202 reviews
Sales Rank: 1007

Format: Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 174
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.7

MPN: MCAD61032280D
UPC: 025193228024
EAN: 0025193228024
ASIN: B0011HOEY4

Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: February 19, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
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)

Product Description
Both the theatrical and extended version are on the same side of disc 1----disc 2 contains bonus footage Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 08/26/2008 Starring: Denzel Washington Run time: 158 minutes Director: Ridley Scott

Customer Reviews: Read 197 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Two Great Actors Elevate This Scarface-Like Story November 17, 2008
The best thing this movie had going for it - which is no surprise - is the acting duo of Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. How many bad movies do you see with either of those guys starring in them? Not many, and neither actor disappoints here. Both play fascinating guys, Washington, a big gangster ("Frank Lucas") and Crowe, an honest cop ("Richie Roberts")

This movie reminded me a lot of the '83 "Scarface" film in which Tony Montana (Al Pacino) rises from the bottom up to be a big drug lord, only to have things crumble big-time. We see a similar tale here with "Lucas," except that his fall is sudden in this stor.

Director Ridley Scott and photographer Harris Savides also give us a slick- looking film, very pretty spots and stylishly-directed. The story wasn't quite as good as the "hype," but I was never bored despite the two- and-a-half-hour length of it. I was a bit confused in the first 25 minutes but things straightened out after that.

It was entertaining enough for me that I'd watch it again.

5 out of 5 stars

Blu Ray American Gangster November 16, 2008
I had rented this in plain DVD (best I could get from Netflix after waiting over a month). My wife liked it so much bought it in Blu Ray. Fairly gruesome but fantastic actors make it well worthwhile.. (And entertaining)

4 out of 5 stars

American Ganster is one of the best movies. November 12, 2008
This review is written by Mr. Bradberry's students:

American gangster

American gangster is based on a true story of a murdering drug pusher and crooked cops. Frank Lucas was a drug dealer that ship over 1kilo of heroin for Vietnam to the US. While the Vietnam War was still intact. Over a year has pass Frank Lucas was a well know drug dealer around all New York. His biggest idol was named bumpy. He was a person who ran the Harlem streets and all so another drug dealer. When bumpy dies Lucas want inherits the fresh cut heroin from the Far East to New York City streets than he will become the king pin of all drug dealer.
American Gangster is one of your favorite movies out because it's filled with action, drama. The character that played Frank Lucas in the movie was really (Denzel Washington). Also Richie Roberts a detective was (Russell Crowe). The way that the cops were corrupted was the way he smuggled drugs in New York City and all while the Great Depression was going on. When you watch it you will probably think it's the best movie. Richie Roberts wasn't a corrupted cop like most of the others cops.
Russell Crowe was also in the movie Gladiator, in my opinion this was an awesome movie. Frank Lucas was not well know until he started selling drugs then he got front row seats to a boxing match between Muhammad Ali VS. Joe Frazier. This was suspicious because he Richie Roberts saw that he got better seats than this well know rich guy. Frank Lucas also knows the well know stars, which Richie never thought he would meet or even know. Frank Lucas was "The Boss", the inventor of the Blue Magic Empire.
The way they put the movie together was amazing, and the story plot comes slowly. Slowly unfolds, while there is less shooting and action than you think there will be.
So American Gangster is a good movie and I suggest you buy it or rent it. It has history, and I recommend you see it either the theatrical version or the un-rated version. One of my favorite movies ever made and should see it.

4 out of 5 stars

Nothing short of excellent October 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

If you're a fan of Denzel Washington, this is a gift for you! It has everything you would like in a very powerful, gripping tale based on a true story. I find this to be the perfect addition to anyone's dvd library

1 out of 5 stars

Overhyped October 20, 2008
1 out of 5 found this review helpful

I was told American Gangster was an epic gangster movie in the tradition of the Godfather. Nothing of the kind. Instead it is another cliched and mediocre urban gangsta flick.