Spartan Echo

Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Universal Studios American Ganster led box office receipts on its opening weekend.

The much anticipated next Denzel Washington movie hit the theaters nation wide this weekend. Washington, along with Russell Crowe, led this blockbuster to an opening weekend that grossed $46 million.

Between the compelling story of driver turned drug lord Frank Lucas played by Denzel Washington(Training Day, Malcolm X)Russell Crowe (Gladiator),Atlanta rapper T.I (ATL) and rapper Commom (Smoking Aces), the movie raises the stakes on how a gangster film is supposed to be.


Set in Harlem during the late 60s, early 70s, the true story outlines the rise and fall of Frank Lucas. After the death of powerful drug-lord and mentor Bumpy Johnson (Clarence Williams III), Lucas decides to take control of the open heroin market in Harlem by bringing the purest form of heroin to the area by shipping it in U.S. coffins from Southeast Asia, then distributing the product under the name "Blue Magic." This helps Lucas take control over the heroin trade and propels him to the top of the heap, overshadowing even the mafia. Richie Roberts (Crowe), an honest federal investigator, sets out to combat the drug, its distributor, and the corrupt police that try to keep the trade going.


"American Gangster" grabs your attention from the opening scene, yet, unlike other gangster films such as "GoodFellas" or "New Jack City," the "gangster actions" are not the main thrust in the film. The way that British film director Ridley Scott (Gladiator) takes you into the psyche of the characters makes you root for the bad guy, while hoping that the good guy will prevail. He shows you not why Lucas is a "gangster," but why he is just being an "American" in pursuit of the same things that everyone should want to have… "success".

"American Gangster" is sure to please moviegoers everywhere, but be prepared. It is not your typical gory, shoot 'em up film. Before you know it you are caught up into the multiple situations that are unfolding in the movie and can not wait to see how it turns out. The length is no longer an issue, if it was before. Combined with undeniable great acting, the brilliant writing of Steven Zaillian, leaves you wanting more of the story and less of the action. Maybe for this reason "American Gangster" solidifies itself among the great gangster films. American Gangster is a must see movie for this season. It was nicely written and masterfully acted out by a cast that made it believable from start to finish.

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