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From Amazon.co.uk
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
Product Description
Christopher Walken is out of prison and back on the dirty streets of New York as convicted drug lord Frank White in a pitch black 90s crime classic from the magnificently disreputable Abel Ferrara (Driller Killer, Ms.45).
White returns to his old patch to find it in disarray as the parasites that moved in to capture his business don t share in the same Robin Hood spirit. Soon he s violently taking out the competition, stealing their stashes and turning a healthy profit on the gear, putting it towards building a new South Bronx hospital.
But you can t make an omelette without breaking some heads. As the street killings rise and the corrupt cops close in, White s crazed mix of criminal psychosis and heartfelt charity threatens to tear apart everything he s fought so hard to build...
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By TJ Doc
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Sorry... best title I could come up with.
One of these days, I should review a genuine DNR disaster (hey, I hear 'Predator''s going pretty cheap these days). Sadly, Arrow's latest release, 'King of New York', features a visible, well handled grain structure and plenty of detail, meaning I can't complain too much. While medium shots convey a pleasant enough level of fine detail, most close-ups are absolutely striking. Add in a real sense of depth, and Walken's remorseless visage has never looked so unnerving.
Colours also impress. Skin tones never look glaringly unnatural, while blood splatters the walls with rich enthusiasm. One scene, set in a dingy nightclub and lit entirely in blue, would be a prime contender for colour bleeding, but the picture remains stable throughout.
It's funny... the pasty blacks of 'Demons' came under heavy fire, but Arrow appear to have done a complete 180 here. Deep, dark, inky etc. with nary a compression artefact to be found, 'King' is mightily impressive in this department. I wouldn't completely rule out black crush, but I also wouldn't bother looking for any.
Nor should you go searching for edge enhancement, because there's virtually none of that either. This is a clean, natural-looking transfer that easily bests any previous releases.
Audio wise, the film's Stereo track is perfect. Strong, clear and precise - it's a faithful presentation of how 'King' was always meant to be heard. One or two lines of dialogue are barely comprehendible, but that's no fault of the disc (and can be easily rectified via the quick application of subtitles).
The 5.1 DTS-HD track is... another story, however.... Read more ›
One of these days, I should review a genuine DNR disaster (hey, I hear 'Predator''s going pretty cheap these days). Sadly, Arrow's latest release, 'King of New York', features a visible, well handled grain structure and plenty of detail, meaning I can't complain too much. While medium shots convey a pleasant enough level of fine detail, most close-ups are absolutely striking. Add in a real sense of depth, and Walken's remorseless visage has never looked so unnerving.
Colours also impress. Skin tones never look glaringly unnatural, while blood splatters the walls with rich enthusiasm. One scene, set in a dingy nightclub and lit entirely in blue, would be a prime contender for colour bleeding, but the picture remains stable throughout.
It's funny... the pasty blacks of 'Demons' came under heavy fire, but Arrow appear to have done a complete 180 here. Deep, dark, inky etc. with nary a compression artefact to be found, 'King' is mightily impressive in this department. I wouldn't completely rule out black crush, but I also wouldn't bother looking for any.
Nor should you go searching for edge enhancement, because there's virtually none of that either. This is a clean, natural-looking transfer that easily bests any previous releases.
Audio wise, the film's Stereo track is perfect. Strong, clear and precise - it's a faithful presentation of how 'King' was always meant to be heard. One or two lines of dialogue are barely comprehendible, but that's no fault of the disc (and can be easily rectified via the quick application of subtitles).
The 5.1 DTS-HD track is... another story, however.... Read more ›
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By T. Carne
Format:DVD
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.
... Read more ›3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This US release is the one to buy as it contains dvd extras and the picture quality is great. The UK special edition release had a really poor audio sound quality but here it's fine. As for the film itself it's a total classic with a brilliant Christopher Walken as Frank White just released from prison who sets out on reclaiming his position as the king by disposing of all rivals. Abel Ferarra is one of my all time favorite directors and his direction here is first class as always. It's atmospheric, highly stylish and full of energy (there's also a bit of sleeze). The film looks great and there's plenty of action too as well as a great cast. Lawrence Fishburn really shines as Walken's right hand man and David Caruso and Victor Argo are memorable also. The film isn't a chore to watch like some long winded gangster films as it's quite short and definitely should be in any film fans collection.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
With brilliant acting and fastidious attention to character and detail, this rollercoaster of a movie grabs from start to finish!!!!No film of recent times comes close to analysing with such insight the drug inhanced mind of a major crime figure and consequently relationships with those around him.
This movie transends the run of the mill crime caper and makes this a gangsta rappin classic!
This movie transends the run of the mill crime caper and makes this a gangsta rappin classic!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By ole
Format:VHS Tape
an exceptional gangster drama from abel ferrara (bad leiutenant & the addiction). intense perfomance from larry fishburne. christopher walken is at his creepy best. just out of prison, frank white (walken) declares war on all rival gangs. and when the cops get involved he puts a contract on them. sleek and sophisticated, a must see for any christopher walken fan!
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Walken
This fillm may not be of the greatest production quality but it is neither the worst. From around the same time as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, it suffers the same problems... Read more
Published 1 month ago by DRAshley
5.0 out of 5 stars
great svc
great svc will use again and will recommend to my friends, does what it says on the tin and arrives on time
Published 1 month ago by Peter Fearnley
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good film, bad sound
Review for King of new york dvd (2008 release) the image is great good job there but the sound is just awful... needs more work guys
Published 1 month ago by Kyle N
5.0 out of 5 stars
I forgotten how crazy Frank White was!?!
Replaced my old VHS copy! Great film / all star cast / old skool hip hop soundtrack with some Schoolly D. Gritty and raw!
Published 4 months ago by Mark Leach
4.0 out of 5 stars
King Walken
Christopher Walken and Abel Ferrara made King Of New York when both were at the peak of their careers. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Tando
2.0 out of 5 stars
mafia crime stuff
This film is poorly made and sadly very dated.The acting annoys you and makes you cringe.I would advise against purchasing this Dvd.
Published 8 months ago by sammy soft
5.0 out of 5 stars
walkin truly shines in this urban classic
to have arrow video released this classic urban saga in a steelbook edition truly blows my mind. The artwork just by itself is a conversation piece among friends who really enjoy... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Tracys
3.0 out of 5 stars
Bit Weird and Awful Sound
Gangster films are my thing, but I hadn't heard of this one for some reason. I gave it a go, based on the good reviews, but it just didn't do it for me. Read more
Published 9 months ago by E. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
"..A MASTERPIECE.."
This is a classic 80s must see gangster movie, a very dark and violent film about one man who wants total power over the crime in the city, Christopher Walken plays the lead with... Read more
Published 11 months ago by S. Drury
5.0 out of 5 stars
Says Frank White, "I never killed anybody who didn't deserve it.".
A finer odd-ball, stylish, violent crime drama I've yet to see. King of New York gives us the rise and fall of Frank White (Christopher Walken), a quiet drug king released from... Read more
Published 16 months ago by C. O. DeRiemer
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