American Gangster Extended Edition [2007]

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
A slow burning, yet entirely gripping, mobster film, American Gangster pits Denzel Washington’s Frank Lucas against Russell Crowe’s law enforcer Richie Roberts. Spread over a necessarily prolonged running time, their story is then brutally, expertly, told.

And while American Gangster isn’t in the league of prime Scorsese and Coppolla classics (such as Goodfellas and The Godfather), it’s the nearest we’ve come in quite some time to something of that ilk. It’s all based on a true story, which does mean you need to forgive it some of its obvious narrative conventions, yet this also lends it a gravitas that the film eagerly makes the most of.

It’s great too to see British director Ridley Scott tackling meatier material again. This is the man, after all, who gave us Blade Runner, Alien and Gladiator, and he duly delivers with American Gangster. His finest work it isn’t, but an engrossing, explosive and hard-as-nails drama it absolutely is.

What’s more, American Gangster is powered by two of the finest leading man working in Hollywood right now, and it’s terrific to see Washington and Crowe on top form here. And while in cinematic terms it’s hardly a film that treads new ground, it’s nonetheless a proper, grown-up and engrossing movie, and a very good one at that. --Jon Foster

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-11-03 rating:
A fine film with fine performances by the two lead actors
I found the first 55 minutes a touch slow at times, but from there on I was glued to the film, based on the true story of Frank Lucas a drug lord in New York.

Russell Crowe in particular is as usual in fine form, with a good performance from Denzel Washington too.

I've been looking forwards to watching this film since I first heard about it and for me it does not disappoint, I've read on another review stating that the story is preditable, but this is after all a true story, how else are you supposed to portray a true story?, putting things in that did not happen?, after all with a film like this there's really only 2 or 3 ways that this could ever turn out anyway!!

A good amount of action, but it's by no means full of it, Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington only come together toward the end of the film for a few scenes, it's not like De Niro and Pacino in Heat, but it's still a good watch all the same.

On this DVD you have the option to watch 2 versions, the theatrical version which is 143 minutes long or an extended version at 161 minutes, I've only watched the extended cut thus far, it does warn you though that you may not be able to play the extended version, I have a Philips DVD player DVP3120 and this played with no problems at all.

Overall well worth watching, I really enjoyed it.

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review by: date: 2008-10-12 rating:
One of the best gangster films ever
This film tells the true story of Frank Lucas, an African-American gangster. After spending fifteen years as the driver for Harlem crime lord "Bumpy" Johnson, Lucas ascends to the leadership of a medium sized African-American gang. He is a big thinker, and plans to drive all other gangs out of business by offering the heroin addicts of New York pure grade heroin. He uses his contacts in the US military to smuggle purest grade heroin out of South East Asia into the US, by smuggling it in the coffins of dead US servicemen being flown back from the ongoing Vietnam war. It doesn't take long for Lucas to become one of New York's most feared underworld figures, and the authorities ability to deal with him is complicated by two things - firstly, they cannot find out exactly how he is getting such pure grade heroin into the US. Secondly, internal corruption is so rampant in the NYPD, that an investigation would be comprimised.

This however draws the attention of a detective, played by Russell Crowe. The detective has many vices, chief amongst them womanising. However, he is "untouchable", and cannot be bribed or bought off, a 1960s Elliott Ness. Indeed, to counter the rampant corruption of the NYPD, Crowe sets up an unit of cops who are known to be incorruptible, and they lead an investigation into Lucas. However, crooked cops attempt to interfere, and Lucas' gang fight back hard. The film then becomes more and more tense.

The film is excellent, easily comparable to films in the genre like "Goodfellas". Denzel Washington is masterful as Frank Lucas, and Lucas' character is a mixture of John Shaft, Gordon Gecko and Al Pacino. The plot is exciting and credible. One point of note is the very vivid portrayals of heroin needle use. Indeed, there are frequent close ups of injections, so if you are squeamish, watch out. This film is definitely one of the best I have seen. It also has a great soundtrack of 1960s music, and its signature track Bobby Womack's "Across110th Street" is a perfect mood setter for this film. Must see!

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review by: date: 2008-09-28 rating:
Harlem Globetrotter
"American Gangster" is an entertaining film based on a true story about how a black New York gangster,played by Denzil Washington, who controls a large drug empire is brought to justice by a determined, incorruptable cop played by Russell Crowe. Washington builds his trade upon exclusive access to a South East Asian source and links with the US military who assist with his shipments. His rise seemingly goes unnoticed until he falls under the attention of Crowe's team. It is refreshing to watch a non Italian mafia based gangster film and Crowe and Washington act their leading roles well, although at times Washington seems to lack the nastiness and menace one might expect to find in a ruthless drug lord.The film is gripping to watch and the plot develops well building to a dramatic climax. There are a few brutal scenes , but overall "American Gangster" is a good quality ,intelligent drama.

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review by: diaz date: 2008-08-24 rating:
rubish
this movie is so lie and wanted copy from scarface movie.the actor(washington) cant play the role of gangster,he dont like italian or
latina.so rubishhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,just nice soundtrack.


review by: David H date: 2008-08-23 rating:
Solid and intriguing
We have become accustomed to Ridley Scott films that are visually stimulating and beautifully shot. American Gangster does not disappoint in this respect. The integration of newsreel footage of seminal moments of the late 60s/early 70s adds the necessary atmosphere and anchors the prevailing attitudes of the time.

My lasting impression, however, is of an underboiled characterisation of both the Washington and Crowe roles. Obviously under director's orders, they give straight performances but without any overt presence. Washington is normally assertive and compelling - here he is not allowed to do this, or not in a way that is endearing. Crowe, as an honest cop in a dishonest force, is also understated, less driven and more matter of fact. It is a shame that I did not feel any empathy with either character, though I remained interested in the story and its denounement.

The movie is interesting and I recommend it to anyone.

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