American Gangster Reviews
TheShiznit.co.uk
Though it's certainly admirable to aim high, it's like Frank Lucas himself says: "Either you're somebody, or you ain't nobody." Unfortunately for American Gangster, it ends up somewhere between the two.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Digital Spy
It's 157 minutes long, but immerses its audience with its twists and intricacies as it plays out and considers the logistics and consequences of crime and police corruption, with a plethora of show-stealing performances from the cast.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Matt's Movie Reviews
American Gangster an epic, true crime drama, that although not entirely original in its premise is excellent in its execution.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Top CriticRidley Scott's gangster flick aims high and mostly measures up.
Watertown Daily Times
Washington may have not wanted to glorify the Harlem drug dealer, but with his superb acting skills he has created one of the coolest gangsters since Tony Montana.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
The Scorecard Review
It feels familiar, even Washington's performance of real-life Frank Lucas feels like something we've seen before.
Full Review
| Original Score: 7/10
Colorado Springs Gazette
It isn't that American Gangster is an empirically bad film or is even unenjoyable. But don't be surprised if, when you walk out of the theater, you forget the film ever existed.
Full Review
| Original Score: 6/10
At the Movies (Australia)
Best of all, there are top-flight performances from both Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe who create interesting, rounded characters out of potential clichés.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
I.E. Weekly
Scott's not interested in fireworks but small implosions of the soul and ego.
Full Review
| Original Score: B
Cinema em Cena
Um filme envolvente que representa mais um alto na carreira repleta de baixos do instável Ridley Scott.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Uruguay Total
Un policial de ritmo tenso y constante, que contrasta a dos personalidades bastante similares a ambos lados de la ley, mientras se deslizan críticas hacia la corrupción política, policial y militar que permite la existencia del narcotráfico.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Washington Times
American Gangster delivers fine drama, gripping performances and a dizzy morality tale. But it should have been oh, so much better.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
Hollywood Report Card
This initially hokey 70's-TV-style production determinedly matures into a motion picture with cinematic impact. Happily, climax/resolution detour from others in the genre.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
Movies for the Masses
anabionei maestrika to gkangksteriko drama palaias kopis, aporriptontas tis spasmodikes eksarseis bias ki ekrikseon, alla horis na krybei ta akonismena dontia poy deihnei sto dolofoniko tis ksekinima, poy ksekatharizei akribos ti eidoys gangster einai o A
Full Review
| Original Score: 4.5/5
Urban Cinefile
Washington towers above everything in this impressive, tough and long crime drama, convincingly putting his stamp on the elegant man whose callousness alternates with chivalry
Sydney Morning Herald
One of the most intelligent gangster movies in years.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Spectrum (St. George, Utah)
Familiar territory, movingly if not memorably explored.
Full Review
| Original Score: B+
Nolan's Pop Culture Review
When the two get together, the fireworks fly and you realize you are seeing two of the best, EVER, at the top of their game.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/4
Film Snobs
To Ridley Scott, Frank Lucas is less Superfly and more David Glass.
Full Review
| Original Score: 8/10
