This movie was pretty good, I am not a huge fan of gangster themed movies but I got it because Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe were in it and they always are great to watch. It's a good plot, it is based on a true-story which I really liked. What I enjoyed most were the special features which show the viewer the real story that inspired the movie. If you like crime dramas, or dramas in general than you will most likely enjoy this movie. It is a little on the long side but it's worth the time.

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.

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)

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.

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