Good, not great

Rating: Null/10 (19 December 1998)

I can understand the hype. But this isn't a "Must see masterpiece." Although I loved DeNiro's performance, I really think the Al Capone character was horribly underwritten, I hardly felt like I knew the character even at the end of the film. Of course, Sean Connery was the best thing about this movie. Hands down there. I think this movie would've been much better if they'd taken more time to develop the characters and show the workings of the alcohol smuggling. Still, all the shortcomings are almost equalled by the elaborate sets, costumes, and camerawork. In the end it's a good movie, but it serves more as a shoot-em-up than a serious drama.