American Gangster (DVD, 2008, 2-Disc Set)

A sprawling mob epic that clearly wants to be a Harlem Scarface, Ridley Scott's gangster flick aims high and mostly measures up. Ambitious, engaging and occasionally even gripping, it never adds much to the genre — but it knows how to stroke genre tropes till they tremble.

Denzel Washington is strong and reasonably persuasive as Frank Lucas, a '70s dope king who, if the movie's version of this torn-from-magazine-headlines tale is accurate, got the bright idea of bribing servicemen to fly thousands of pounds of heroin stateside from Vietnam during combat operations, as if the U.S. military was his own personal FedEx.

An initially outmatched narcotics agent (Russell Crowe) struggles to make minor inroads, which eventually lead to a surprisingly big payoff. Director Scott crosscuts between their stories, mining them for ironic parallels — the gangster's a family man, the cop's a deadbeat dad, both men are principled in their divergent ways — and if the result isn't an instant classic, it's never less than engrossing.

I have always loved gangster movies. I love Goodfellas, The Godfather, The Departed, and so on. American Gangster now enters that mix, as one of the best gangster movies of all time. Denzel Washington plays the heroin dealer who travels to Vietnam to find the best heroin for the cheapest amount of money. By cutting out the middle man, he offers the best product for the least amount of money, thus eliminating his competition who can't compete with him. All the while, he is gathering enemies on both sides of the law. The only problem is that no one knows who he is, until he decides to show up at the Fight of the Century with the best seats in the house, sporting a mink jacket and hat, while talking to other gangsters. That gives law enforcement agents some insight into who The Kingpin is. Russell Crowe plays the agent who heads the team to try to take down Denzel.

I'm not one to give away too much, but it is definitely one of my favorite gangster movies (which means it is one of my favorite movies). Crowe and Washington give absolutely superb performances, and it's confusing why they were snubbed at the Oscars (as was director Ridley Scott). I definitely recommend this movie, especially if you like gangster movies. If you like any of the movies I referred to (Goodfellas, Departed, The Godfather), you'll love this one as well.

American Gangster will fall in line with such greats as the Godfather and Goodfellas! An automatic hit! Don't look for a training day or scarface, it has less violence, more info, an educated film like the Godfather. It was worth every penny and its a must own when released on DVD.

American Gangster" is an excellent film. I found it to be immensely entertaining. The pacing is great, the musical score was good to listen to, and the dialogue is sharp makes the film feel very energetic, even though there is not much action in it. It is not a pulse-pounding thriller, but it is still worth checking out. It is great seeing Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe on screen together, even though it didn't happen until the end of the film. I also think the scene that Washington and Crowe do share in the interrogation room will go down as a classic movie moment. Watching it gave me goosebumps.

OVERALL
9/10

THIS IS A MUST BUY!

It's in Denzel Washington's eyes throughout Ridley Scott's 'American Gangster' (UNRATED), that derives a mesmerizing slice of Urban Historical Grit. Based Upon a True Story; Washington is playing Frank Lucas, a Real-Life Crime Boss who for a period lasting from the late 1960s into the following decade ran Manhattan "From 110th to 155th, River to River."
A slick character who doesn't need to strut his worth on the streets, Lucas hates flash like a junkie hates rehab; reminding him of all he truly is but doesn't want to be. Facing off against him is New Jersey Narc Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), a womanizing tough guy with a short fuse but a heart of gold. In a Big-City Police Department in the 1970s, boy scout behavior like his could just get you killed — a guy not on the take is seen as the guy who could very well "sell you down the river" when the Grand Jury comes sniffing around.
Scott has a powerhouse going here, tossing these two Hollywood Heavyweights into the ring and letting them play Cops and Robbers; while he slathers on the period detail with a trowel.
Phenominal character actors flood the scenes as well; adding to the cinematic foreplay; (Idris Elba, Jon Polito, Kevin Corrigan, an incredibly sleazy Josh Brolin, and so on). With the specter of Vietnam playing on every television in sight; the Era of 70's plays hard while we also wrap-up in the odd enjoyment one gets from watching Police in the Pre-Militarized, Pre-SWAT days take down apartments with just revolvers, the occasional shotgun, and a sledgehammer to smash down the doors.
Scott's smart enough to let the story cohere organically; without rush, keeping his main contenders apart for as long as possible; creating fully developed characters in their own right and not just developed in opposition to the other.
The film is evenly divided between the Cop's and the Robber's Stories as they come arcing toward each other; but clearly stays the tale of Frank Lucas (the movie's not called 'American Narcotics Detective'), and as one of the most notorious and fascinating Gangsters in American History, Denzel delivers.
Lucas was a country boy from the Carolinas who came up to New York and worked as driver and bodyguard for revered and feared Harlem Crime Lord Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, one of the last of the Great Underworld Bosses. Bumpy taught Lucas everything he knew, so that when he died of a heart attack in 1968, Lucas was ready to take the reins. He almost immediately upset the Mafia, who supplied drugs to "Bumpy", by importing Heroin of unheard purity straight from Southeast Asia and selling it for cheaper than the competition, ultimately doing the criminally unthinkable by becoming the Mafia's supplier.
It's an astoundingly gutsy move, particularly given the array of Corruption and Mafia that arrayed against him, but Denzel's got Lucas' grim determination down cold, and the whole paradigm-shifting event (which included secretly importing the Heroin in the coffins of Dead American Soldiers from Vietnam), an act so perverse, it's hard to swallow.
Crowe is able to play the conflicted hard-case hero with superb élan until he's dragged off the stage. But Denzel has a cold steeliness in his expression that rarely wavers.
While 'Scarface' still holds the American Cinema captive as "Classic"; 'American Gangster' is the next closest thing to it's success; but can't quite reach 'Scarface's' overrall impact. Could anything, though?
Great Film !! SEE THIS !!

DENZEL ALWAYS PLAYED GOOD GUYS; BUT THIS IS THE BADDEST GREAT MOVIE EVER MADE~YOU CAN'T MISS IT. SEE IT!!!!

First off, let me just say that if you liked Gangs of New York, you're going to really like American Gangster. But even if you didn't, you still might like this almost cliche movie. The movie begins with Frank Lucas (Denzel) being forced to fill in his bosses shoes after his sudden death. Meanwhile, a cop considered too moral for the force is commissioned to stop the spread of a new drug distributor that names their product, "Blue Magic." The movie is filled with values, action, and suspense, but a more classic suspense such as the ones experience in Gangs of New York (no giant explosions or flying dead corpses).

I am a Fan, to begin this review, of Densel Washington and Russel Crow they approach each role in any movie they perform in with refreshing points of view.I absolutely "LOVED" this Movie. I enjoy the fact Densel does a Great Bad guy role and shows the Multi-faceted personality involved with going so wrong as a Human Being,the stretch some one has to make to rationalise the killings and selling of illegal substances to bring it down in thier own minds to doing "simple" business deals makes me wonder'' How you do that Denzel''Russel Crow plays this Bulldog of a Cop to get the Goods..again I say"How'd you do that"I am amazed by both Actors they are the True Greats of Our time and any chance to see both these Men in any future colaboration will be much awaited for.Loved this Movie Wonderful Actting..and great ensemble casts too..Watch it evolve..its the total flick for a group of friends doing a stay-in night,opens conversations..and hey shouldn't we all "think" after we see a Movie??Love it!!Complicated Characters and Twists and Turns...

good movie liked it alot denzel was great
American Gangster is an Academy Award nominated 2007 crime film written by Steve Zaillian and directed by Ridley Scott. The movie stars Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Washington portrays Frank Lucas, a real-life heroin kingpin from Harlem who smuggled heroin into the US on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War. Crowe portrays Richie Roberts, a detective attempting to bring down Lucas' drug empire.[2] Filming was done on location in New York City. American Gangster was released in the United States and Canada on November 2, 2007.



!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This movie is a true classic. The Godfather of its time. Washington and Crowe put on a spectactular performance. Action at every point and a great drama. One of my top 5 favorite movies.

This long film is completely riveting and in a way far different than the usual gangster film: this story tells us a lot about the narrow line between crime and criminal investigation. Ridley Scott has created an American movie masterpiece. An amazing group of actors, headlined by Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe, produces a very convincing period piece of 1970s New Jersey and New York and the crime culture that existed there. It's hard to feel anything but shame watching this movie. This movie is so believable that makes it more tragic.

True but still a really good movie...and long..reeeeaaally long close to 3 hours...Denzel Washington is great as Frank Lucas..the movie did (even with all the action) get a little boring in spots..I loved how the story ended..I think all Gangster movies should have a positive ending..movie fans especially fans of Gangster movies will want to see this one..

Heard alot about this movie and had to see it for myself-well worth the wait very good Danzel Washington was great in this movie

BASE ON TRUE EVENTS POLICE CORRUPTION SCANDAL.THE STORY OF THE RISE AND FALL OF A DRUG DEALER.DENZEL WASHINGTON IS EXCELLENT AS ALWAYS IN HIS PERFORMANCE.IF YOU LIKE ACTION GANGSTER MOVIES THIS IS A MUST SEE.

It was a good movie , I bought it as a gift for a friend that has trouble getting out , it was something that we had seen on the history channel , the movie was quite accurate going by the story that was presented on tv

I think what makes this movie good is knowing it was based on a true story. Otherwise it may just seem like another "gangster" movie. The movie starts off a little and didn't really grab my attention until about a quarter of the way through. Too much hype had me expecting more than what I got.

GREAT ACTING GREAT MOVIE OVERALL. GOOD STORYLINE. I THINK DENZEL WAS A GREAT CHOICE FOR THE LEAD I NTHIS MOVIE. HE MAKES THE ROLE TRULY HIS.

I really thought this movie would be a disappointment to me but I was wrong. Very well acted out and great.

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Washington delivers another excellent performance and Crowe is not far behind. This true story is an excellent look at a cop who should be an inspiration to all cops.

Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe have done an excellent job recreating this true story..I got it for hubby as he had never seen it and he LOVED it enough I think he has watched it like 8 times already. If your looking to see a true story or just wanna see a gansta movie.. this one is it..Full of action from the start to finish.

Great movie, great price! Very complex story based on Frank Lucas in the 1970's and his heroin empires rise and fall by one dedicated policeman.

This movie was on the edge of your seat action, with a exciting plot. The director has hit a homerun with the mix of talent contained in this movie!! I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants a action/thriller movie which is similar to the Sopranos!!

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