American Gangster (2007)

American Gangster: Directed by Ridley Scott. With Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin. An outcast New York City cop is charged with bringing down Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, whose real life inspired this partly biographical film.

“Ridley Scottu0026#39;s new flick American Gangster was a good one. Though Im not gonna be saying itu0026#39;s the best film of the year or anything like that. It was directed well, barely any dull scenes, great acting by an enormous cast and was really well-written. Unfortunately the story never seemed u0026quot;newu0026quot; to me. I was reminded of other drug-related/crime movies, like BLOW, CITY OF GOD, and evening TRAINING DAY…..u0026quot;My Manu0026quot;. Though itu0026#39;s in the leagues as being entertaining as the above mentioned movies, it really just never felt like I was watching a u0026quot;newu0026quot; story. But speaking of story, I never knew anything about Frank Lucas, and his story is fantastic. A black man who was more influential than his Mafian brethren? Tell me youu0026#39;re kidding. Nope, he was a force in Harlem back in the late 60s and early 70s and barely anyone knows about it. But for me this area of the film was the only stand out part. Sure there are other good scenes, done well, but nothing worth mentioning. Well, scratch that, naked women workin in a drug lab was an eye-opening scene.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDenzel Washington won the Oscar when he portrayed the crooked cop in Training Day who said u0026quot;My Manu0026quot; all the time. Well, in the American Gangster you got him saying this line again, and by God does he have it down. There are scenes when you know heu0026#39;s gonna say it, and he still pulls it off incredibly well. Denzel is one actor you really never have to worry about it in the acting department. Youu0026#39;ve got Russell u0026quot;Mr. Oscaru0026quot; Crowe playing the other lead, and like always, he always has the character down. He was great in this flick, the accent, the mannerisms, all of it. Though, his characteru0026#39;s story was interesting in that he was in charge of the case to figure out who the big boy druglords were, his side story with his wife was for me the u0026quot;dullu0026quot; parts of the film. They were well-acted and all that, but mostly, it was just character development that isnu0026#39;t needed. Russell Croweu0026#39;s good enough an actor to portray a struggling cop without a family problem. And also let me say Josh Brolin as the crooked cop was great. I didnu0026#39;t need a side-story of him doing tons of drugs and banging prostitutes….but ya know he was doing it.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAmerican Gangster was a really good flick. It had amazing acting mixed with scenes that shed a new light on drug-trafficking….or should I say Old light. Though since there are so many other drug/crime cop films out there it seems a little been there done that. But donu0026#39;t let that sway you if you enjoy good movies and or crime films. And also, Frank Lucas is one hell of an interesting personality. My man. 8.5 outta 10”