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King Of New York [1990]
![King Of New York [1990]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kTsz1vUuL._SL160_.jpg)
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
King of New York is a low-budget crime thriller has the feel of a major blockbuster and owes its roots to the hard-edged crime movies of the 1930s. Christopher Walken stars as a drug kingpin who is released from prison and vows to use his position and influence--and criminal enterprise--for charitable means. But a core group of New York cops are all over him and his gang, determined to go to war, whatever the cost, to bring him down. Eventually his empire--headquartered at, of all places, Donald Trump's Plaza Hotel--crumbles under the weight of double-crossing and a body count of open warfare with the cops. This is one of the most stylish films of the last decade, with a strong supporting cast (including Lawrence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes, and David Caruso) and some truly enthralling set pieces, including a stunning car chase and gunfight across a rain-soaked Queensboro Bridge. The film's tongue-in-cheek, over-the-top style offsets its nihilism; and its riveting visuals will have audiences hooked from beginning to end. --Robert Lane
Editorial
Special Features
4:3 Full Frame
DVD 5
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Stereo English
Dolby Digital Stereo
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
None
Editorial
Synopsis
Christopher Walken stars as Frank White, an ultracool crime boss, in this moody gem from director Abel Ferrara. Released from a long stint in jail, White rejoins his devoted gang, which includes the trigger-happy Jimmy Jump (Laurence Fishburne), Test Tube (Steve Buscemi), and his attractive attorney girlfriend, Jennifer (Janet Julian). Setting up headquarters in Trump Plaza, they start wiping out members of rival mobs in a bid to take back the streets and indulge in lots of cocaine and sex, but ultimately White has more noble ambitions, such as giving a fortune in drug money to charity. David Caruso, Victor Argo, and Wesley Snipes costar as a group of bitter cops who don't buy Frank's change of heart and decide to go outside the law to take him down. Poetic, sexy, funny, somber, and very violent, this critical hit cemented the rep of Ferrara and has earned a strong cult following. Bozan Bajelli serves as director of the arresting cinematography, which is full of rich shadows and gold, blue, and red hues. For fans of films such as THE GODFATHER and SCARFACE, this is essential viewing.
KING OF THE GANGSTER FILMS
Review date: 2008-07-14 Rating: 10 out of 10
KING OF NEW YORK easily takes SCARFACE's crown as king of the gangster films thanks to Walken. Brilliantly directed by Abel Ferrara - one of his best films! - and brilliant acting by Christopher Walken, definitely make this film a MUST SEE.
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Reviews
Walken and Fishburne shine
Review date: 2007-10-07 Rating: 6 out of 10
King of New York(1990) is a modern reworking of the Robin Hood legend. Its basically about a former drug lord who wants to use drug money to help poor and unfortunate people. Christopher Walken gives one of his five top best performances in the role of Frank. The feature is a neo noir because there are no people except for a couple that are likable.
Laurence Fishburne gives a very good performance as Frank's loyal right hand man. In fact, all of the action sequences involving him makes the actor the Hollywood B-movie eqevulent of Chow Yun Fat with his two gun act. Steve Buscemi has a bit part as a rival drug dealer. I only wished that the idea of putting a contract on the police was expanded on with a few scenes of many police officers being assassinated by Frank's men.
One memorable scene is where the police dressed up as drug dealers who raid and try to terminate Frank and his gang. Another excellent scene is the funeral sequence. The ending is unusually low key for a mafia flick.
Missed the target
Review date: 2007-08-11 Rating: 2 out of 10
I love Christopher Walken, no one can deliver a line quite like him. And this role seemed suited to him, as if it were molded in his image.
Unfortunately there is one problem - it's boring. The characters are not interesting, the story - been there, done that.
The filmmakers had an opportunity but the shot wasn't a good one and they missed the target.
It had all the makings but didn't deliver
Review date: 2007-03-20 Rating: 2 out of 10
Oh dear, I had such high hopes for this film, Christopher Walken, Lawerence Fishbourne and Wesley Snipes, and the ginger dude from NYPD Blue but it was terrible. It just didn't feel like it got started. The film preludes to Christopher Walken being some big king pin out from 'the joint' but all he did was beat up/kill some small time mafioso. Big deal...Lawerence Fishbourne was trying to be a modern day billy the kid but failed miserably and Wesley Snipes was a crooked cop who really wasn't that much to bragg about. All in all naff, leave it on the shelf and opt for something better like Goodfellas or even Copland was better than this!
Underrated crime masterpiece...
Review date: 2005-03-10 Rating: 10 out of 10
I love this film, it never gets old. It's blend of grim urban landscapes, clever intelligent plot and visceral action puts it miles ahead of almost any other crime movie you care to name, and it can stand with it's head held high as a classic on a par with the greats of the late 80s thru 90s gangster movie era, like Reservoir Dogs, True Romance, Heat and Pulp Fiction.
It's been overlooked somewhat in the face of such high profile company, but to be honest, this and Reservoir Dogs are the ones I keep coming back to. The characters are richly drawn and morally ambiguous in a fashion that makes it far more realistic than other crime films, as the cops are just as crooked as the gangsters, if not more, and you find yourself rooting for Walken and Fishburne throughout, as main cop Caruso is a nasty vile character despite being on 'the right side of the law'. Speaking of which the acting from the three leads is absolutely fantastic. Walken and Caruso are as charismatic and mesmerising as ever, but it's the young Fishburne (previous to this, he had had few leads in movies) who amazes as the hip young drug dealer, and almost steals Walken's show.
But make no mistake, it is Walken's show. His presence in this movie is riveting, and he manages to make the psychotic Frank believable as a man trying to do right somehow through his twisted system of morals. You don't want to sympathise with him but somehow Walken makes you, and this is the movie's greatest achievement, like Reservoir Dogs after it, you want the 'Bad guys' to win or at least get out alive.
As a movie, it's absolutely essential viewing for anyone with an interest in this kind of film, and a damn good view for anyone else too. To be honest this is one of my favourite films of all time, and it very much snuck up on me. An underground classic.
As to the DVD, if you like extras as much as the movie itself, this is not a great DVD on account of the complete lack of anything except the movie and the menu system, but it is cheap, and it is a brilliant film, so I would still recommend it despite the lack of extras.
On a final note, the people who say this movie is violent are right. This is not for the weak of stomach as it is visceral and bloody, even in comparison to Reservoir Dogs. As far as violence goes this is probably one of the most graphic and dark crime films I've seen. So if you hate film violence, it'll probably not be for you.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Laurence Fishburne
Christopher Walken
Victor Argo
David Caruso
Wesley Snipes
Creators:
Christopher Walken (Primary Contributor)
David Caruso (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: ITV DVD
Manufacturer: ITV DVD
EAN: 5037115049537
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2003-04-14
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1990-09-28
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)