The opening sequence had me check to see if this movie was any good, almost stopped watching. Best part of the movie was the last 20 minutes.
An ex-drug dealet can not flee from him past.
As per usual with De Palma, a lot of this is carried by the filmmaking. The camerawork, the soundtrack choices, the editing, the drugs 'n disco vibe; he knows exactly what he's doing in terms of presentation. However, for the first two acts I was kinda waiting for the moment that would really pull me in. Throwing some neo-noir into the usual gangster flick is a neat idea, and the story itself has a nice hook, but it doesn't have that scene, beat or concept that'd move it beyond being decently intriguing. For the first two acts I thought the story was fairly predictable, and as a character study about redemption/rehabilitation it's thin. It's got very good performances and characters, but it felt static overall. It makes up for a lot of those shortcomings in the third act, however, which includes lots of memorable scenes that are filled with nail biting tension. Maybe some of the tension gets a little nerfed by the fact that the ending is spoiled in the opening, which I think was the wrong choice for this particular movie, but the execution is still something to behold.
6.5/10
It's good but, it's no Scarface.
Man, I just love the part when "El Todopoderoso" de Héctor Lavoe sounds when they are in the disco waiting to get on Carlitos.
The Godfather is the only movie where I’ve seen Pacino not overacting. In some like The Irish it works, and in some like this it’s a nuisance.
Also, I’m noticing how many unnecessary love stories are introduced in some gangster movies, but I guess is not genre exclusive.
However, it’s incredible how stress scenes are able to maintain the intensity for a good time.
Not one of the best but still remarkable
Thats an absolutely totally ninja movie..First 10/10 after a long time and well deserved..Acting,directing,plot everything seems to be perfect in this movie and the ending was a special one!
Shout by mindalienBlockedParent2012-01-28T04:14:24Z
The pacing was a bit slow at times and I didn't like the ending very much. Partly because the beginning spoiled the ending. Don't know why they did it like this. Other than that it is a good film, but with some flaws.