- S: Some of the features of the film fail to appease the rational mind: the car-subway chase scene and final set-up scenes are amazing, but feel like
they would have significant professional and personal consequences that are not realized in the narrative. A couple of questions come to mind while watching:
Why did the assassin take a long range shot, particularly if he was going to miss many times? Why don't the police identify themselves to each other while searching the buildings?
- C: Beautifully shot. The car chase scene is one of the most incredibly tense scenes I've ever seen. The sets are one of the highlights of the film. Visually stunning.
- E: Very well paced narrative coupled with great acting and excellent camera work make this film unforgettable. The music is also, perhaps intentionally, amateur
sounding in many instances, with instruments obviously out of tune and dissonant. It adds an interesting presence to the on-screen actitivies. Only lull is present when the film goes behind the scenes to reveal
some of the plottings of the drug dealers. The film would have been nearly the same without it.
- N: Brilliant story propped up largely by nuanced, detailed detective work. This movie reminds me a lot of The Wire, another show heralded for its brilliant writing. Only negative is
the inclusion of the reveal of some of the drug dealers' plans. This inside-look at the "villian's" side is too shallow and too distracting. It takes away from the
tortuous investigative work Popeye and Cloudy undertake.
- T: The film received four bonus points: one for the on-and-off subway chicanery, one for the most excellent action sequence I've ever seen in the car chase scene, one for the
car teardown scene, and one for the final scene's abandoned building and lighting.
One of the best police-detective movies I've ever seen. Definitely a film that holds up many years later. Reminds me greatly of the excellent television show The Wire, another
piece of media that stands the test of time. Great story, unbelievably good action sequences, memorable lines - what else can you ask for? I'll definitely pick my feet in Poughkeepsie again.
Number of Watches: 1
