Good but overrated

Rating: 7/10 (29 October 2000)

`The Untouchables' is a solid movie, containing great performances from Sean Connery, Kevin Costner, and Robert De Niro, with more than adequate performances all-around. This film contains a well-known, excellent premise, successfully played-off the classic TV series. I raise my glass to David Mamet for an excellent screenplay that encourages these strong performances.
I have one complaint, and it is massive. Between second-rate director Brian De Palma and above average screenwriter David Mamet, the film is given moments too intense to be remotely realistic. The oft-praised `Odessa Steps' shoot-out scene is ludicrous in content, and the bridge shoot-out isn't much better. Having just praised Mamet, I pin these scenes on Brian De Palma, the most over-rated director in the history of film. His heavy-handed style unable to recognize moments requiring drama and subtlety.
Appreciate an excellent and appropriate score by Ennio Morricone.
Enjoy the film but mourn its mistakes. 7/10