver and smile. Crowe, while not at his finest, brings a nice soft balance to the sharp edges that Denzel's character has.

Scott's direction, too, is top-notch. The movie is rapid and hectic (in a good way), and nothing is on screen for too long. The whole film feels very atmospheric and timely and Scott's parallel storytelling between the cop and the criminal is expertly executed, reminiscent of the third Godfather film. And this movie is very near to the Godfather films: it isn't about the violence, it is a character study, etc. However, it lacks the darkness, irony and intelligence that would elevate it to the "classic" level.

The plot, especially for a "true story," is gripping and moving for the large majority of the 2hr and 40min picture with some slippage at the very end and in the Crowe scenes. It twists and turns all the way through and until the films climax.

The main problem with American Gangster, at the end of the day, is simply that it, while amazingly professional, isn't enough of an epic like the classic gangster films it pays tribute to. The plot line, themes, and action scenes are very well thought out but simply don't fit together. And the plain title, American Gangster fits the archetypal picture; it is too often just a gangster film, nothing more.

Directing - * * * *
Writing - * * *
Acting - * * * *
Best Performance - Denzel Washington
Genre fit - * * *
Overall Score - * * * *

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Posted dec 15, 2007 1:21 am pt

BrookllynBoy94

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This is one of the greatest American crime movies of all time. American Gangster is an instant classic. This is one of those rare stories, such as GoodFellas, The Godfather, and maybe even the Deoarted,, that will never die. American Gangster...
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This is one of the greatest American crime movies of all time. American Gangster is an instant classic. This is one of those rare stories, such as GoodFellas, The Godfather, and maybe even the Deoarted,, that will never die. American Gangster should very much be considered for Best Picture and Denzel Washington deserves a Best Leading Actor Oscar. I also liked Josh Brolin in this, who is also in No Country For Old Men, which is another great movie this year. So when you're at the moives and deciding what to spend that 6 or 9 dollars on, see American Gangster.

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Posted nov 28, 2007 7:32 am pt

• [+] New York Post
  
  100
  Denzel Washington dazzles in his best screen performance to date as Frank Lucas.

  by Lou Lumenick | Read Full Review »
• [+] Chicago Sun-Times
  
  100
  This is an engrossing story, told smoothly and well, and Russell Crowe's contribution is enormous.

  by Roger Ebert | Read Full Review »
• [+] Los Angeles Times
  
  90
  Finely made and richly satisfying film.

  by Kenneth Turan | Read Full Review »
• [+] Washington Post
  
  90
  It has the aspirations of an epic of crime and punishment, a superb feel for time and milieu, and an almost subliminal feel for myth.

  by Stephen Hunter | Read Full Review »
• [+] Austin Chronicle
  
  89
  Crowe has rarely been better, and the same goes for director Scott, who parallels and then dovetails Lucas and Roberts' stories with sublime, gritty precision, working up to a magnificent "Godfather III"-style crosscutting sequence that electrifies an already explosive tale.

  by Marc Savlov | Read Full Review »
• [+] Rolling Stone
  
  88
  Call it the black "Scarface" or "the Harlem Godfather" or just one hell of an exciting movie.

  by Peter Travers | Read Full Review »
• [+] Miami Herald
  
  88
  What American Gangster does have -- what makes it such a commanding, exhilarating movie -- is a consummate love and understanding of story.

  by Rene Rodriguez | Read Full Review »
• [+] USA Today
  
  88
  The movie, based on a true story, takes surprising twists and turns right up to its chilling ending and is probably the best gangster crime drama of the year.

  by Claudia Puig | Read Full Review »
• [+] Portland Oregonian
  
  83
  This impressive film feels more like a display, if an often dazzling one, than a genuine experience.

  by Shawn Levy | Read Full Review »
• [+] Seattle Post-Intelligencer
  
  83
  A riveting piece of movie storytelling, mounted with a genuinely epic flair, shot and edited in a no-nonsense, classic style.

  by William Arnold | Read Full Review »
• [+] The Onion (A.V. Club)
  
  83
  Only Washington stands out; he's charming, intense, and charismatic as ever.

  by Tasha Robinson | Read Full Review »
• [+] Wall Street Journal
  
  80
  In the end, though, the success of American Gangster doesn't flow from the originality of its ideas, or its bid for epic status, as much as from its craftsmanship and confident professionalism. It's a great big gangster film, and a good one.

  by Joe Morgenstern | Read Full Review »
• [+] The Hollywood Reporter
  
  80
  It's workmanlike and engrossing, but what sticks in the mind are Frank and Richie, not what anybody does.

  by Kirk Honeycutt | Read Full Review »
• [+] Variety
  
  80
  Absorbing, exciting at times and undeniably entertaining, and is poised to be a major commercial hit. But great it's not.

  by Todd McCarthy | Read Full Review »
• [+] The New Yorker
  
  80
  The pace of the movie is rapid, almost hectic, the touch glancing. Until the confrontation between Frank and Richie at the end, nothing stays on the screen for long, although Scott, working in the street, or in clubs and at parties, packs as much as he can into the corners of shots, and shapes even the most casual scenes decisively.

  by David Denby | Read Full Review »