ROTTEN TOMATOES: Tomatometer Watch: American Gangster Debuts at 100 Percent

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Tomatometer Watch: American Gangster Debuts at 100 Percent

Oscar buzz generating for the Ridley Scott film.

by Alex Vo | October 22, 2007

After getting the worst reviews of his career for A Good Year (26 percent on its Tomatometer), Ridley Scott's newest opus, American Gangster, is so far poised to do a critical 180. Early reviews have built up a 100 percent Tomatometer for the film, which will be opening next week on Friday.

American Gangster stars Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, the titular gangster who, in 1970s Harlem, dominates the inner-city drug trade. Hot on his heels is Richie Roberts, a determined cop as portrayed by Russell Crowe. Both adhere unflinchingly to their personal moral codes and convictions, and American Gangster promises a bloody resolution between the two by the end reel.

Rolling Stone is the first amongst the Cream of the Crop sources to weigh in on American Gangster. Though critic Peter Travers calls the movie "long (157 minutes), overstuffed (horn-dog Richie's court fight against his wife for child custody belongs on Lifetime), [and] shadowed by innovators (Coppola, Scorsese, The Sopranos)," it's still "one hell of an exciting movie." It's "already looking like a major awards contender," with a final confrontation that delivers: "Washington and Crowe clash like titans -- they're something to see."

Crowe, Scott, and Washington on the set of American Gangster.

NY Post critic Kyle Smith, writing out to us from his blog, agrees that major accolades could be in Gangster's future: "Elegantly paced, visually dazzling and guided by a cynically witty take on American capitalism, it's the first film this year that has a serious chance at an Oscar nomination for Best Picture."

For the most part, reviews from normal online reviewers are curbing their enthusiasm. Edward Douglas of ComingSoon.net, for example, calls American Gangster "an entertaining, masterfully-crafted crime flick even if it isn't altogether original or groundbreaking compared to Ridley Scott's classic films." And in Douglas's opinion, the film pales slightly in comparison to recent mob epics like The Departed, or even We Own the Night.

American Gangster will open in theaters everywhere November 2^nd.

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(1-20 of 30 posts) | Reply

Heath Huxall writes:
on Oct 22 2007 03:40 PM

Fantastic! I've been looking forward to this film almost all year!

(Reply to this)

Darule17 writes:
on Oct 22 2007 03:44 PM

Amercian Gangster or Gone Baby Gone Will win Best Picture!!!

(Reply to this)

look_how_he's_standin writes:
on Oct 22 2007 03:48 PM

In reply to this comment (#1215002)
hopefully gone baby gone will win Best Picture. American Gangster looked like it was going to win best picture ever since it was previewed. Too predictable. Although it does look ridiculously good.

(Reply to this)

Bardego writes:
on Oct 22 2007 03:53 PM

You're both wrong. There Will Be Blood or Charlie Wilson's War will take the award. American Gangster looks great, though.

(Reply to this)

Darule17 writes:
on Oct 22 2007 03:59 PM

And I forgot No Country for Old Men could also prob take the award

(Reply to this)

FantasyFan07 writes:
on Oct 22 2007 03:59 PM

I am so excited for this movie.

(Reply to this)

mouse_clicker writes:
on Oct 22 2007 05:01 PM

I caught an advanced screening. It's every bit as good as the Tomatometer implies.

(Reply to this)

Bridgid Morgan writes:
on Oct 22 2007 05:20 PM

I can't wait to see this one. Crowe and Washington make for a hell of a mix and the film looks great.

(Reply to this)

Jen Yamato writes:
on Oct 22 2007 05:21 PM

Ha. "Normal online reviewers." Not like Kyle Smith!

(Reply to this)

crudebob writes:
on Oct 22 2007 05:28 PM

Who really gives a damn what wins best picture? I haven't since Shakespeare in Love.
I'm just looking forward to a great movie and after 3:20 to Yuma, another great performance by Russell Crowe.

(Reply to this)

DariusVIII writes:
on Oct 22 2007 05:33 PM

Yeah, as much as I'd like it to happen, the Academy pry won't give Best Pic to a crime drama two years in a row. Charlie Wilson's War or Atonement, probably. There Will Be Blood gets a nod though, but too dark I would guess.

(Reply to this)

TheAnswerMVP2001 writes:
on Oct 22 2007 05:47 PM

While I wish Crowe and Scott success (and I know this film will do well) its a little too early to be saying it will debut at 100% when we still have over a week in a half to go. I guess this was just a slow news day, huh?

(Reply to this)

mouse_clicker writes:
on Oct 22 2007 06:39 PM

...I think they meant it debuts *on Rotten Tomatoes* at 100%...

(Reply to this)

witherwings writes:
on Oct 22 2007 07:03 PM

In reply to this comment (#1215224)
A lot of films debut with 0. I was surprised to see there was only eight reviews... for making the headlines I figured, oh, at least forty. ONE negative review would bring it down to 89%.

(Reply to this)

crystalwhiteeyes writes:
on Oct 22 2007 07:22 PM

Nothing for Rescue Dawn?? When will Christian Bale ever be recognized?? American Gangster does look extremely good, so I can't wait to see it!

(Reply to this)

TheAnswerMVP2001 writes:
on Oct 22 2007 08:10 PM

In reply to this comment (#1215294)
A lot of films debut on Rotten Tomatoes at 100%, if that's the case then that would be even more irrelevant.

(Reply to this)

TheAnswerMVP2001 writes:
on Oct 22 2007 08:12 PM

Example: Dan in Real Life is opening at 100% with only 5 reviews...where's the news article on that?!?

(Reply to this)

knowingtoast85 writes:
on Oct 22 2007 08:23 PM

The good reviews always, always, always come first. Right off the bat we know at least one critic will dock AG with a rotten tomato because it's too long, since that never fails to happen.

And if that falls through, we've always got Victoria Alexander to comment-bait.

(Reply to this)

mouse_clicker writes:
on Oct 22 2007 09:30 PM

TheAnswer: Perhaps because American Gangster is directed by an Academy Award Winner, and starring two Academy Award Winners, and is favored to Win some Academy Awards?

Besides that, though, I looked it up: its premiere was the 19th in New York. So... that's probably it.

(Reply to this)

mouse_clicker writes:
on Oct 22 2007 09:31 PM

Scratch that, Ridley Scott has only been nominated for Best Director, albeit 3 times. I really thought he had won at least once. Perhaps this time?

(Reply to this)

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