A good movie, but not as good as expected

Rating: 7/10 (1 March 2007)

The Departed was definitely an action packed, edge-of-your-seat, exciting film to watch. It was good-to excellent and highly recommended. I usually watch most films at home on a small TV (by today's standards). So I get a more critical perspective of the actual quality of directing or acting, without the overwhelming assault on sensations that occurs in a theater. Many films seem great in a theater but then only average on a home TV! The Departed was well directed and acted, but I've seen better acting and direction in other films, many times. Matt Damon did not do the best job he could have. Mark Wahlberg's character seemed a little un-realistic. Some of the film did as well. It was not Martin Scorsese's best directing effort, so do not expect that. There seemed to be too much effort to make it "stylized", quick and modern, to appeal to younger audiences. I hate that trend. Mr. Scorsese is one of the best directors of all time without a doubt. He should or could have won "Best Directing" for several other films in the past, including Goodfellas, The Last Temptation of Christ, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, The Color of Money or After Hours. All were better directed in my opinion. I am very sure the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences only really gave him an Oscar for The Departed because it was getting to the point of being ridiculous that he had not won in the past, for better films.