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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
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...
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
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. 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.
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.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Abel Ferrera's superb gangster flick deserves a better DVD treatment than this. Full screen and as soft as your VHS copy even fora tenner this is a waste of your money. Wait for a better print.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 3 months ago by C. O. DeRiemer
King of Gangster Movies
King of New York has a great storyline, beautifully shot and one of the best shootout scenes ive ever seen.
Published 3 months ago by Mel Santino
New York Gangster
There's no real plot in King of New York. It's all about the acting and the action. It's good, but I feel Scarface(Al Pacino version) and New Jack City are ultimately better films... Read more
Published 11 months ago by j.r
Brilliant ganster action
A brilliant film with a real feel of unease and danger. Walken is perfectly cast as the gangster come back to make sure his outfits ticking over and clear up any competition. Read more
Published on 4 May 2010 by Mr. R. Watson
cult classic
i remember seeing this when i was about 14 and enjoying it but watching it now it stands out as a real classic. Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2010 by M. black
Walken all the way!
The box may say Special Edition, but there is nothing special about it. The sound is depressingly awful, the picture quality is lousy, the special features are laughable. Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2009 by Nim
Terrible sound
The film is ok but the sound quality of the dvd is terrible.
Avoid until it is released by another distributer.
Avoid until it is released by another distributer.
Published on 16 Jun 2009 by Billy Langsworthy
oscar
this is my ganstermovie i like verymuch it olso a clascic so i sa buy
this you like this is a do
this you like this is a do
Published on 11 Feb 2009 by orange tom
KING OF THE GANGSTER FILMS
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! Read more
Published on 14 July 2008 by Sick-o
Walken and Fishburne shine
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. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2007 by Jay
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