The story is based on real events. In the 1970s, drug trafficking was rampant in Harlem, New York, and it became a gathering place for drugs and crime in the northeastern United States. Almost everyone is taking drugs, and the police even started "robbing money", and politicians also joined in, processing the confiscated drugs, and selling them for huge profits. Frank Lucas, a young and promising black man, was educated as a "master" since childhood. On the surface, he is a wealthy black man in the upper class, but in fact he found his brother to join the drug industry and became the legendary "American gangster". As the so-called three hundred and sixty lines, the line is the champion. He used the coffins of American soldiers killed in the Vietnam War to smuggle heroin from Southeast Asia to the United States, bribed a vote of high-level people, and gradually became the ruler of this drug empire. But unfortunately, in such a chaotic America, there is still a "rare character" like Detective Rich Roberts. He has a decent style, does not join forces with other police officers, and vows to find the big drug lord and bring him to justice.
As a film based on a true story, I would like to first admire the original character of Richie Roberts in this film. I admire him for being able to keep calm and stick to his own principles in such a chaotic society. It is a role model for everyone! Of course, Frank's prototype is also a very powerful character. His life is full of legends. To be able to do the "drug business" so perfectly, in addition to courage, he also has extraordinary wisdom and a "ruthless" character. Heart.
The movie was amazing from the start! Frank and Johnson stood in front of the enemy covered in gasoline and tied up, lit a cigarette leisurely, and then threw the lighter on him. Accompanied by the screams of the enemy's pain, Frank shot him blankly several times. pain of". Next, in a turn of the camera, Johnson became "God" again, showing kindness, sending food to the poor by the roadside, and playing the role of a good man in the city. Even after his death, government dignitaries, media, underworld, and white people all came to attend the funeral... Such a satirical approach immediately reflected the darkness and turmoil in American society at that time. All this was seen by Frank, and it made him determined to achieve great things in such an America.
With the development of the plot, the demeanor of the Oscar-winning actor is fully revealed in front of us. It has to be said that Denzel Washington's performance is really excellent. His consistent performance style is reflected in this film again. The acting is vivid, ruthless, and has a leadership temperament. In one of the episodes, a local snake thinks he is the boss and collects protection fees everywhere. Frank walks over and asks him for 20% of the money, and points a gun at his head. The man also arrogantly said: "What the hell do you want Frank? Do you want to kill me? In front of everyone? Come on..." As soon as he finished speaking, Frank actually shot, and said to the head snake lying on the ground, "I only take 20%!" Domineering, The ferocity was shown shockingly in just a few dozen seconds, which was impressive. (The gun was fired on the street, and he swaggered back to the restaurant to eat. The United States at that time was too...) The delivery of drugs behind was also more powerful. They even hid the drugs in the coffins of American soldiers killed in the Vietnam War from Southeast Asia to the United States. Smuggling heroin, while admiring Frank's smart mind, also finds it ironic. Is this the so-called most dangerous place is the safest place? I don't know what Americans will think when they see this. Personally, I feel that the director is too explicit about his ideas, and his criticism of society is more straightforward.
The soundtrack in the middle is also good. The role of music in many places is very obvious. It is an original soundtrack worthy of collection.
I was looking forward to the rivalry between Denzel and Russell, but in fact, after watching this film, I found that they only "meeted" at the end. There was no direct dialogue between them in a very long paragraph, and the characters were portrayed separately. Come. The description of Frank's growth is interspersed with the description of Rich's life: fighting with his wife for custody of the children, seeing police peers who have turned "black" every day, being bribed by peers, being mocked by peers for not making a fortune because of drug inspections Pen... Although there are a lot of scenes, but the lack of head-to-head confrontation makes me feel that it is a pity that Russell's performance as an actor did not play at all. Thinking about the "Time and Space Warriors" they filmed back then, it was a face of justice this time. In exchange, Denzel still performed outstandingly, but Russell felt that his performance was mediocre. Maybe it was because there were too few police officers like this, so I couldn't see the characteristics of authenticity. (There are really too few people who are not moved by the environment...)
Anyway, it's still a good film, without scenes full of visual effects, but still shocking! Some clips can make people discover a little shadow of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, but both are gangster films, and some similarities are normal. Although it is still the old-fashioned that justice triumphs over evil, I still appreciate this kind of "Black" style, I believe many people like it.
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