King of New York (1990)
1990
R
103 Minutes
A former drug lord returns from prison determined to wipe out all his competition and distribute the profits of his operations to New York's poor and lower classes in this stylish and ultra violent...
User Review
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Moving away from his video nasty traditions, Abel Ferrara creates a gritty, brutal crime thriller with an intriguing anti-hero. With an old school hip-hop soundtrack and unique performances, Ferrara delivers a satisfyingly thrilling criminal drama set in a dingy New York.
Some have accused the plot of being fragmentary. Critic Mark Caro gave the film only half a star. I have to disagree. While the plot isn't a groundbreaker, it follows all the usual beats of a good gangster film while adapting the head honcho role into a Robin Hood figure. In a way, Walken's anti-hero role reminded me of Robert Pattinson in Good Time; sympathetic but, ultimately, deeply flawed.
The film also boasts a healthy platter of brilliant supporting roles, namely Laurence Fishburne (or, as written in the credits, Larry) who pops and elasticates himself in a performance which is both tense and comedic.0 member like this review.
