Mobsters in Vegas, as filtered through the ice-cold sensibilities of Martin Scorsese...

Rating: 6/10 (4 December 2005)

From Nicholas Pileggi's factual book about a mobster's immorality and downfall in Las Vegas, NV from 1973 to 1983. Despite sweeping cinematography and palpable evil at nearly every plot-turn, "Casino" seems a "Goodfellas" retread. Robert De Niro is predictably good in the lead, but Joe Pesci, as De Niro's surly back-up, does nothing new and Sharon Stone, as De Niro's wife, is just the 'token woman', trying to build a character without much genuine material to work with (she's satisfactory). Director Martin Scorsese seems more interested in his characters' actions than their motivations, causing some confusion in the story and leaving many questions unanswered by the end. The film is fast-paced and entertaining, but it doesn't leave a heady imprint behind, and some of the violence verges on self-parody. **1/2 from ****