Raw and Powerful...DeNiro is a Beast

Rating: 10/10 (1 January 2009)

Oh man, I had heard the hype, but nothing can prepare you for this monster of a movie. Let's get right to the point: this movie belongs to the DeNiro. From the opening credits, the audience knows that this guy is going to take us on a roller coaster ride, I mean it is that good. This is not an ordinary boxing movie, nor is it an extraordinary one; it is a character analysis at its best. Although the film's premise involves boxing, the overall thematic idea revolves around the human condition, in this case the self destructive DeNiro. Joe Peschi is also great, but not in a dominating kind of way, as he is primarily there to complement DeNiro; keep him dormant, although that becomes a daunting, if not impossible, task. Scorsese truly manages to capture the essence of the beast in DeNiro, and while I still think Goodfellas is his best film, Raging Bull is hands down the best collaboration between the two of them. This is an epic movie, I cannot stress that enough. No review can do it justice, as one cannot judge perfection. This is easily one of top ten greatest movies ever made, and that is an undeniable fact. Don't expect a subtle movie, because this is intense, in your face, entertainment. Watch the Raging Bull for the greatest performance of all time; watch it for the greatest collaboration of all time; just watch it end of story.