Take it as it is, a great film!

Rating: 10/10 (9 March 1999)

People seem to feel the need to compare this remarkable film with the film noir genre as well as with the time honored classic Chinatown. Although they are not wrong in their comparisons, LA Confidential should be taken as a great film in its own right.
Some reviews have referred to the excessive violence, the movie being different from the book, and other "flaws" that set it apart from an excellent film noir movie. The point they miss is that LA Confidential is not film noir (the fact that it's not in black & white is a good indication!) It may have elements of that genre inherent in it but this film was obviously made for a 1990's audience.
Excessive violence is a required element in all modern films, and I can safely say that the violence here was the most exciting and well done action I've ever seen (if you don't beleive me watch the ending again; CLASSIC!!!)
LA Confidential is a beautiful movie, and director Curtis Hanson was right on the mark with everything he did. After all he is catering to a 1990's audience not a 1950's one. Therefore LA Confidential should not be compared with movies that were aimed at a different target audience.