If only this movie knew what it wanted to be

Rating: Null/10 (26 December 2002)

Scorsese is sometimes called "America's Great Director." It's just too bad that his past few films really have been misses instead of hits. Much like "Bringing Out the Dead" "Gangs in New York" is misguided. The story is set around a war between the natives (people born in America) and the Irish who have just come off the boat. They battle for control of 5 points. But what for? I never really got an answer other than respect or control over an area. Well, then why not make this film in 1980's and make them punk gangs. Because there are too many issues introduced from a historical standpoint that smokescreen the point of the film.
You can tell by the first battle scene that something is very wrong with this movie. Both groups have swords and clubs like some medieval battle, but the first couple of people who are cut down no blood is shown. Why not? It is an R rated film. Infact for all of the people killed the blood should have soaked the ground. The blood against the snow would have been a good idea, but it is shown as barely a pink color. Some films are great with an opening battle scene: Braveheart, Gladiator, and Saving Private Ryan. This one is very uneventful other than to set out the main character's revenge trail.
The film is set against the draft of the Civil War, slavery, immigration problems and all the things New Yorkers had to deal with during the Civil War. Basically too many issues to have for one movie, at least not a 3 hour movie-- more like a 5 hour. So already the film is full with those issues, now, throw in a revenge and love story. Is that too much? How about a riot with Union Soldiers interrupting the final battle scene? How about an election for public office? Oh what's this movie about again? Who knows. I spent some time after seeing it and wondered if this was some project that was forced to be made because of all the post-production put into it. It was shot almost 2 years ago. This movie reminds us that if something sits on the shelf too long that should have been forgotten.
My advice to anyone planning to spend the money on watching this film is to go to a library and read up on early American History, perhaps then you will be able to make more sense than this film did. There are too many issues to pay attention to and it distracts from what could have been a great movie. Better luck next Scorsese.