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Storyline
A former drug lord returns from prison determined to wipe out all his competition and distribute the profits of his operations to the city's poor in this stylish and ultraviolent modern twist on Robin Hood. Written by
Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>
Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Taglines:
The cops tried to stop him their way...Now they'll have to do it HIS way.
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Did You Know?
Goofs
In the car chase, the right headlight gets knocked out in the dark sedan, but later shots of the chase show both headlights working on all three cars.
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Quotes
Frank White:
[
to Gilley before he kills him]
Hey. You.
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Connections
References
Nosferatu (1922)
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Soundtracks
"Am I Black Enough For You?"
Written and Performed by
Schooly-D (as Schooly D)
Courtesy of Jive Records
Published by Willesden Music Inc.
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Abel Ferrara as a director has his ups and downs. In his entire career, the only masterpiece he made was "Bad Lieutenant". However, the rest of his films are always interesting if never completely successful. "King of New York" is a very offbeat crime film and will not appeal to those seeking another "Goodfellas". However, the film eventually won me over because of its dreamlike atmosphere. This is one of the more surreal mob films I've seen. Most of the characters are a bit one-note, but Ferrara's direction is intriguing and Walken is great as usual. The film is slowly paced which, along with the bizarreness, makes it very inaccessible.
Walken turns in his most Walken performance. I'll leave that up to you as being a good thing or not, but personally I love the man. He is strange as all hell and unnerving at moments but is memorable all the same. I'm not sure if the humor was intentional, but there's something hilarious about watching Walken dancing to Schooly D surrounded by marijuana smoke. The supporting cast is one of the most bizarre ever assembled and is truly once in a lifetime. Laurence Fishburne's character is a blaxploitation throwback stereotype but easily steals the show. Victor Argo, David Caruso, Wesley Snipes, Janet Julian, and Paul Calderon are all good in their roles. "King of New York" is definitely not for everyone, but those interested in more offbeat and dreamlike films will enjoy it. Its more of an art film than an action film. (7/10)