Who saw The Departed?

[dusty]

It was fantastic wasn't it? I'm excited to see a return to 1990s form for Scorsese.

 

[EL72]

Saw it last night. It was good and likely better than the average Hollywood crap but was certainly not Scorcese's best work. It was entertaining and the cast was excellent but there were a few holes in the story and the ending was blah, even if relatively unpredictable.

DiCaprio's performance was very good (he overacted a few scenes but was generally good). Damon was his usual boring self. Nicholson was excellent and worth the price of admission by himself; there are a couple of scenes that will become instant classic Nicholson scenes. Alec Baldwin, Sheen and Wahlberg were all excellent in supporting roles - Baldwin was in especially good form.

Scorcese's best films were his early ones in the 70s and early 80s. Not sure what he did in the 90s that was so great but this was not as good as Casino or Goodfellas. I thought the Aviator was better too and it's a toss-up with Gangs of New York.

Overall, the cast and acting were great while the plot and directing were just above average. Final grade is 7.5/10

 

[Manny Calavera]

Originally Posted by EL72

It was good and likely better than the average Hollywood crap but was certainly not Scorcese's best work.

Exactly what I was going to type. In my mind Scorcese hasn't done anything worthwhile since Last Temptation. All his efforts since have been slightly better than average Hollywood fodder.

 

[darkoak]

I actually liked the original HK version better. The whole thing with Damon and DiCaprio getting involved with the same woman just seems too far fetched. Also, Mark Wahlberg's role, which didn't exist in the original, seems to be wedged in so he can say very vulgar things.

 

[dusty]

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I haven't seen the original -- how did they end it without Wahlberg's character? Did Damon's character still get killed?

 

[FLMountainMan]

I actually saw it twice in two days (my girlfriend really wanted to see it too). I thought it was excellent. Matt Damon played the role of a poor kid wanting to be better very well. I thought it was a great movie but the movie snobs can say what they want.

As a side note, I love the people who, no matter what, always state that the original (usually European) was better. As if somehow seeing Insomnia in the original norweigan (which I have seen, btw) was just an incredible experience and the crass American version is unadulterated crap. Not to say that the original isn't sometimes better, but give the superiority complex a rest sometimes, guys.

 

[EL72]

Originally Posted by darkoak

I actually liked the original HK version better. The whole thing with Damon and DiCaprio getting involved with the same woman just seems too far fetched. Also, Mark Wahlberg's role, which didn't exist in the original, seems to be wedged in so he can say very vulgar things.

Agreed. The woman shrink seeing both guys is just stupid. I didn't mind the Wahlberg character though, he made things more colourful and provided a good counterpoint to the more serious Sheen character. He had a few funny lines too.

 

[EL72]

Originally Posted by FLMountainMan

I actually saw it twice in two days (my girlfriend really wanted to see it too). I thought it was excellent. Matt Damon played the role of a poor kid wanting to be better very well. I thought it was a great movie but the movie snobs can say what they want.

As a side note, I love the people who, no matter what, always state that the original (usually European) was better. As if somehow seeing Insomnia in the original norweigan (which I have seen, btw) was just an incredible experience and the crass American version is unadulterated crap. Not to say that the original isn't sometimes better, but give the superiority complex a rest sometimes, guys.

I haven't seen the original (and didn't even know there was one) but I think your comment about movie snobs suffers from the same stereotyping flaw you accuse them of. Darkoak provided two very relevant, and in my opinion quite valid, reasons why the HK version is better. You may disagree but he did not trash the US version in a knee-jerk reaction simply because it's a remake.

Frankly, the idea that both leading characters would be involved with the same woman is quite laughable. Scorcese loses big marks in my book for that one and the movie would certainly have been better without that idiotic plotline, hence the HK version may well be better all else being equal.

 

[darkoak]

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Mark Wahlberg character is there to provide comedic relief and

Spoiler

the Hollywood ending. The HK ending was more ironic. I actually thought he was funny in a vulgar kind of way and didn't mind it as much, only at the end.

I wonder what's in the sealed envelope DiCaprio gave the shrink.

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anyone thinks the baby's Leo's rather than Matt's? Maybe we'll find out in the DVD.

Anyway, FL, I am not a movie snob and I don't always think the original, European or otherwise, is better than the remake. Also, it's my personal opinion. You can say whatever you feel about the movie.

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by FLMountainMan

I actually saw it twice in two days (my girlfriend really wanted to see it too). I thought it was excellent. Matt Damon played the role of a poor kid wanting to be better very well. I thought it was a great movie but the movie snobs can say what they want.

As a side note, I love the people who, no matter what, always state that the original (usually European) was better. As if somehow seeing Insomnia in the original norweigan (which I have seen, btw) was just an incredible experience and the crass American version is unadulterated crap. Not to say that the original isn't sometimes better, but give the superiority complex a rest sometimes, guys.

Well the original is usually better. Maybe because remakes are, at least partly, about rehashing a success recipee and this usually leads to a lack of integrity. Now that being said I have seen the original, which was a nice crime blockbuster like HK can often churn them out but I'm not saying the remake won't be any good. Problem is I don't think DiCaprio is credible as an even remotely tough guy and don't like his brand of overacting so I'll have trouble focussing on the actual movie.

 

[briancl]

I liked it. I saw it in a filled theater, and the movie got lots of laughs (at the right spots, of course).

 

[Master Shake]

Very worthwhile movie. Acting was top notch, and Scorcese did another fine job (not up there with his best stuff, but still rather good).

I thought Alec Baldwin was phenomenal. The Patriot Act line is one of my all-time favorites. I loved the dialogue.

I will make sure to watch the original.

 

[Ivan Kipling]

Fine acting. Confusing script. Profuse profanity and gore. Couldn't keep track of who was who. When the final murder finally exploded, I felt such a sense of relief: Thank God.
rating: four aspirins

 

[Homme]

Loved it, will see it again soon.

 

[Get Smart]

just saw it, really loved it. The violence came quick and fast, rather than building up, which made it more dynamic. I thought it was a relatively faithful remake of the original (which is also great and worth seeing) and the liberties they took worked for the new film. I heard the Wahlberg character was a last minute addition not in the original script, and he works and makes for good comic relief in an otherwise serious film