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List Price: $34.98 | | Label: Universal Studios
Salesrank: 25992
Released: February 19, 2008 |
| Our Price: $5.52 |
| Used Price: $2.70 |
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Academy Award® winners* Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe team with director Ridley Scott (Gladiator) for an epic story as powerful as it is true. Armed with ruthless, street-wise tactics and a strict sense of honor, crime boss Frank Lucas (Washington) rules Harlem's chaotic drug underworld. When outcast cop Richie Roberts (Crowe) sets out to bring down Lucas's multi-million dollar empire, it plunges both men into a legendary confrontation. American Gangster is "a brutal and brilliant film" (Pete Hammond, Maxim)
Description of American Gangster 3-Disc Collector's Edition:
Ridley Scott puts on his "sweeping saga" gameface again, this time not for the sci-fi vistas of Blade Runner or the ancient world of Gladiator but for an urban epic. American Gangster gives the story of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a real-life Harlem crime lord who built an empire on Southeast Asian heroin in the 1970s. Running parallel to Lucas's somewhat standard story is the investigation led by a persistent New Jersey cop, Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe). Roberts is a more interesting character than Lucas--too honest for his own good, unlucky in his personal life--and this kind of character, easily patronized by others, fits Crowe like a polyester shirt. Scott's tendency to hit his points square on the noggin is much in evidence here, including the typecasting of the supporting roles and the predictable Serpico atmosphere of the whole thing. (And speaking of supporting actors, the film needs more Chiwetel Ejiofor, whose role as a Lucas sidekick feels cut down.) It succeeds as a kind of chewy entertainment, fueled by the presence of two big stars working their muscles. Both Washington and Crowe look pretty brawny here. --Robert Horton
Beyond American Gangster on DVD
Great Crime and Gangster Films | 
More from Denzel Washington | 
More from Russell Crowe |
Stills from American Gangster (Click for larger image) American Gangster 3-Disc Collector's Edition Reviews:
"They look at me like it's Christmas, and I'm Santa Claus." 
2009-09-16 - This is yet another ultimate movie from Ridley Scott, Denzel Washington, and Russell Crowe. This is not just a gangster flick, but, like The Godfather & Heat, is also a psychological drama. It tells the story of Frank Lucas, an African-American man who becomes a #1 drug importer in 60's Harlem. Richie Roberts is the cop who's willing to bring Lucas and his tainted business down. Seems like a simple story, but the film itself is far more complex. There is more story than action (not to say it is bad, but it really stands out with other awe-inspiring motion pictures). Ridley Scott simply knows how to make a great film, and this is one of his greatest. The performances here are also memorable. Washington, Crowe, Brolin, Gooding Jr., Nadal, Dee, Common, and T.I. give their roles their all, and they do it almost flawlessly. I'm surprised Washington wasn't even nominated for an Oscar. And the costumes and sets are just ravishing! It really feels like you're back in the late 60's, where you're anticipating the most intense boxing night in history.
It's not as great as other gangster/cop flicks, but it's great on its own level. Grade: A
dull most of the time 
2009-07-20 - I didn't find a whole lot to like about this movie to be completely honest. American Gangster had a pace that was only sometimes interesting probably because there wasn't enough action segments to keep me satisfied- just spoken bits that were never really memorable, and every time Russell Crowe spoke in his character role the quality of the storytelling felt like it slipped a little. It's like the movie kept tricking you into thinking it would become more interesting with every new segment but never delivered.
I realize most people who've watched American Gangster really respect it, but I can't bring myself to call this film a classic or anything- just barely good enough to keep a story flowing, and nothing more.
Not Factual
2009-06-29 - The acting was great the story was based on actual historical figures unfortunately the movie is very misleading.
Frank Lucas was not a major part of the criminal activities in the African-American communities of New York City. His activities was confined to a very small area. Whereas Nick Barnes and his associates were all over the city. They were the main drug dealers during those days. There is a documentary on DVD called 'Mr. Untouchable about Nicky Barnes and his crew. On this DVD there is a recent recorded conversation between Frank Lucas and Nicky Barnes, where Frank Lucas says that Nicky was 'the man', You can tell by the tone of the conversation who was the real boss of the crime world in the African American community. This movie (American Gangster) showed Nicky Barnes (played by Cuba Goodings Jr) in a very negative way. The truth was that Nicky Barnes was more like the way that Denzel Washington portrayed Frank Lucas and the way Cuba Goodings Jr acted was more like the way Frank Lucas behaved. Also in Bumpy Johnson's widow's book (Harlem Godfather), she said that Frank Lucas was never close to Bumpy Johnson. If you would like to know the truth about the gangster life in the 'black' community of New York city from the 1920s until the late 1970 read 'Harlem Godfather: The Rap on my Husband, Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson a fascinating account of the war with 'Dutch Shultz' and also about the people of Harlem during the early 1900s until the 1960s by Mayme Hatcher Johnson. Also the book Mr Untouchable: The Rise and Fall of the Black Godfatherby Nicky Barnes. Also see the DVD called 'Mr. Untouchable.
Another Gangster Movie Greats
2009-06-16 - I love Russle Crowe and Denzel Washington together they make an awesome impact in this great Ganster Movie, and on blue ray its just outstanding to view and make a part of your great movie collection
Dynamic true story 
2009-05-24 - At first, because it was rated R, I wasn't going to see it, but because it was based on a true story, I thought I'd try it. The opening scene almost made me shut it off, but I hung in there since I enjoy Denzel Washington and Russell Crow (very convincing performances). I was not dissappointed. What struck me was the contrast in the two main characters - Frank Lucas (Denzel), the suave drug dealer/businssman and Det. Richie Roberts (Russell), the humble, extremely honest cop. I grew up in NY during this time and vaguely remember hearing about that. It's a good drama, the era of the late 60s - early 70s was recreated perfectly.
