worth watching, but not scorsese's strongest effort

Rating: 6/10 (12 March 2002)

I have just seen this movie for the second or third time. The movie is decent, but certainly not as good as Goodfelllas, taxi Driver or Raging Bull.
The movie starts out very strong - I like the first half a lot better than the second half of the movie. The last half kinda tails off, the plot becomes a little ridiculous and it is hardly about a casino at all.
The movie as usual with Scorsese movies is shot very well, and the acting is great even if DeNiro and Pesci are playing roles they've played before - especially Pesci who is virtually playing the same character he played in Goodfellas. Its always a treat to watch DeNiro act in these types of movies - even if he is rehashing old ground.
The movie kind of felt like Scorsese was trying to top Goodfellas but I think he ended up a little short. i give it a 6 out of 10.