| Subcategories | Grade Level (feature_five_browse-bin) |
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 enlarge | Director: Ridley Scott
Actors: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Lymari Nadal
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.98
Buy Used: $3.43
You Save: $26.55 (89%)
New (76) Used (119) from $3.43
Rating:  196 reviews
Sales Rank: 1275
Format: Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 174 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: 61032280
UPC: 025193228024
EAN: 0025193228024
ASIN: B0011HOEY4
Theatrical Release Date: November 2, 2007
Release Date: February 19, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 196
Quite riveting with interesting comment on America September 9, 2008
Alan A. Elsner (Washington DC)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This movie weighs in at two hours and thirty eight minutes and for most of that time I was glued to the screen. It's a classic story of the lone honest cop tracking down the powerful gang boss, but with a twist.
Denzel Washington, mezmerizing as always, plays a man who builds a powerful drug trafficking empire, smuggling drugs direct from Vietnam using U.S. military personnel and planes to ship the pure heroin to the streets of New York. Washington loves his mama, dresses in expensive suits, looks after his family and pursues the American dream. He is also ruthless, prepared to shoot a rival in the head in the middle of a crowded Harlem street in broad daylight without fearing anyone would testify against him.
The twist is his character's assertion that what he is doing is nothing more or less than pure American capitalism. He has a business to run and he runs it. He becomes rich -- but that is no more than the legitimate and just reward for his enterprise. "This is America," he says at one point. And the fact is that the police, with the exception of the Russell Crowe character, are just as corrupt as the criminals, all on the take and making their own living from the drugs trade.
I should add here that I was a little nervous about watching this film because I have a low threshhold for screen violence. But there isn't much violence, those scenes that are included are necessary to the plot and the camera does not dwell on them too much.
The movie falters a little in its final 20 minutes which consist of an extended coda after the climactic scene. However, in general this is first-class entertainment which should also raise a few questions in viewers' minds as well.
 One of Denzel's Greatest! September 9, 2008
Jake Helton (Fort Payne, AL USA)
With these two actors, it's hard not to like! You will be surprised to find these two guys in a movie together for a while to come! Take the opportunity and grab this one while you can!
 A Great (True) Story, But Falls A Bit Flat On Film August 26, 2008
Zachary Koenig (Fergus Falls, MN)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If one were to focus strictly on plot/story when evaluating this film, it would easily receive five stars. Whether it be the U.S. military flying drugs out of Asia, the corruption of U.S. cops, or the almost surreal life of mobster Frank Lucas, all those real-life accounts are riveting, making one question how such things could possibly happen in our great country.
Yet, as portrayed in this film, those stories became quite overextended or overblown, as a result making this film seem like a documentary instead of real life-inspired drama. True, I did watch the Extended Edition, but I am confident that the 18-minute less Theatrical Edition would have improved things only slightly. The film moves along at a snails pace, which while probably necessary in order to portray all the complex emotions of the movie, still may make the viewer feel as though this is a marathon viewing.
Also, the acting in this film is pretty toned down as well. I'm not sure if this was because that was just what the real-life people were like, but either way it was underwhelming. The cool, intense Denzel Washington only comes out in glimpses, which is a shame in a movie that features so much of him. Only Russell Crowe's character shows great character development, and even that is not up to the standards of most dramas.
To conclude, then, this film was likely the best it possibly could have been...but still doesn't translate into compelling drama. The complex drug storyline is very interesting, but the movie's extremely long run time and mellow acting will often make you feel as if you have been watching forever.
Strong Acting Propels Familiar Crime Saga August 17, 2008
Scott Rivers (Los Angeles, CA USA)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
There's little new in director Ridley Scott's "American Gangster." However, the emphasis on characterization over violent action is refreshing. Denzel Washington gives a compelling performance as real-life Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, with Russell Crowe equally impressive as New Jersey detective Richie Roberts - the man determined to bring down Lucas' heroin empire. An excellent supporting cast features standout portrayals by Josh Brolin and Oscar-nominated Ruby Dee. Regardless of the predictable outcome, Scott manages to keep the pot boiling for 157 minutes. "American Gangster" does not rank with the classic crime epics, but remains a solid achievement.
Denzel commands the screen in an otherwise middling rise & fall tale August 6, 2008
Matthew J. Uhley (Phoenix, AZ)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Although decent, this movie could've used some tighter editing (Pietro Scalia is usually very dependable - what went wrong?) and a stronger overall story arc. There are some scenes of individual power - almost all of them involving Denzel Washington as the villain. But Russell Crowe's child custody subplot is unnecessary as they could've mentioned it in one scene or even a line and it would've had the same impact.
Plus, it lacks the scope and visceral shock of movies like the first two Godfather films or Goodfellas. There's nothing here you haven't really seen before (unless you're totally unfamiliar with the gangster genre) and no memorable/iconic sequences.
Ridley Scott should probably stick to directing sword & sandal epics or sci-fi thrillers because this doesn't play to his strengths. I'm not unhappy with the final result but I have no desire to see it again. You'd probably be better off renting it when you've got nothing else to do instead of buying the DVD.
STANDOUT: Josh Brolin as the corrupt Special Investigations Unit detective. His performance was appropriately slimy, intimidating and fascinating.
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