just as horrific as anything Orwell ever created

Rating: 8/10 (5 February 2007)

When I first Say Gangs of New York, the film caused me to be sickened at so many levels. The treatment of women was disturbing. The treatment of the immigrants was disturbing. The horror and the poverty of that time and place was conveyed on such a visceral level. The battle scene in particul needs a mention.
The battle in its self is one that is quite different than the LOTR battles often depicted. Rather, we see a chaotic battlefield in which all one can do is slash at anything nearby that moves. The fact that Martian decided to use the techno music, while it might not've added much, it was made very well to fit the mood. Must of all, the sight of the kids watching the battle was something that made me realize how such kids might carry on the cycle of violence.
So much praise has been reaped on Daniel Lewis, so I don't think I can add much. However, I will dutifully acknowledge that watching him chew up the scenery was the high point of the movie.
The movie's length served the movie well, I thought. Even subplots like the election that might not've added much to the movie did help create the mood.
the movie did have a few things the I didn't care for. The whole thing with Bill having a crystal eye was confusing and slightly unrealistic. Diaz's character really only served as a love interest. Worst of all, the ending was not nearly as climactic as the rest of the movie had led up to. All and all though, trulely a masterpiece of modern cinema.