America Was Born on the Streets...

Rating: 10/10 (27 June 2007)

GANGS OF NEW YORK
**** stars out of 5 (8/10).
Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York" is powerful, poignant, and well-made. No, it doesn't hold ground with Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and most recently; The Departed. It doesn't matter, though, because this movie is a blast to watch.
Priest Vallon (LIAM NEESON) is killed in a gang street fight by Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting (DANIEL DAY-LEWIS). The priest's son Amsterdam (LEONARDO DiCAPRIO) grows up with the thought of killing Bill to avenge his father. At the time of his death, Amsterdam was only a small boy. As an adult he gains the trust of Bill, but keeps his mission in mind.
Now, this is only part of the movie. The plot makes a turn with about an hour of the film left to go, but I'll leave that for you to experience. This movie is about Civil War-era street gangs and how they helped shape the future America.
Martin Scorsese is one of the best directors who ever breathed, so it's hard not to like his movies. Once again, he is able to deliver a thoroughly entertaining picture while showing that violence leads to nowhere but grief and sadness. The direction is near flawless, the sets are terrific, the screenplay is wonderful, and the acting is superb. Daniel Day-Lewis gives the the best performance of the movie as Bill Cutting. He is frightening and he is very real. Leonardo DiCaprio, CAMERON DIAZ, and JOHN C. REILLY also give A-grade performances.
There is little not to like here. I think the movie gets too overwhelming in some parts, and I'm not sure what to make of the DiCaprio-Diaz relationship. The movie is very violent and very bloody, and that will turn away some viewers, but it is important to the story.
This movie clocks in at nearly three hours, but it goes by in a matter of seconds. Any movie that has that effect on you is definitely worth a see.