Gangs of New York

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Martin Scorsese
Starring:	Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz
Release date:	03 November, 2004
List price:	~~$19.99~~
Our price:	$14.05 that is 30% off!

Gangs of New York

Average rating:

Forget the naysayers, this film is a masterpiece

From the time of it's release, Gangs of New York was destined to be a critically underrated film. And despite the fact it was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, it didn't win a single one, losing in most categories to Chicago (Miramax's other big budget juggernaut). However, deep within the film's flesh and bones, director Martin Scorsese has crafted a cinematic masterpiece with one of the finest cast's I've seen in a long time. Leonardo DiCaprio, no matter what anyone might say or think about him, perfectly fits the part of Amsterdam Valon; who as a youth witnessed his gang leading father (Liam Neeson) get killed by the brutal Bill "The Butcher" Cutting (an Oscar nominated Daniel Day-Lewis). Years later, Amsterdam returns to New York and becomes a protege of Cutting's; while all the while keeping the memory of his father's demise. Cameron Diaz is on board here as well as a pick pocket who catches Amsterdam's eye, and she does a much better job here than she has been given credit for. Brendan Gleeson, Henry Thomas, and John C. Reilly are on board as well in smaller roles and give good performances, although it feels as if Reilly is a bit underused considering how good an actor he is. Daniel Day-Lewis steals the entire film with his brutally convincing performance, which is his best in years. Yes, Gangs of New York is a bloody and violent film, but nowhere near the excessive violence and gore of some past films which have been regarded as modern day classics. All in all, Gangs of New York is an underrated modern day masterpiece that displays the film's marketing tagline: "America Was Born in the Streets".

Gangs of New York -

An amazing film

I have never like Leonardo DiCaprio. To me, he has never been what I would call an actor. They certainly could have found someone better to play his part. But he did an alright job. I'll give him that.

2. Daniel Day Lewis stole the entire film. Now there is an actor. I walk away from all of his films feeling satisfied. I wish he would have won that oscard but Adrien Brody did do a good job in the pianist so I can't complain

I thought this film had a well rounded cast. I even thought that Cameron Diaz did a good job but that is also because I have had a big crush on her since Theres something about Mary.

Finally, Martin Scorcese. What else can I say about him? Aside from spielberg, he's the best director around and this film just comfirms it.

I would recommend that you be your own judge when you see this film, don't go by what other people are saying. That's why they invented chocolate ice cream. Because not everybody likes vanilla.

- Gangs of New York

Potential classic overshadowed by controversy

Caught up in the scandal of attempting to "buy" votes during the Oscar through advertising, Gangs of New York is among Scorsese's finest pictures. A sprawling story that focuses on the gangs that ran New York during the 1850's, the primary focus is on a story of revenge and redemption (ironic given that few of the characters seem, on the surface, to have anything to redeem them). The film starts with a fight between two rival gangs one led by Bill "The Butcher" (Daniel Day-Lewis) and the other by "Priest" (Liam Neeson)a recent immigrant from Ireland. Priest is killed by The Butcher during the scuffle betwen their two groups. Witnessing the murder of his father is Priest's son (later played by Leonard DiCaprio). After being released from reform school, DiCaprio's character Amsterdam is bent on revenge. His goal is to get as close as possible to Bill before doing in his father's rival. What occurs, though, is a complex story where Amsterdam is torn between his duty to his father and his intense relationship with Bill.

The production design is splendid capturing the raw feel and taste of New York from the 19th century. Shot largely overseas, the production benefits from strong performances and, although the script is a bit uneven (what can you expect given that it passed through at least three writer's hands), it's on the whole fairly consistent.

The transfer is beautiful. It's among the best I've seen. The DVD comes loaded with extras including background on the film's real life inspiration. The sound mix is equally strong. It's a pity that more classic reissues aren't afforded this much attention. Although time will tell if Gangs ages as well as Marty's other films, Gangs is his strongest, most consistent and powerful films in years.

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