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American GangsterMovie Reviews

Poster art for "American Gangster."
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Metascore®76 out of 100 | Generally favorable reviews

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 100
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    This is an engrossing story, told smoothly and well, and Russell Crowe's contribution is enormous. Read full review

  • 90
    Los Angeles Times | Kenneth Turan

    Finely made and richly satisfying film. Read full review

  • 88
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    The movie, based on a true story, takes surprising twists and turns right up to its chilling ending and is probably the best gangster crime drama of the year. Read full review

  • 83
    The Onion (A.V. Club) | Tasha Robinson

    Only Washington stands out; he's charming, intense, and charismatic as ever. Read full review

  • 80
    Time | Richard Schickel

    I don't think it attains the Godfather level -- it lacks dark passion and grand-scale irony -- but it is an intelligent, well-made and seductive movie. Read full review

  • 80
    Village Voice | J. Hoberman

    As archetypal as its title, Ridley Scott's would-be epic aspires to enshrine Harlem dope king Frank Lucas in Hollywood heaven, heir to Scarface and the Godfather. Or, as suggested by the Mark Jacobson article on Lucas that inspired the movie, a real-life Superfly. Read full review

  • 80
    Variety | Todd McCarthy

    Absorbing, exciting at times and undeniably entertaining, and is poised to be a major commercial hit. But great it's not. Read full review

  • 75
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    Meticulous and detailed, a drug-world epic that holds you from moment to moment, immersing you in the intricate and sleazy logistics of crime. Yet the movie isn't quite enthralling; it's more like the ghost version of a '70s classic. Read full review

  • 75
    ReelViews | James Berardinelli

    Like in "Training Day" and "Malcolm X," where he portrayed less than perfect individuals, Washington rules the screen. His portrayal is one of many things that elevates this film to the level of being consistently entertaining and occasionally compelling. Read full review

  • 70
    The New York Times | Manohla Dargis

    Greatness hovers just outside American Gangster, knocking, angling to be let in. Read full review