American Gangster [HD DVD Combo Disc]

Reviewed by:
Gene Newman

Legendary director Ridley Scott pits Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe head-to-head in this epic movie based on a the true story of Harlem heroin kingpin Frank Lucas and Jersey cop Richie Roberts. Some people complained it was too long and slow—those people are idiots. It's not a balls-out action flick, so prepare yourself for an evenly paced overview of an era when the Vietnam war was raging, drug use was at an all-time high, and almost every New York cop was crooked. If anything, we think American Gangster should have been even longer because there's so much more story to tell (and the two-disc unrated special edition offers up 20 more minutes). It is shot so perfectly, it feels like a throwback to The French Connection, Serpico, and New Jack City all rolled into one. It does have some flaws and feels Hollywoody at times, which we're more than willing to overlook because of its intelligence and top shelf cast—stand-out performances from Josh Brolin, The RZA, Armand Assante, and Cuba Gooding Jr. are just the tip. Plus, lots of motherfuckers get dead and that's always a plus.

A fully-loaded 2-Disc unrated Special Edition is also available, which is probably a smarter purchase since HD DVDs are going the way of 70s gangsters.

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