Generic Cops and Robbers

Rating: 3/10 (4 November 2007)

This is a generic, throwaway cops-and-robbers movie whose only memorable feature is the charismatic presence of Denzel Wasington as a Harlem drug lord. It takes the overly familiar formula of juxtaposing the life of a super criminal against the elaborate investigation of a dedicated and untouchable law enforcement officer (in this case, a forgettable Russell Crowe), essentially giving you two movies in one until the investigation and the crook go head to head.
The problem is, neither movie is all that interesting, taking formulaic routes that we've seen a million times before. The only real result of giving equal prominence to the cop and the robber is that you wind up with an interminable running time.
Both Washington and Crowe give performances that are reminiscent of roles that you've seen them in before (Washington in "Training Day" and Crowe in "LA Confidential") and if you have a hankering to see those actors, either of those earlier films would be a better use of your time (although the far-fetched "Training Day" is only superior by a nose to "American Gangster," and then only because of Washington's riveting performance). If there is a competition between the two stars in this film, Washington wins hands-down even though this is just a retread of material that isn't really worthy of either one of them.