Full of energy from start to finish

Rating: 10/10 (16 February 2018)

This film is, to me, one of the best mob films. In my mind, it outperforms Godfather(1972) and top all of Mafia films except Infernal Affairs(2002), which is too often classified into "Cops & Robbers movies" by me. By the way, Infernal Affairs is later on adapted for a new American one, named The Departed(2006), which is, to me, one of the worst films partly because I find it that there is a inconsistency between the original and the remake. And the main reason I dislike The Departed(2006) is, I think, the original is so perfect that any remake that attempt to pay homage to it would be disgraceful.
Let's get down to Goodfellas (1990). In comparison with those remakes and fictional stories, Goodfellas is real, of course real because, after all, it is based on a real story. I know, Godfather is regard as one of the greatest films throughout the film history, but it is just make up by a genius, who creates it by making some interviews, intergrating some stories heard from others; while Goodfellas is a wise-guy's life, real life. I love Godfather for sure, and I believe everyone loves it too, as we love romantic legend and epic mythology. However, those stories are far away from us. Goodfellas is more human, less romanticized. I believe few people, as a gangster, could lead a life portrayed by Godfather. Most of us are boorish goodfellas, or wise-guys. That's why I insist that Goodfellas be better than Godfather. After all, we cannot deny ourselves.
Speak of the cast of this film, I was familiar with Henry at the first sight of him. I must have seen him before, I knew it. It took pains for me to recall which film he showed up in. At long last, I got a hunch that he supposed to star in Hannibal Lector series, so I got through the cast list of Hannibal trilogy. And Sure enough, he did. He is the one who wants to arrest Hannibal but fails and be one of the toys that Hannibal plays with. Until now, I can clearly, crystal clearly, remember the bloody disgusting scene that in Hannibal (2001), he (starred by Ray Liotta) is probably hypnotized and Hannibal opens his skull, gets a piece of meat out of his brain, and ...... too disgusting to describe furthermore. And he (Ray Liotta) is the narrator and protagonist of Goodfellas. That interests me. From a puppet manipulated by a puppeteer to the narrator and protagonist of Goodfellas. While watching the mob lifestyle in Goodfellas that borders on the ridiculous, his face always reminds me of the fact that he once shows up in other film and be grinded down by someone sinister. And it gives added zest to my pleasure.
Tommy(Joe Pesci) is impressive in the film. He does everything big, regardless of outcome. And it makes the film never become a snooze fest. As long as he is in that scene, you always expect something exciting happen, and he always live up to your expectation. With him, there is an unpredictability in the film. I guess that's why everybody considers it a pity when he is whacked by Mafia despite the fact that he is such a rude guy. Come on, the film is not a solemn moral lesson. Joe Pesci is awesome. No wonder he wins an Oscar. He totally deserves it.
Basically, the whole film consists of many fragments of daily life, including eating, drinking, sex, party, robbery, fest and what not. Nevertheless, every fragments are interesting enough to keep you focus on the film, and even immerse yourself in being the part of Henry's special life. Colorful, literally and metaphorically, life. A great deal of lively moving shoots, as well as a bunch of classic 60's and 70's Rock 'n Roll music, make the film, despite the long running time, full of energy from start to finish.