American Gangster (HD DVD, 2008)

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 !!

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!

Great Movie! Loved how it was action packed + drama packed. If you have not seen this movie yet, you must see it. Denzel Washington is a great actor.
To sum it up I believe this is an excellent telling of a true crime story. It's intriguing, entertaining, and certainly serves as a cautionary reminder to remain vigilant in combating drugs.
The film leaves you wanting to know more about about happened to the lead characters. You care about them that much. Now *that's* film making.
The drama is less than expected but the movie is very well paced and it never gets boring even if it lasts more than two hours. Everything fits perfectly and there is an excellent antithetical presentation of the wealthy life of Frank Lucas opposite to the lives that he's drugs ruin every day, every hour, every minute...

Another should of been Oscar performance for Denzel Washington. Especially after seeing the Oscars, why wasn't he nominated. Denzel is the consimate performer worthy of a nomination for each film he does. I understand that the real Frank Lucas stated that he was portrayed much nicer than he actually was back then. If so, then he was a ruthless to the Nth degree. As for all films with Denzel Washington in them, it's worth seeing. I wish I went to the theater to see it.