Carlito's Way - Ultimate Edition | Al Pacino, Sean Penn

Carlito's Way - Ultimate Edition | Al Pacino, Sean Penn | One of PENN'S finest moments!

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Carlito's Way - Ul...

	Carlito's Way - Ultimate Edition Al Pacino, Sean Penn Universal Studios, 2005 average customer review:based on 148 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A great 70's era gangster flick.

Brilliant story, and a Pacino classic. This film gives you all you need, with violence, drugs, gangsters, and death to Sean Penn. The 70's feel is awesome, and the inclusion of Mafia involvement toward the end is great. Death scenes are violent, and beautifully done. It's no Scarface, but it's definitely for someone who loves Pacino and gangster movies.

One of PENN'S finest moments!

I liked this movie alot, even though i agree with one of the other reviewers that it's a bit formulaic. And while Pacino is solid enough, I wouldn't rank this performance as anywhere near his best. But SEAN PENN! Man, was he great as a smarmy weasel of a lawyer! And with the great make-up job on his head, I know a few people who didn't even know it was him until they were told so later.
I'd give the film about 3 and a half stars altogether, but I'd call Penn's performance a must-see and give it 5 stars plus!

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A Well-Made, If Formulaic, Gangster Film

It seems like there is a point in many directors' careers when they feel the need to try and recreate a former glory they once had. This attempt usually results in a not-so-glorious film. Scorsese did it when he tried to practically remake "GoodFellas" with "Casino", Coppola did it when he made "The Godfather Part III", and De Palma did it when he made "Carlito's Way".

"Carlito's Way" is the story of Carlito Brigante (Pacino), a street gangster who is acquitted of a thirty-year sentence after just five years thanks to his weaselly lawyer (Penn). He then tries to make a legitimate life for himself by running a nightclub, but ties to his old friends sucks him unwillingly back into the criminal underworld.

The film is incredibly well made. De Palma has become a masterful director by 1993, and he showcases his full talent in "Carlito's Way". Every shot is thought-out and followed-through excellently, resulting in a film with perfect direction that maintains an extremely coherent visual feel throughout its 140+ minute running time.

So why only a B+? Well, the fact is that "Carlito's Way" is just not very original. There are multitudes of gangster films out there, and sometimes it's just hard for one to stand out. Also, as I stated earlier, De Palma is repeating himself. An ethnic gangster...a nightclub...Al Pacino...a life of sex, drugs, and violence...any of this ring a bell? Any of this sound suspiciously similar to "Scarface" (1983)? Although, this is something of an anti-"Scarface".

But all that aside, "Carlito's Way" is still a well made, thoroughly enjoyable crime film, and really, anything Al Pacino is involved in most likely warrants at least a viewing or two.

8/10

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"Say we're even now"

"Carlitos Way" stars Al Pacino as the Main character, Carlito Brigante, who has just been released from prison after 5 years and has decided to clean up his life. His lawyer is played by Sean Penn and is the one responsible for finding the loopholes that free him. Carlito is forever in debt to this man, whom also happens to be a longtime friend of his.
The movie depicts what life is like for Carlito now that he is no longer associated with any crime families. Obviously, none of the other criminals believe him, but he is very convincing and after awhile, even the cops don't question his "straight-shooting". Well, things take a turn for the worse and of course it is because of his lawyer, but I'll let you all watch for that.

Overall, the movie is really enjoyable. I especially like Luis Guzman's character, Pachinga. First off, I always enjoy Guzman, but this character fits him like a glove. John Leguizamo also has a role in the film as Benny Blanco and is convincing in his role. The only negative I found in this film was the love story between Carlito and Gail. It just drags some of the scenes out and really does not add anything to the film. "Scarface" was similiar at times, but the ending made the love scence(actually in "Scarface" they were argueing scenes) understandable. This film does not.

Still, this is an excellent movie and certainly worth a viewing.
Enjoy!!

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