Simply excerable.

Rating: Null/10 (2 January 2003)

The buzz surrounding this movie masterfully obscures the fact that it lacks almost any redeeming qualities. I actually got in for free, as the movie I had planned on going to see was kaput due to "technical difficulties." Nevertheless, I feel like I should have been paid. "Gangs of New York" is to be endured, not enjoyed. Scorsese has stolen three hours of my life that I will never recover.
The acting, apart from the always reliable Daniel Lewis, was feeble. The story was awful, riven by gaping plot holes, underdeveloped character relationships, and an ending which wipes out any sense of climax. Will someone please explain to me why this movie was so excellent? If you want history, we all know there are countless better sources. If you want stylized violence, with actual soul and meaningful insight into man's bestial nature, I suggest you go rent a Kurosawa flick, because there is nothing here worth your time.