THE DEPARTED (Martin Scorsese, 2006) ***1/2

Rating: 8/10 (22 October 2006)

I haven't watched the Asian original - though the 3-pack of the entire series has been available for rental forever at my local DVD outlet! - and, frankly, now that I've seen Scorsese's 'version' of them I don't really need to either!!
For one thing, he manages to make the subject matter all his own: it's a veritable companion piece to MEAN STREETS (1973), GOODFELLAS (1990) and CASINO (1995). Still, I don't see this as an Oscar picture: much as I loved GANGS OF NEW YORK (2002) and THE AVIATOR (2004), I'm glad Scorsese has returned to more typical (and familiar) territory - and his stamp is all over this film, from the dynamic editing to the terrific soundtrack to the multi-layered violent-yet-likable characters (this has to be one of the most foul-mouthed mainstream films ever!).
The cast is top-notch and, while I've never been enthralled before with the baby-faced trio of Leonardo Di Caprio, Matt Damon and Mark Walhberg, they're all extremely convincing here (with DiCaprio delivering his most De Niroesque performance yet); as for the veterans, they add authenticity to the material which could never happen by watching the originals, because the actors would be unfamiliar to us - Jack Nicholson (his best role in years) and Ray Winstone (though he seems to be stuck with this type of character!) are effortlessly menacing, while Martin Sheen and Alec Baldwin are the image of integrity itself; lovely Vera Farmiga makes the most of her difficult role (the only female character of any consequence).
There are flaws, however: the plot is quite convoluted and the film rather too long for its purpose (hell, it goes on for another half-hour after the Nicholson character is bumped off!) - culminating in an over-the-top, body-strewn climax (though the unexpected death of one of the leads is as shocking and powerful as Kevin Spacey's demise in L.A. CONFIDENTIAL [1997]).
I haven't watched that many films this year, but this is easily the best so far.