American Gangster

Synopsis

An edgy crime drama based off of a true story of a Harlem drug lord, Frank Lucas. No one knew that a black man was at the top of the drug game during this era. For years this man sold the best product on the block until his capture.

Review

It’s reel, a black Tony Montana! Frank Lucas, is every bit reel!

This intense crime infected movie had me every bit interested in watching this film. We were graced with Academy award winner Denzel Washington (Training Day) and Academy award winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator). What more can I say?

Denzel played Frank Lucas, one of the largest druglords in Manhattan at the time. He was all about cutting out the middle man and getting the best product he could outside the US. He brought that product back, and sold it cheap on the street. It was called “Blue Magic” (not the hair product). It was genius. He monopolized the drug industry in NY and had the mafia twisted.

Frank started off a po’ uneducated kid from the South and moved to NY working as a driver/body guard for Bumpy Johnson, a black mobster that was the drug MAN at that time. Frank revered Bumpy and learned all that he could before Bumpy died un-expectantly and Frank took over the business. And boy, did he. He was smart, determined, and cold.

A great thing about this movie I liked, was the parallel story of the Detective Ritchie Roberts (Russell Crowe) who spent his every moment (other than smacking bellies with his Lawyer) chasing after Frank. Actually, he didn’t know who he was chasing at first. He just knew someone was out there selling Blue Magic and he was hungry to find out who was at the top of the drug ring. This was a great story that provided a tight supporting actor role. I noticed quite a few entertainers in the movie too, such as rappers T.I. and Common.

Well, whatever is whatever and the movie was good, but oh so long. I also did not feel like this was some great Oscar winning performance or role for Denzel like a lot of the other critics say. Hey, don’t get mad at me. I am just being reel. It wasn’t. I swear, anymore, to win an Oscar all you have to play is a reel life person.

My Rating ~ 3 Reels

Average Rating ~ What's Yours?