Intense and Gripping Throughout

Rating: 10/10 (13 October 2015)

The Departed as many as declared as Martin Scorsese's masterpiece. What's surprising here is that this is not an awards seeking film rather The Departed is purely a thoroughly entertaining mainstream blockbuster designed more to be enjoyed than to be analyzed. The Departed has been praised for several years, especially since it's immediate release. It is a great example of the difference that a visionary director can bring to relatively conventional material.
The overall premise is clever, the action is gripping, production values solid all around. What really makes it stand out though, aside from Scorsese's style, is simply how much good fun it is. Laughs come frequently and loudly throughout the film, with almost all being character based rather than cheesy one-liners or goofy sight gags. The result is some tremendously smart and snappy dialogue interplays mixed with scenes which give the actors room to breathe and add their own style. As a rewatch 03/16/20' the Departed remains a great and highly entertaining watch, and one of the greater crime drama's of its time.