7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.3 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.3 |
Set in New York City, 1840-1863, a young man named Amsterdam seeks vengeance against Bill 'The Butcher' Poole, the man who killed his father. Though he secures the help of pickpocket Jenny Everdeane, the task at hand may be more dangerous than Amsterdam ever imagined when he realizes that his father was murdered as a result of gang warfare between the powerful Manhattan Irish and Italian gangs. Amid the crooked cops and corrupt politicians of the Tammany Hall era, political enforcer Bill Poole stands out as only one scoundrel in the crime-plagued Five Points section of lower Manhattan in the early 1860s.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz, Jim Broadbent, John C. ReillyCrime | 100% |
Drama | 82% |
Period | 69% |
History | 45% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
English, English SDH, Spanish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
With the exception of Woody Allen, few filmmakers have paid as much respect or made as many cinematic pilgrimages to New York as Martin Scorsese. Born in the heart of the city and raised on its mean streets, fascinated with its violent history and intrigued by the image of a vast, grizzled kingdom atop a war-torn American hill, the Oscar-winning director has long toiled in the shadows of New York's glass towers and embraced the hopes of its denizens. Even when others were still reeling from the terrible events of September 11th, Scorsese was putting the finishing touches on a passion project that had been gestating in his brain for decades: Gangs of New York. Brimming with forgotten history and moving revelations, it's arguably his most personal film; a sprawling, tragic encapsulation of the enduring spirit and unwavering soul that have made his beloved city the thriving mixing bowl it is today. It isn't a perfect film -- his characters are often overshadowed by the more ambitious pursuits of his saga -- but its arresting performances, stirring authenticity, magnificent cinematography, and sweeping tale of rage, revenge, and redemption make it a mesmerizing and rewarding one.
Braveheart IV: Revenge of the WASPs
The previously released, rightfully reviled Blu-ray edition of Gangs of New York was greeted with fierce criticism when it arrived in 2008. The reason? It featured one of the most disappointing high definition presentations of the year; a shoddy transfer hobbled by rampant edge enhancement, color blooming, debilitating DNR, compression artifacts, vertical striping, smearing, and black crush. Suffice to say, it was an absolute mess. Well, dear readers, welcome to 2010. Disney has quietly released a newly remastered version of Gangs of New York into the wild; one blessed with a gorgeous 1080p/AVC-encoded stunner that finally gives the film its due. Michael Ballhaus's hearthy interiors, shadowy alleyways, and bright battlefields are gorgeous, boasting sumptuous autumnal hues and rich, exceedingly natural blacks. Moreover, a veneer of grain lends his visual tour de force the fittingly filmic appearance it sorely lacks in Disney's previous Blu-ray release. Contrast is strong and stable, delineation is as revealing as it should be from shot to shot, and the image is clean and attractive. You won't find any distracting artifacts, bursts of noise, mysterious lines, print blemishes, or waxy faces. Detail is immaculate as well, delivering sharp edges, refined textures, and remarkable clarity. A few soft shots dot the proceedings (a closeup of DiCaprio in an opium house represents the worst of it), but every instance can be traced back to the original photography, not the studio's technical efforts.
If I have any complaint, it's that a somewhat negligible bit of ringing still appears when actors are framed by Scorsese's white skies. It's rare, mind you, and a far cry from the maddening halos that plagued its previous Blu-ray release, but eagle-eyed videophiles with large screens will notice it nonetheless. That being said, I couldn't be more pleased with Disney's remastered presentation. Bold and beautiful, it represents a striking and sincere apology from a studio that's made a habit of righting old wrongs. Disney has done right by their fans and their film, and that shouldn't be taken lightly.
Thankfully, the film's audio presentation is as strong as ever. Granted, it materializes in the form of a meaty DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track instead of the uncompressed PCM mix that graced Disney's previous release, but the two 48kHz/24-bit experiences are all but identical. Dialogue is crisp and well-prioritized, placing every pleading whisper, desperate shout, and gravely threat at the forefront of an already immersive soundfield. LFE output is hearty and able-bodied, rear speaker activity is persistent and satisfying, and directionality is quite convincing. Fire brigades clash as blazing buildings roar, cannon fire decimates two opposing forces who remain determined to eliminate one another, gunfire slaughters an angry mob... it all sounds fantastic. But quieter scenes are just as impressive. While the soundscape isn't nearly as aggressive, acoustics and ambience remain steady and stable. A handful of scenes are a bit too quiet, but each instance struck me as intentional. Even so, Howard Shore's score deftly mingles with Scorsese's epic, effects are potent and precise, and dynamics leave a sizeable mark. Fans can finally say Gangs of New York has never looked or sounded any better.
Though presented in standard definition (sorry gents, Disney's commendable convictions apparently didn't extend to the disc's supplemental package), the special features included on the Blu-ray edition of Gangs of New York add substantial value to the release. Granted, a shiny new Picture-in-Picture track would have been a godsend, but those looking for quality over quantity will be excited to plow through everything the disc has to offer.
At long last, a remastered Blu-ray Edition of Gangs of New York has arrived to wipe away the tears fans have cried since Disney's 2008 release broke their hearts. With a near-perfect video transfer (finally, finally!), a rousing DTS-HD Master Audio track, and a fairly captivating supplemental package, it's the release everyone has been waiting for since Disney's 2008 debacle left an angry mob in its wake. A few additional special features may have helped soften the blow of the new disc's pricepoint, but I doubt many consumers will bemoan its cost once they see how amazing GoNY looks in high definition. Rest easy, Scorsese enthusiasts. All is well.
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Extended Director's Cut
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