Gangs great history, but a bit over wrought

Rating: Null/10 (29 December 2002)

The historical aspects of Gangs is quite interesting and extremely informative. Scorcese is outstanding in juxtaposing the politics of today with those of the past. Who would of known (unless you were a thorough historian) that Lincoln's administration was involved in the awful conscription of immigrants into this man's army. Truly a bridge to the future.
However, the story seems like some over-wrought, highly produced passion-play or made-for-tv movie. It truly lacks the genius of Scorsese; the ability to take gritty, disgusting, vile image of people and converting them into characters that we can sympathize with in context. We all loved Jimmy and Tommy in Goodfellas, but can we say the same of the melodramatic Amsterdam. In Taxi Driver he takes an urban landscape of scum and depravity, shows us a psychotic man, and enables us to feel for this horrible beast. He demonstrates some of his patented techniques in "Gangs" such as the panning shot and the quick zoom. The silent commentary of the immigrants registering as citizens, enlisting in the conscript, boarding the vessel for the war zone, and the coffins leaving the ship is quite majestic. That is truly Vittorio de Sica. That is part of Martin's genius. That tells a story.
With Cameron Diaz and Henry Thomas, it feels like Legends of the Fall at Times. DiCaprio is good, and Daniel-Day Lewis is brilliant. A bit over the top, but brilliant. My favorite Brendan Gleason is grossly under used and John C. Reilly is strong, but half of a character. What happened to him between being a bought cop and his days with the Dead Rabbits? Editing room floor I imagine.
I would recommend the film but would use caution. Don't be disappointed if you are true Scorsese fan. This is a different type of film.