 "An Instant Classic!!!" | 2009-11-05 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1XVJJPYQDFQE9 |
When I like a movie, people hate me. So grab your tomatos! Holy Crap it was good!! Departed is a crime drama directed by my main man Martin S. It's well acted and the pacing is incredible. If you are a crime buff, buy this movie. I loved the plot, I loved the tension, I loved the gore and I really loved the ending...However, what really struck me (and probably only me) is that this film presents us with one of the greatest battles between good and evil I've ever seen.
Matt Damon is the villain, here, and he's the most digusting person ever. Bred a criminal litterally from the age of 10 to his graduation of the Massachusetts State Police Department, he goes undercover as a police officer in the "Staties" to keep the fuzz off of the back of his boss Jack Nicholson, Boston's most notorious mobster. Meanwhile, head of Internal Affairs Martin Sheen and Marky-Mark have a man or two planted in Nicholson's outfit that Matt Damon doesn't quite know about...yet. Sheen hires "Statie" graduate DiCaprio under the table to go undercover as a muscle for Nicholson to gather evidence for an offical and legal coup. You see, DiCaprio was sort of a black sheep in his family, very innocent and benevolent. Since both his father and uncle once worked with Nicholson in previous years, it's implied that Nicholson just assumes the very smart and talented "kid" is trustworthy enough to resume his family's work in the mafia. The whole point of the film is DiCaprio's taking down Nicholson without being made by Damon.
Damon and DiCaprio are written perfectly into the movie. Damon is a slick smart-alec who can get anything and everything he wants acting like the "good guy"...while DiCaprio (the real good guy) suffers through beatings and murders, totally killing his spirit to fight crime. The movie gets good when an affair with woman brings these two guys together. You can see their true colors and really appreciate the excellent performances they put out. Nicholson is also very sinister in this movie. He was perfect for the role of a criminal that's getting old. Good lines and great expressions. This is definitely his best role as an older character. Sheen and Wahlberg play believable cops. Sheen is completely innocent and kind. Mark W. is a little harsh, but you periodically see him swallow his pride and show that he's a warmhearted guy deep down. Other cast members are great. Some are pretty funny, actually. If the plot sounds cool, check it out. This is a movie about murder, deception, loss and how pride really does come before the fall. A+ |
| |
| "Martin Scorsese is back in a big way!" | 2009-10-23 |
| - Reviewed By User: A180HEMSDXBHMX |
"The Departed" inspires many easy superlatives: the director's best since "Goodfellas"--maybe even better; his most entertaining film since "The Color of Money"--maybe even more; and the best story he has put to screen since "The Age of Innocence"--maybe even better. To throw some more hyperbolical praise its way, here goes: This is the best gangster film since "Pulp Fiction"--maybe even...well, you get the point.
Like Michael Mann ("Collateral," "Heat"), Scorsese has gone back to what he does best, yet integrates the filmmaking skills he picked up from his departures from his original genre. The result is a movie that fires on all pistons. The story of two rats--one a cop pretending to be a gangster (Leonardo DiCaprio), the other a loyal gangster who appears to be a cop (Matt Damon)--and the devilish boss they both serve (Jack Nicholson) is an intellectual roller-coaster ride that keeps viewers glued to their seats until the final frames. Working from a superb script by William Monaghan (Kingdom of Heaven), all the actors in the star-studded cast turn in exceptional performances. DiCaprio shines yet again in his third collaboration with Scorsese (the first two were Gangs of New York and The Aviator); beneath his poker-faced façade, Damon shows a greater range of emotional expression here than he ever has before; Mark Wahlberg, as an abrasive, in-your-face, hard-edged bulldog of a police sergeant, has stepped right back into the big time with his Oscar-worthy work here (his best ever and most memorable since Boogie Nights); as the lone lady in a boys' show, Vera Farmiga also holds the screen and provides the movie with some much needed heart; and in the limited screen time they have, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, and even Anthony Anderson manage to be memorable.
Simply stated, everything about this movie works (even Nicholson's reckless excesses): every detail, every plot twist, and every rockin' soundtrack choice. More than any other movie in recent memory, The Departed illustrates how most of us live double lives and how devastating the circumstances of doing so can be when they finally catch up to us. |
| |
| ":)" | 2009-09-26 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2XXGTYZJ3EC2U |
| one of the most amazing movies! if i could give it 6 stars, i would! |
| |
 "If you saw Infernal Affair Trilogy, this is a rental." | 2009-09-19 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3DSUPA8E67I7R |
| This is a good movie, NOT GREAT, consider it is a remake. I saw the original Infernal Affair Trilogy first. It was so much better, Andy Lau and Tony Leung make Leo and Mark look like kids trying to be men. Acting were better too. The detail plot and suspense were also much better. If you have not seen Departed, do yourself a favor see the Infernal Affair Trilogy first..then Departed is worth a rental, bought the IA Trilogy bluray for around $80, love it and no regret... |
| |
| "Martin Scosese's Most Thrilling Movie since Blockbuster "Goodfellas"" | 2009-09-07 |
| - Reviewed By ianphillipsuk |
"The Departed" (2006) is a thrilling, totally riviting crime-drama, directed by the award-winning Martin Scorsese, delivering what is undoubtedly his most enthralling film since the masterpiece "Goodfellas" (1990). "The Departed" was based on the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs" by Alan Mak and Felix Chong. William Monahan delivered the scorching screenplay, crackling with savage, brutal wit while producers of "The Departed" included Brad Pitt, Brad Grey and Graham King. With such a high calibre team behind the scenes, the impressive array of A list actors all deliver magnificent performances, complimenting the stark blend of unflinching violence, harrowing, psychological drama and exhilirating, rip-roaring action scenes.
Young Billy Costigan (Leonardo Di Caprio) is a rookie, Boston-based cop. Billy grew up in a world surrounded by crime and violence. Billy's superiors, the diligient Queenan (martin Sheen) and ever-obnoxious, but straight, Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) are desperate to catch notorious local mafia godfather Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) and see Billy as the only suitable member of the team, given his background, to go undercover and trap Costello. Reluctantly Billy agrees, seeing he has little choice, and cunningly wins Costellos trust.
The intriguing drama unravels further when, unbeknown to Billy, Queenan and Dignam, is that Costello had groomed sneaky and nauseating Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) to be his unscrupulous spy on the force. In a flash back sequence at the beginning of the film, it depicts that Costello had preyed upon Colin when he was just a young boy and brainwashed him to his evil, corrupt way of thinking.
Heading the cast is another stunning performance from the versatile Leonardo Di Caprio as the mentally tortured undercover cop Billy Costigan. He conveys many dimensions to his character, giving it infinite depth. You get a more psychological insight into his character during the scenes where Billy pours his heart and anguish out to his understanding councellor, who he subsequently ends up having an on-off affair with (while she is dating Colin Sullivan).
Jack Nicholson is devilishly evil as Frank Costello, the highly feared king of the underworld. His mere presence in the fim enhances the seedy, cut-throat atmosphere. Costello is clearly insane and when he discovers there's a "rat" among his team, his paranoya escalated further and he begins losing his mind. This is played with stark realism by Jack Nicholson who is in his best role in some years.
Matt Damon plays the snake Colin Sullivan, Costellos mole, and shines in all of his scenes. On occasions during the film, you question whether you should really feel some empathy towards his character having clearly been brainwashed and manipulated by Costello when he was at a very impressionable age. However, upon witnessing Colin's underhand tricks and how he evidently wouldn't think twice of killing anyone he even suspects as getting in his way or bringing him down, you suddenly lose that slight sense of empathy.
Even the luminous lead performances by Leonardo Di Caprio, Jack Nicholson and Matt Damon have an extremely hard job not being upstaged by the stunning, scene-stealing supporting performances from Ray Winstone, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin and Martin Sheen. The ultimate on-screen hard man, Ray Winstone, is terrifying as the cool, calm collected hitman Mr. French. Ray's understated performance is oscar worthy! He possesses a strong screen presence and the way he can shift from being composed to just suddenly gunning down somebody without even blinking, is ever-riviting to watch. Very edge of your seat stuff! Quite simply he steals any scene hes in and even Leonardo Di Caprio and Jack Nicholson seem slightly humble in his presence.
Mark Wahlberg is also thoroughly fantastic in his memroable supporting turn as the snide Dignam. Dignam is, thankfully, on the right side of the law (until the end that is - wont say anymore as dont wish to spoilt it for those that yet to view this film) but revels in winding up undercover mole Billy and constantly cross paths with him, Colin and other members of the force. Mark Wahlberg richly compiments the rapid flow of the razor sharp dialogue and seemingly breezes into his character almost effortlessly. Martin Sheen is also of good value too, in his small but effective role of the more sympathetic detective Queenan while Alec Baldwin also delivers a scene-stealing performance as a passionate though often aggressive cop.
With a gallery of top notch actors, an intriguing screenplay, first-class direction, rollercoaster dialogue, "The Departed" is an exceptional film, and nothing short of a masterpiece.
The extras on this double disc set are all fascinating. they include additional scenes with introductions by Martin Scorsese and documentaries such as Stranger than fiction:The story of the Boston Mob, The real Life Gangster behind Jack Nicholsons character and theatrical trailer. Excellent value for money!
Ian Phillips
September 2009
|
| |
| "Direct remake of "Infernal Affairs" offers plenty except originality" | 2009-08-29 |
| - Reviewed By sheef93 |
Martin Scorsese may be the most beloved director for American cinephiles. From his early triumphs to his later masterworks to his repeated Oscar snubs, Scorsese was always on the short list of Great American Directors. Who hadn't heard some film nut wax poetic over Scorsese's tale of listening to the gangsters talking on the streets near his childhood home, "so he knows how these guys talk!" Who hadn't been reminded of his encyclopedic knowledge of American music and his mastery of soundtracks? Who hadn't heard of the legendary violence in his movies?
"The Departed" was a seeming odd choice for Scorsese - it's a direct remake of the Asian blockbuster, "Infernal Affairs." Indeed, if you have seen "IA," as I have, you really have to question all the accolades that Scorsese and Team earned with this movie - including Scorsese's Oscar for Best Picture. If there has been a greater example of a "make up" award, I can't think of one.
The plot of "IA," adopted by "The Departed," is fantastic - a criminal organization has a mole buried deep in the metro police, and the police bury a mole deep in the criminal organization. They are charged with finding each other while coping with this soul-crushing burden. Both cops and criminals play for keeps - the body count is as high as the tension. And cellular phones feature prominently in both films.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon play the respective moles. DiCaprio works for the police and gets close to mob boss Frank Costello, played with brio but not much originality by Jack Nicholson. (Jack's played this role before, although his Boston accent is something new.) Damon gets close to the top of the police food chain, populated with such talented actors as Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, and Martin Sheen. There's plenty of testosterone to go 'round, especially when Damon and DiCaprio fall for the same police shrink.
This is not a bad movie, and if you haven't seen "IA" before, you might think it's great. However, there's something about watching a copy - even one as stylish and brutal as "The Departed" - that saps the experience. |
| |
![The Departed [Blu-ray]](product_images/4924000/4924469_medium.jpg)
![Buy The Departed [Blu-ray] for $10.99](images/merchant_logos/amazon.gif)
Expedited Available
![Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [Blu-ray]](product_images/4924000/4924481_thumb.jpg)
![Check Prices on Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [Blu-ray]](images/v2/check_prices.png)
![The Phantom of the Opera [Blu-ray]](product_images/4922000/4922646_thumb.jpg)
![300 [Blu-ray]](product_images/4932000/4932325_thumb.jpg)
![The Last Samurai [Blu-ray]](product_images/4922000/4922633_thumb.jpg)
