Gangs of New York Movie Review
"It's a funny feeling being taken under the wing of a dragon. It's warmer than you'd think."
-Amsterdam Vallon
-Amsterdam Vallon
Next on the Scorsese list was Gangs of New York. Honestly I didn't even bother reading a synopsis for this movie because A. I wanted to be surprised and B. I heard such good things about this movie I figured it was about time I'd watch it. It was so much different than I thought it would be, simply because it took place in the mid 1800's when I thought it took place in the 21st century. After getting over that initial hump it was easy enough to get comfortable with the film. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Amsterdam Vallon, Daniel Day-Lewis as Bill Cutting, and Cameron Diaz as Jenny Everdeane.
The start of this film is epic with an all out battle to the death between the Natives of New York led by Bill "The Butcher" Cutting and the Irish immigrants led by "Priest" Vallon (Liam Neeson). The battle concludes with Cutting killing Vallon in front of his own son. Cutting outlaws any of Vallons followers who called themselves the Dead Rabbits but insists that Vallon be buried with respect and honor. The Priest's son Amsterdam is then sent to an orphanage where he is raised.
Sixteen years later Amsterdam returns to the Five Points as a young adult where no one recognizes him. He meets up with a friend from his childhood who introduces him to Bill Cutting, who still runs the town. Amsterdam finds out that Cutting celebrates his victory over the Dead Rabbits every year and plots to avenge his father on that very day. This is incredibly difficult though since many of the men that were loyal to the Priest now work under Cutter. Amsterdam begins to make his way into Cutter's inner circle where he begins to earn his trust.
This film is based on the non-fiction book of the same title and depicts real people and events. So whether you know it by now or not I am a huge Leo fan and I loved his performance in Gangs of New York. He becomes Amsterdam Vallon so naturally and works well with the great script. When Scorsese and DiCaprio work together it is fair to expect great things. The supporting cast was also great with the likes of John C. Riley and Cameron Diaz. Diaz serves as the complicated love interest shared between both our main characters. Vallon is a complex character with personal gain pulling one way and vengeance pulling the other.
As good as Vallon is he does eventually slip up and shit hits the fan. It's exhilarating to see the back and forth between Leo and Daniel Day-Lewis, two phenomenal performers. The road to the epic showdown is great and full of lots of blood shed, on both sides. If I were to have one complaint it would be that it was nearly a three hour movie. Other than that I loved it. The set was great, the script was intriguing, and the actors involved were at their bests. If you're willing to sit through 160 minutes of a kick-ass movie I suggest you watch Gangs of New York. Oh and watch out for the gore! I give this movie an 8.5 out of 10!
The start of this film is epic with an all out battle to the death between the Natives of New York led by Bill "The Butcher" Cutting and the Irish immigrants led by "Priest" Vallon (Liam Neeson). The battle concludes with Cutting killing Vallon in front of his own son. Cutting outlaws any of Vallons followers who called themselves the Dead Rabbits but insists that Vallon be buried with respect and honor. The Priest's son Amsterdam is then sent to an orphanage where he is raised.
Sixteen years later Amsterdam returns to the Five Points as a young adult where no one recognizes him. He meets up with a friend from his childhood who introduces him to Bill Cutting, who still runs the town. Amsterdam finds out that Cutting celebrates his victory over the Dead Rabbits every year and plots to avenge his father on that very day. This is incredibly difficult though since many of the men that were loyal to the Priest now work under Cutter. Amsterdam begins to make his way into Cutter's inner circle where he begins to earn his trust.
This film is based on the non-fiction book of the same title and depicts real people and events. So whether you know it by now or not I am a huge Leo fan and I loved his performance in Gangs of New York. He becomes Amsterdam Vallon so naturally and works well with the great script. When Scorsese and DiCaprio work together it is fair to expect great things. The supporting cast was also great with the likes of John C. Riley and Cameron Diaz. Diaz serves as the complicated love interest shared between both our main characters. Vallon is a complex character with personal gain pulling one way and vengeance pulling the other.
As good as Vallon is he does eventually slip up and shit hits the fan. It's exhilarating to see the back and forth between Leo and Daniel Day-Lewis, two phenomenal performers. The road to the epic showdown is great and full of lots of blood shed, on both sides. If I were to have one complaint it would be that it was nearly a three hour movie. Other than that I loved it. The set was great, the script was intriguing, and the actors involved were at their bests. If you're willing to sit through 160 minutes of a kick-ass movie I suggest you watch Gangs of New York. Oh and watch out for the gore! I give this movie an 8.5 out of 10!
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