Brilliant, captivating, exciting

Rating: 9/10 (27 March 2009)

I saw this movie about five years ago, and watched it again in 2009 on a whim. I was pleasantly reminded of why I had such great memories of it to begin with.
Leo shows us again why he's a great leading man, as a young Irish immigrant seeking to avenge his father's death. Daniel Day-Lewis instilled fear at every moment, and convinced me to check out his other work. Knives, guns, and blunt objects are abound as immigrants and "natives" clash. It's funny how much this movie exposes those that think they are the "true American natives" when really, everyone was an immigrant at one point.
I also enjoyed how three different people were praying to the same God for polar-opposite intentions. It showed how God can be used as an excuse for... anything, including battle (sound familiar?).
Overall, this movie was stellar. It was exciting at almost all times and exposed the grimy, ruthless side of 1860's NYC. 9/10