Scorsese is back to his roots

Rating: 9/10 (29 November 2019)

One of this years true diamonds and Martin Scorsese's return to his roots and to the genre he is best at: The gangster genre. Also funnily his first collaboration with Al Pacino and his reunion with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.
This 3,5 hour epic really convinces and you hardly ever feel the long hours and running time, it is always exciting, there is always something to tell and never drags. The first hour is a bit slower compared to the second and third because it take s a long time to introduce the characters and it is good and effective that it takes that time.
Robert De Niro was great and it is a shame he hardly ever gets fantastic material like that anymore. Really a fantastic performance and prove that he still makes a great leading man. Sometimes the performance was a bit monotone but especially in the last third he really shows off his brilliance. Fantastic to see Joe Pesci back, even if it is just this once for this film. He never lost his charisma and it was nice to see him in such a more "calmer" role. Fantastic as well. Al Pacino was a bit too Al Pacino for me... he was great, dont get me wrong. But playing Jimmy Hoffa I hoped that Pacino ignores a bit Pacino. Still that trio truly makes the film. We have also a good appearance by Harvey Keitel, tho his character deserved more work and Ray Romano. The direction and screenplay were among the two best of the year. Also the de-aging worked for me and I think the negativity of that is overrated. Really one of the best of the year.