This over-blown "historical" drama about the early days of New York City (mid-19th century) is high on violence, low on characterization. It's also high on violence, low on depth. Did I repeat "violence"? Oh, sorry! I guess the chopping off of all those ears got to me.

By the way, did I say this film is long? Even so, you have the sense that at its running time of 2 hours and 45 minutes, a third of the film is still lying somewhere on some cutting room floor. Consequently, transitions are often awkward, as are the extras who seem to have just donned their "authentic" costumes five minutes before the shooting of their scenes began.

But before we get to the plot, let it be said, there's only one memorable "Faggot!" spouted plus several shots of transvestite prostitutes. Thankfully, all the bastards here are heterosexual, just like in real life now that J. Edgar Hoover is dead.

Anyway, the film starts out with Amsterdam, a young boy, watching his father (Liam Neeson), the leader of the Dead Rabbits, being killed by the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis). The two men and their gangs (looking as if they were borrowed from the set of "Mad Max 4") are fighting it out for control of an area called Five Points.

Jump ahead 16 years. Amsterdam, now played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is released from reform school. Returning to Five Points seeking revenge, Amsterdam joins the Butcher's gang in hopes of finding an opportunity to kill him. The only other line of plot is that Amsterdam falls for a pickpocket played by Cameron Diaz. In a moment that people with lots of knife wounds will appreciate, this pair makes love to each other's scars.

In the finale, an event known as the "draft riots" occurs. This is a sorry real-life happening in which many African Americans were strung up on Big Apple streets. "Gangs of New York" does the event little justice. The horrific occurrence comes off as pure exploitation. Director Scorsese apparently needed a big finale. He got one, but it doesn't help the film one iota.

"Gangs," in the end, comes off as "The Warriors" lite. In fact, if you need a good dose of creative Gotham hordes bashing each other, I'd rent that feisty 1979 endeavor.

-- Brandon Judell

Gangs of New York
		168 minutes, color 35mm, English
		"Straight", Drama
		Subjects: Action/Adventure, History/Herstory, Racism