Overrated - slow and boring

Rating: Null/10 (23 June 2003)

I saw this movie in the theater when it first came out 20 years ago, and saw it again last night on tv (I've seen all or parts of it at other times as well). My opinion remains the same - slow and boring. You wouldn't think it could be with all the violence and swearing, but it is. Maybe it's because of all the violence and obscenity that it becomes boring. I got anesthetized to the shock value of them. Plus, the plot just wasn't anything special. Admittedly, there were good performances by Pacino, Pfeiffer, and others, but the film as a whole doesn't even come close to comparing with other crime classics such as The Godfather I and III or Goodfellas, among others. It didn't get great reviews when it came out, but it has achieved an almost cult status over the years that I just don't understand. Much of this has to do, I suspect, with some admittedly lasting catch phrases, e.g., "Say 'ello to my l'il friend." These lines alone, however, in my opinion, do not a good movie make. DePalma has certainly done better with many of his other movies, including Carrie, Body Double, and The Untouchables.