Good, but not great

Rating: 8/10 (3 July 2003)

I used to love this film the few times I saw it when I was a kid. Now, after watching it again, I can't help but feel that something was missing with the movie. It is this missing link that really prevents this film from being a great movie.
Don't get me wrong, I really like The Untouchables. The acting is good, with what little script that David Mamet, who is usually a much much better screenwriter has to give them. Connery, though sounding like a total cliche line after line of dialogue really stands out, in my opinion, one of his best roles ever. Garcia is also good with what unfortunately turned out to be little more than a standing extra, and of course, Deniro is simply awesome as the Charasmatic and often brutal, Al Capone. However, Costner, as usual, simply lacks every hint of emotion in his role as Elliot Ness. His 'tough guy' scenes with Capone are more laughable than serious, and his tender acting makes Ness appear to be more of a wuss than the passive-aggressive vigilante who out smarted Capone.
What really is missing is hard to place...it's not one big problem, it's a series of small problems that add up. As mentioned, the weak script and Costner's bad acting are both serious detriments to this film's success. But, there is something else that I can never and could ever put my finger on...it's an extra edge or an extra passion that was missing that really prevented this film to be a true epic. Also, after reviewing it after ten years, there are so many parts in the action scenes that involve either completely idiotic acts by the characters, or incredibly inconsistent scenes (for instance, in the raid on the liquor convoy, a platoon of mounties on horseback are charging a group of tommy gun clad mobsters who are hosing their guns at them at close range, yet not a single one is hit. Also, the final scene where Costner looks at the matchbook, finds out his friend's killer is really the same Capone henchman whom he just disarmed AND then rearmed, makes the killer very aware to the fact and is then responsible for the guy going gun crazy in the whole court. Also, I find it very hard to believe that NOONE heard the gunshots that echoed throughout the courtroom building. And finally, though cool, the scene with the baby carriage has it's fair share of problems). Plus, the pacing of the movie was a little too fast...I felt that there were scenes missing that should have been there...scenes that could have been spent with more characterization, and most importantly, the building passion of the team to bring down Capone. There are far too little scenes that convey this passionate desire that we are supposed to be feeling with the characters.
But when you add all of this up, surprisingly, it matters little. With so many flaws, it still turns out to be a good movie with a great score by Ennio Morricone (who has provided scores for dozens of famous movies) and great direction by De Palma, though the pacing seems really choppy at times, and doesn't always flow well. This film, next to Scarface, is probably De Palma's best effort overall. It is entertaining and features some cool characters that unfortunately have very limited dialogue. Overall, not a bad film, but there are much better gangster films out there. Watch it for Connery, he truly shines. 7.5/10 stars.