Took in the much ballyhooed American Gangster on Saturday. I was hoping for something awesome along the lines of Heat, another cops and robbers story with two high voltage names sparring in the plotline until the final showdown. Both have much respect for Denzel and Russell Crowe for their ability to be captivating even if the rest of the movie stinks (i.e. Deja Vu).
I still think it's worth seeing, but there was something that stopped AG short of great, to just merely good. I read some review that said the filmmakers seemed a little too in love with the bad guy, played by Denzel. It's one thing to be intrigued by the heart of darkness in the villain, but I think my sense of justice wants somebody that evil to get some sort of comeuppance by the end, otherwise it feels like the evil is too glamorized.
But, I didn't like Heat, either, until after multiple viewings. AG is still worth watching, if you're into it. I think I might have enjoyed Gone Baby Gone or The Darjeeling Limited, more.
Top 5 Denzel movies I like better than AG:
- Inside Man
- Training Day
- Crimson Tide
- Malcolm X
- Remember the Titans
Top 5 Russell Crowe movies I like more than AG:
- L.A. Confidential
- 3:10 to Yuma
- Master and Commander
- Gladiator
- A Beautiful Mind
