Overall review of Gangs of New York

Rating: 7/10 (4 January 2015)

Gangs of New York is a great film showing the turbulent New York City before and during the Civil War. Scorsese makes his movie full of violence, action, and plot twists and still manages to maintain many historical aspects of what New York City was like in the 1860s. He ensures that the viewer feels sympathy for Amsterdam Vallon as he attempts to avenge his father, who was murdered by Bill the butcher, and tries to find his way in the Five Points district. The movie displays Bill as a murderous gang leader who believes in honor and a romanticized view of fighting. The movie condemns this view of fighting as the clash between the two gangs that Bill and Amsterdam, like his Father before him, so eagerly enter results in horrible consequences and many deaths. The movie also displays the historical background and carrying out of the Race Riots which surprisingly ends in a far more catastrophic destruction of much of New York City and many more deaths than I and many others would believe. The army is sent in to stop the gangs and rioters who are protesting mostly due to the first draft in American history. Many buildings are destroyed and many civilians are killed as the national army ends the Race Riots. This is a amazing film which mixes action and history beautifully.