King of New York (1990)

This low-budget crime thriller has the feel of a major blockbuster and owes its roots to the hard-edged crime movies of the 1930s. Christopher Walken stars as a drug kingpin who is released from prison and vows to use his position and influence--and criminal enterprise--for charitable means. But a core group of New York cops are all over him and his gang, determined to go to war, whatever the cost, to bring him down. Eventually his empire--headquartered at, of all places, Donald Trump's Plaza Hotel--crumbles under the weight of double-crossing and a body count of open warfare with the cops. This is one of the most stylish films of the last decade, with a strong supporting cast (including Lawrence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes, and David Caruso) and some truly enthralling set pieces, including a stunning car chase and gunfight across a rain-soaked Queensboro Bridge. The film's tongue-in-cheek, over-the-top style offsets its nihilism; and its riveting visuals will have audiences hooked from beginning to end. --Robert Lane Amazon.com

Shaky and Disjointed

A lot of the older 80's and 90's gangster flicks show their age and technical limitations but are still enjoyable. "New Jack City" and "Scarface" are hardly the powerhouse thrillers they were in the day, but can still entertain. Even though these two films are filled with archaic styles and the territory has been way too explored, they hold up.
KONY is a different kind of gangster film, and it's serious identity crisis is it's major shortcoming.
Christopher Walken is great actor and fans may enjoy him here solely for his odd and imitable speech patterns. Personally, I'd much rather hear him scream for "More Cowbell!" than to fake his way through such a miscast role as "King of New York" drug kingpin Frank White. Walkens Frank White seems to brood and be an introspective druglord who seems in constant deep thought after his release from Sing Sing. As he and his crew play "catch up ball" and liquidate enemies and corner the dope trade, Frank White ponders Robin Hood actions like saving a South Bronx hospital from bankruptcy.
KONY is a film torn between a straight up shoot-em-up and a thinky art piece. The shootouts are surreal but entertaining, the conflicts and the "deep look" into Frank White are dull and move at the pace of molasses. The cinematography and lighting are superb but the pacing and classical background music make the film overtly melodramatic and overlong even at less than 2 hours.

You'll see a few familiar faces here-Lawrence Fishburne is bad as the full 80's "so fly" leader of Whites crew, complete with rope chains and a cartoonish dialogue. Steve Buscemi is not permitted any personality or significant lines that showcase his talents. Vic Argo, a character actor whose face you may recognize is decent as the cop on White's trail.

I wouldn't NOT reccomend this, but I would warn anyone going in it may not be what is expected. I love Walken and he amuses and entertains often. He's just not buyable as a leader of an urban drug ring, especially as he is so quiet and emotionless to lead the inner city crew that does his dirty work. June 13, 2008

awesome movie, razor sharp on blu ray

difference is night and day from standard def to blu ray. razor sharp clarity. May 22, 2008

The bloody farewell!

King of New York remains as one of the most notable peaks in the legendary trajectory of Abel Ferrara, a quoted cult director (Ms 45), because combines that nostalgic rapture of a lord of the underworld, superbly performed by Christopher Walken, who leaders a gang composed exclusively of black men, who wait for him after he gets out of prison, just to find the world he lived has changed, that Colombian, Chinese and Italian gangs have invaded his territory.

So, as it's usual in these cases he will have to clean and clear this state of things, through a zealous, systematic and hyper violent decantation of every bunch. There's abundant doses of violence, as we may expect, but this device is not free; expresses without circumlocutions, a sort of final testament, because he is infected of AIDS and that's what impulses him to support a public healthy hospital, seriously threatened to close the doors due many financial restrictions.

On the other side of the street, we have a bunch of brave officers, who are reluctant to become stone guests in this solemn façade and are not disposed to allow Frank White appears as a redemptive benefactor before the society. They are aware his procedures and will make the best they can to face him.

The nocturnal stages confers and even accents the tragic atmosphere , of this superb and overlooked Noir of the early Nineties that includes overwhelming performances of supporting characters; Lawrence Fishburne makes an outstanding characterization of sinister mercenary as well David Caruso as the driving force of the arm of the law.

A must see and have. A personal hard to die cult movie ever.

February 24, 2008

Christopher at his best!!

This is a classic CW movie and he shines in this action packed classic. If you like this actor then this is a must have DVD. If violence makes you uneasy then grab your blankie to throw over your head when the action starts!! Chris plays a New York City tough being released from prison...and his original turf has been hijacked from him by competitors. His original gang memebers are still intact...and they set the stage for his release by ELIMINATION. As Christopher says in the movie..."I JUST DON'T FEEL ANY REMORSE." He is a tough guy with a soft heart for his old neighborhood.....gotta see this one. This one compares with Al Pacino's shoot em up movies.....and it has a great supporting cast of well known actors. January 6, 2008

rhythm

Rhythm.

Train tracks, rap tracks, coke rails, bullet trails.

This is a Robin Hood story.

The plot is kinda predictable

.. but the actors are in a weird Nihilistic ZONE.

Mssrs Fishburne, Walken, Caruso and Esposito do some of the best work in their careers up in here.

I also applaud the women: Theresa Randle and Janet Julian.

The Chinese gangster also A+ = Joey Chin. Brilliant performance.

Thanks, Abel. It's so NYC. October 5, 2007

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