Average Rating: 
Rating:  - True Or Not, It's Still A Great Film
There's been a lot of flack directed at Gangs of New York for it's supposed "Historical Inaccuracies". I can't add anything except this: If you go to the movies for your History Lessons, something's wrong with you. If you go to be entertained, Gangs of New York is just the ticket. Based on Herbert Asbury's turn-of-the-century book, Gangs tells the epic tale of the Five-Points section of Manhattan, and the colorful gangs (The Dead Rabbits, The Plug Uglies, The Swamp Angels, The Nativists, etc.) that ruled her mean streets. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Amsterdam Vallon, who witnessed his father "Priest" Vallon 's murder at the hands of Bill "The Butcher" (The amazing Daniel Day-Lewis) as a child, and in typical movie fashion, swore revenge. Amsterdam is released from reform school sixteen years later, and heads off to kill the Butcher. Along the way we get the usual romance, with Cameron Diaz acquitting herself well as pickpocket Jenny Everdeane, despite the fact that she isn't really given much to do in the film. Like other Historical epics (Titanic, Pearl Harbor, Saving Private Ryan), Gangs takes the central topic and places fictional characters into the action. Although there really WAS a Bill the Butcher, he died well before the draft riots that end the film. Director Martin Scorcese deserves high marks for bringing a piece of seldom-seen American history to the screen. Despite it's nearly three-hour length, Scorcese keeps the film moving briskly along, and the opening battle, an exquisitely grotesque symphony of violence, is worth the price of admission alone. Only Scorcese could make such savagery seem beautiful... The performances are all good, but Daniel Day-Lewis is a revelation as the charming and deadly Bill the Butcher; He blows everyone else off the screen. If he doesn't win Best Actor at The Academy Awards it'll be another black eye to their selection process. Hopefully Scorcese will get some long overdue recognition as well. While Gangs isn't his best film, it's still head-and-shoulders above most of 2002's movies. Highly recommended.
Rating:  - This Movie Gets 4 Stars Because...
1.) It's an unflinchingly realistic story of an Irish immigrant (Amsterdam, played by Leonardo DiCaprio) who vows to avenge the cold murder of his father by the gang leader of the "natives" (Cutting, played by Daniel Day Lewis).2). At 2 hours and 45 minutes, "Gangs of New York" moves at a brisk pace that keeps the viewer hooked to the screen. 3). Daniel Day Lewis is absolutely electrifying as Will Cutting, the ruthless butcher who is Amsterdam's sworn enemy. (Cameron Diaz's role, however, is completely disposable and DiCaprio's performance starts off strong, but flies off the rails by the end of the movie.) 4). Director Marty Scorcese is a gifted storyteller, and in this movie, he doesn't gloss over the blatant racism and social unrest that pervaded New York City in the mid 1800's. Is it Scorcese's masterpiece? No, it isn't. It also doesn't live up to the hype generated by some critics who gush over this movie. But it is a solid, raw, and thoroughly entertaining film that's not for the thin-skinned or squeamish. Grade: B+
Rating: - One of the most Epical and Inspired Movies all time!!!
Finally, Martin Scorsese's dream movie will turn into a reality movie. This sweeping tale follows the rise of Irish and Italian gangsters in 1860s New York. While elsewhere in the country the Civil War ensued, residents of Manhattan's Five Points also were engaged in fierce battles. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Amsterdam Vallon, the son of a murdered gangleader who swears vengeance upon William Cutting, a k a Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis), the gang leader who killed his father.Leonardo DiCaprio is really one fine actor, and we'll have to watch him later in the future in Catch Me If You Can. He has some fantastic scenes with Day Lewis and Diaz especially one in a bedroom with The Butcher sitting in a chair bloodied with an American flag wrapped around him. Very cool scene to look at it. Daniel Day Lewis should absolutely get nominated for an Oscar and he will. This guy was incredible! I went into the movie figuring he was going to play an Irishman but ended up playing an immigrant hater with a NY accent. He'll take you apart so fast and systematically with his knife or axe you won''t even know your dead. He is the leader of the 5 points with heavy influence and that is established right off the bat. The movie ends with the draft riots and a big big battle that will knock your socks off. It apparently was the biggest riot in the history of the United States and there is not an accurate account of how many died according to the movie. Very interesting indeed! Although the movie is a tad bit long, coming in at 3 hours, you've got nothing to worry about. This movie will throughly entertain you throughout the movie, without leaving you bored or dismal, and will leave you so inspired when you leave the cinema. [Will have tough competition will Speilberg's other masterpiece Catch Me If You Can though]
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