American Gangster (2007)

Overall rating from 1 to 100: 74

O Masterpiece (100)
O Excellent (75-99)
X Rental (60-74)
O OK (50-59)
O Mediocrity (30-49)
O Avoid (1-29)

Mini Review by Jason Pyles / November 10, 2007

Don't expect “The Departed” (2006) or “Goodfellas” (1990) ... because Martin Scorsese Ridley Scott ain't. Even so, “American Gangster” is admirable, as is Ridley Scott.

Much like “The Mexican” (2001), this film's two headliners, Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, spend most of the movie apart, which is unfortunate.

Also, Ridley Scott has no qualms with taking his time (not always a bad thing). See “Alien” (1979). For this reason, this based-on-a-true-story gangster film builds more like a smoldering drama than an action thriller.

But “American Gangster” convincingly evokes Harlem in the late '60s and '70s, telling the involving story of fearsome Frank Lucas' illicit "business" empire.

Directed by Ridley Scott
Denzel Washington / Russell Crowe / Josh Brolin
157 min. Crime / Drama
MPPA: R (for violence, pervasive drug content and language, nudity and sexuality)

Copyright 2007. 208