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Another Case of MRM (Marginal Remake Mania) Detected?!? Scorsese's THE DEPARTED Is "Typical", Says The Negotiator!!

Published at:  Jun 07, 2006 10:13:33 AM CDT

SPOILER ALERT !!






href="mailto:merrick@aintitcool.com">Merrick here...











The Negotiator wrote in from a test screening of THE DEPARTED, Martin Scorsese’s remake (sigh) of 2002’s HK thriller INFERNAL AFFAIRS.



This redux features Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Anthony Anderson, and Alec Baldwin.



And this pedigree adds up to...? Mediocrity, according to The Negotiator.



Is it possible that even Scorsese can't beat the "We Shouldn't Be Remaking So Many Damn Movies, Especially When We're Not Making Them Very Well" curse that currently ails the industry, with no end in sight?



Here’s The Negotiator's report…







SPOILERS AHEAD!!!











The Departed is a remake of the Chinese film “Infernal Affairs” which came out in Asia in 2002. I.A is about two men that are ordered to spy on each other’s organizations. One is a mole in the gang while the other is a mole in the police. The film starred Tony Leung (Hard Boiled, Hero) and Andy Lau (House of Flying Daggers). And typical of Hollywood the film got remade with a big name director, Mr. Martin Scorsese, and big name actors. But did all of this talent pay off?




Now this film has a major cast. Matt Damon plays the Andy Lau character, the mole in the police, while Leo Dicaprio plays the Leung character, the mole in the gang. Jack Nicholson plays the mob boss and Martin Sheen plays the Captain character. Mark Wahlberg and Alec Baldwin are also in the movie with minor roles and were my most favorite characters. Anthony Anderson hot off the heels of his dramatic roles in “Hustle & Flow” and a guest appearance on “Law & Order: SVU’ is completely wasted in the film with a very minor role. Now Leo and Matt give good performances and the characters somewhat remain true to the core of the characters from I.A. Some new back-story is given to Leo’s character which gets him the job of being the mole which adds some depth to the character. One problem I had with the film is that Damon’s character was a complete tool throughout the film.




Sure there were a few moments when he was likeable but for the most part he was an ass. In I.A Lau was mostly likeable and by the end of the film he was a changed man, which isn’t the case in The Departed. Also Damon isn’t a big foil the Leo’s character. In I.A Lau was on the mark but in The Departed it was just ‘meh’.



Simply put this film does some things a bit better that I.A but overall it isn’t a better film.



The Departed does add some more depth to the characters, especially the mob boss played by Jack Nicholson, but it doesn’t necessarily make the story any better. One thing the film does do is that it stays true to the core story with a few minor changes. The psychologist character that was in I.A, now played by the lovely Vera Farmiga, is given a bigger role and is put in a love triangle with Matt Damon and Leo Dicaprio characters. Also the story takes place in Boston so they are some kind of annoying Boston accents throughout the movie.



One thing that the film does is make the mob boss character a complete psycho who in one scene participates in a three way in which one of the women is donning a strap on. Is this scene really necessary? I was really disappointed with Nicholson’s performance as it was a bit too over the top for me and it had a few too many comedic moments, including his death scene.



Now those who have seen I.A may be dying to know if The Departed stays true to the ending, and the answer is yes and no. Does Leo die at the end like Leung, yes. Does Matt Damon survive to possibly become a better man like Lau, no. After the funeral scene for Leo, Matt goes to his apartment where he sees Mark Wahlberg who then shoots him. Now Marky Mark obviously found out that Damon was the mole and wanted revenge for his treachery. I don’t have a problem with this added ending but as Damon’s dead body lies on the ground a massive rat proceeds to nibble at the groceries that he dropped when he was shot. This scene got a big laugh from the audience but I thought it underscored the moment with too much black comedy.



Another thing about the film is that it just felt a bit typical. It was really nothing new in terms of the story and everyone has seen mobster movies before and The Departed really adds nothing new to the genre. There were times when the film felt like an extended episode of the Sopranos except it was in Boston with pretty actors. Overall The Departed was a decent film but those who have seen Infernal Affairs will likely not hold to such a high regard as others do. If the film gets some editing, which it really needs in the first half hour, and ditches some of the black comedy moments, it could be a decent remake of a really good Chinese movie.





The Departed opens in early October, with a script by William Monahan (whose credits include KINGDOM OF HEAVEN and the mythical JURASSIC PARK IV), and a score by Howard Shore.









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    Readers Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:18:55 AM CDT

    First!

    by kung fu hustler

    I love the original, but who would not pay to see a Scorsese flick, even an inferior one?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:20:30 AM CDT

    WHY!?

    by bean_

    Stop the fucking remakes!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:21:33 AM CDT

    Firrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrst

    by kristian66

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:21:34 AM CDT

    Matt Da...

    by giz

    ...na, too easy...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:25:38 AM CDT

    Damn

    by jasper stillwell

    The day Scorsese makes a 'typical' gangster film then its really time for the man to hang his hat up and make documentaries on countercultural idols like Dylan for good. I wish he'd stop whoring his ass out by including Fat Leo in everything too...what's wrong with using Ed Norton as a regular 'muse' for god's sake???

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:30:01 AM CDT

    Remake Election

    by jackinitraw

    Election and Election 2 are WAY better than IA!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:33:26 AM CDT

    Taxi Driver - The Prequel

    by jasper stillwell

    Small kid sat alone at the edge of the playground with a 'what-you-talking-bout-Willis/Omen-type-expression', cut to Fat Leo as Bickle in 'Nam, groovy twisted 60s soundtrack, then DeNiro sat in a taxi in contemporary New York having psychotic flashbacks over the fact that a copy cat killer is terrorizing New York around the 30th anniversary of the Bickle vigilante case (could it be???), cut back to the 60s with Leo/Bickle:'I dunno man I get these voices in my head'..., confronting a Viet Cong prisoner when he misunderstands the translation '...sorry are you talking to me?', Leo/Bickle discovers first porn stash, gets his drivers license in Queens, C'mon Marty its box office gold!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:34:20 AM CDT

    I've disliked Scorcesse's last two films a lot...

    by bigtuna

    The Aviator was ridiculously overrated. I felt like I spent 3 long hours learning absolutely nothing about Hughes. He dated famous women, flew planes, crashed planes, had some OCD attacks, repeat. The film was such a shallow biopic that gave no insight into him.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:35:53 AM CDT

    Foreign remakes are somewhat acceptable to me

    by kung fu hustler

    Let's face it -- the majority of people don't want to read subtitles when watching a movie. Some are dumb and lazy, but a lot of people aren't AICN fanatics and just want to unwind for 2 hours of entertainment. Subtitles take you out of a film and can distract you from the visuals of the story, so a foreign remake isn't that awful an idea. I love the original IA, but I know that many friends/family wouldn't give it the time of day. If Scorsese made a quality, faithful adaptation, then kudos to him.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:39:08 AM CDT

    A strap-on in a film is no good

    by doctor_sin

    unless you see it being used. I want to see Nicholson assfucked until he learns to quit Playing Jack Nicholson Acting As Someone Doing A Jack Nicholson Impersonation.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:41:48 AM CDT

    I guess those media reports were right...

    by bigtuna

    During the making of the film, it was reported Jack re-wrote the sex scenes to make them much kinkier.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:47:13 AM CDT

    Nicholson's infamous request during shooting

    by dannychico

    He wanted to snort cocaine off of a hooker's ass.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:47:39 AM CDT

    Marty The Softy

    by prague23

    Scorsese has just gone soft. It's that simple. "Gangs," "Avaitor" and what was his last great film? Depends. He started parting the waters of controversey with "Last Temptation" and all it got him was like a 10 mil box office return. He took a nod with "Kundun," which I love, especially the Philip Glassy stuff on the score, and still dives into documentary and restoration. Which is fine. Right on Marty, "My Voyage To Italy" I saw in the theater at SIFF and it was absolutely amazing. He brought us "Blues" and "Dylan" which were great. "Bringing Out The Dead" was just a Lawrence Kasdan hack job. Check out "Body Heat" for cinematography theft. But he seems to love what he's doing. But who knows with this. Maybe he just wanted to see what all those actors together could do. Gotta look at stuff from all angles of opportunity. I'll always give him a chance. Just wish the Oscars finally would.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:48:34 AM CDT

    Just to clear thing up

    by the negotiator

    I'm sorry if I wasn't clear enough but Mr. Nicholson doesn't get fucked by a strap on. The scene involves him telling a woman wearing a strap on to eat his mistress's pussy which is covered in coke. In another scene In another scene Mr. Nicholson does hold a dildo which was for comedic effect but I thought it was really lame. That scene also takes place in a porn theater.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:49:54 AM CDT

    Jack NIcholson over the top?

    by obsd

    Heaven forfend! Who would have thunk it? He's always one of the most subdued actors in Hollywood, right next to Al Pacino.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:51:38 AM CDT

    Dude

    by the negotiator

    Dude this time Jack is really over the top. So over the top that in one scene that is supposed to be serious, he kills a fly and eats it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:54:06 AM CDT

    Nice review...not

    by tripp5

    i love a nice detailed analysis of why a film works or why it doesn't, as opposed to a "review" which is just a lame comparison to the original film in question...heeyy, wait a second...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:54:15 AM CDT

    It will still be fucking great...

    by danielkurland

    Scorsese's remake of "Cape Fear" is still a fantastic movie, yet a remake. I was watching "Who's That Knocking at My Door?" again yesterday and just remembering how fucking GOOD Scorsese is. And yes, that cocaine off a hooker's ass thing, and probably any other stuff you heard about Nicholson during this movie is true. Scorsese always wanted to work with him, and he was so disappointed to see how difficult he was. Nicholson even insisted he write his own scenes and such...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:54:43 AM CDT

    cocaine off of a hooker's ass.

    by jasper stillwell

    ...that sounds like an average Wednesday evening in for Nicholson? Anyway, About Schmidt - Surely though one of the most understated and least 'Jack' performances he's given in years? For me its Five Easy Pieces, King of Marvin Gardens, Chinatown and Last Detail though "I AM THE FUCKIN' SHORE PATROL!"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:57:07 AM CDT

    Plus...

    by tripp5

    no matter what anyone else ever says about anything, i will see any scorsese movie opening day...even if its a remake of titanic...ok, thats a lil far actually...i'd wait for the second weekend of release to see that one...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 10:57:18 AM CDT

    FUCKS SAKE!

    by c legion

    Why does nearly every early review on this site feature spoilers? What's the point? All it can do is ruin the film for people, nothing positive can come from it. Just review the fucking film, you don't need to tell us everything. I've had to avoid reading this review and the talkback.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 11:02:04 AM CDT

    I thought this was a review?!?!?!

    by movieman742

    Not a blog about 3 major plot points and thats it. This didnt even compare to IA, all it did was tell us 3 major things and that was it. I started reading it knowing there was spoilers but I WANTED THE STORY WITH THE FUCKING SPOILERS!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 11:20:00 AM CDT

    story

    by the negotiator

    story is just your typical mobster shit. Go watch Infernal Affairs.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 11:29:49 AM CDT

    That cast alone has my $10 in October. I.A. was dope..

    by r.c. the "wise"

    A good Scorcese film trumps most films period. It's too bad it isn't great. Perhaps it will be after some editing.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 11:30:14 AM CDT

    Prague23: agreed the guy turned bitch!

    by brycemonkey

    He's lost it in a major way, even with all the talent he can bring in, his movies are in serious decline.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 11:31:13 AM CDT

    p.s. (I don't care if it's too easy) Maaaaaaatt Damon!

    by r.c. the "wise"

  • Jun 07, 2006 11:31:36 AM CDT

    Wow, I didn't think

    by harry weinstein

    ...that Scorsese would make as much of a botch of this as has apparently happened. The damn thing practically sounds like a hypothetical Wong Jing INFERNAL AFFAIRS parody. Playing the gang boss character for laughs? Fuck that shit - the brilliance of casting comic actor Eric Tsang in the part in the original was that it's not a ha-ha-funny part at all, and Tsang played off years of Hong Kong audiences seeing him typecast in goofy comedic roles. When he explodes in straight-faced, sadistic violence for the first time in the original, it's shocking and extra harsh; you know immediately, if you had any doubts, that this movie's not fucking around. The casting also ties nicely into the film's themes about people not being what they seem to be. Think about the impact of when Henry Fonda turns up for the first time in ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST. Nicholson doesn't work on the same level - who's surprised when ol' Jack has a violent outburst? I'm surprised when he doesn't. Oh well, I've got the original trilogy, so I won't cry too much over this - but it sounds like such a waste of source material. If this movie gets the Weinstein Company to finally release parts II and III of the original, I guess that's a good thing. Especially part II.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 11:33:23 AM CDT

    I know this is going to make me sound like an ass...

    by childe roland

    ...and I certainly don't mean to pick on you specifically, Negotiator, but I have a really hard time taking a movie recommendation seriously from someone who uses the words "most favorite." It's just a thing I have where I want to take the word of smart people when it comes to movies, and something like that doesn't make you seem very smart (although you may well be and might have just missed it while proofreading in your rush to get this done). I also sense that you have a problem with remakes in general judging by the number of times you recommend skipping this in favor of the Asian release. That's fine, but a lot of what you described here sounds like it has potential you might have overlooked due to your bias. Anyway, thanks for the report.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 11:35:13 AM CDT

    Your average moviegoer has no idea...

    by vinceklortho

    what Internal Affairs is. So, I do believe that this may be another remake conundrum. Meaning that people will probably call this movie the best thing alive and then the film geeks will call blasphemy because it's just a retread of the original Chinese movie that could of just gone without an Americanized version. Cause isn't that what us film geeks stand for? Leave the original foreign shit alone and make something new? For just the sake of integrity? But, therein lies a problem for film nerds too. This is made by a film geek hero, Scorcese. And, it has a fucking amazing cast..Nicholson, Damon, DiCaprio(admit it..as much as you want to film snob-bash Leo and Damon..they are pretty good actors and valuable choices for any movie). Bottom line..through all my rambling, I'll be there opening weekend cause it's Marty and I love Jack. But, I'm really apprehensive cause of the remake value and Internal Affairs happened not that long ago...it's still shown on cinemax or starz a lot. Plus, it's a good movie, too!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 11:36:09 AM CDT

    Jack +Coke + Hot Hookers = Good Times!

    by r.c. the "wise"

    Or in Nickelson's case...Tuesday afternoons (before the Lakers game).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 11:38:42 AM CDT

    General stuff.

    by the negotiator

    Music consisted of Rolling Stones stuff, fit the scenes pretty well. Running time for the movie was around 2 and a half hours. And Childe Roland I have no problems with your comments. Yeah My review was a bit rushed as I'm at work right now. Anyway I don't have any problems with remakes in general its just that this is a really typical movie in my view. The Asian version is just something different for American viewers instead of another movie with Irish thugs against the cops. Thanks for your comments.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:00:27 PM CDT

    Complaints about remakes...

    by jackrabbitslim

    Random thoughts. Remaking Titanic - 1956's "Night to Remember" Inferior film - but some of the scenes seem ... rather similar. As for Nicholson's overacting - I'm sorry but wasnt the fat bastard in Infernal Affairs also? His veritable screaming during his eating while being interrogated bit wasnt two slabs of ham stacked high? As for geeks "wanting to leave originals alone", Sergio Leone has had his spaghettied ass kissed endlessly in these forums for his Kurosawa remake. Does knowing the classic baseball bat scene in DePalma's "Untouchables" borrows heavily from 1958's "Party Girl" make the 1987 film any less great? I don't think so. "The only new things are the history you don't know" ... or sumpin

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:16:32 PM CDT

    re: Remakes...

    by vinceklortho

    good points JackRabbitSlim. This is the time you have to discern if it is an homage, reimagining, or a remake. Certainly most of the great filmmakers throw homage to movies that influenced their styles and they may just use the exact same scenes in their own movies. But is this a remake(different actors, couple a different scenes, same story) or a similar storyline(but changing numerous things from the original)that just simply alludes to Internal Affairs with scenes that are homages to earlier other movies that influenced Scorcese. Or, what I'm trying to say is, is it better for filmmaker to be influenced by another filmmaker's from a variety of different movies as opposed to simply redoing one movie with actors changed. What if Scorcese wasn't the one directing this? Would that be okay for us that complain of remakes?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:26:43 PM CDT

    Remakes are like cover versions

    by jasper stillwell

    they're rarely only ever good if they're taking on a completely different slant on the original idea or if that idea was never really explored/exhausted properly in the 1st place. Remaking (recent) non-Western films always smacks of Hollywood hegemony and Imperialism but I'm guessing Scorsese has a few ideas that he felt needed bringin to the table in this case? I sure hope so. This current batch of rehashes seem to be just obsessed with instant demographics and adding little to the original other than bigger production values or more CGI. When is Scorsese gonna do Diabolik or something. I'd pay to see THAT. Not with Fat Leo squeezed into a leather 'tard tho....

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:36:36 PM CDT

    I've got to say...

    by childe roland

    ...this sounds almost like what Tarantino did with City on Fire to get Reservoir Dogs and, having seen the source material, I actually prefer Tarantino's version of the story. I'd hate to think of what might've happened if QT had been pressured by fans to do something original at that time. I'd be missing one of my all time favorite films from my DVD library. I think a Scorcese gangster flick deserves its day in court, regardless of what inspired it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:37:38 PM CDT

    Stop the madness!

    by cuervojones

    This site will be called Ain

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:41:02 PM CDT

    But it's Scorcese

    by the funketeer

    And even when he's not at his best, he's better than anyone else out there. Sure I was dissapointed with Gangs but it's been heavily suggested that the W Bros had a hand in all it's suckage. I also can't trust a review who brings up Boston accents as a criticism of the movie. Seems to me like most of the "reviewers" on this site not named Moriarty try too hard to please all the talkbackers and end up giving everything average reviews. Too many middle of the road opinions and not enough people willing to take a stand and risk expressing a minority opinion.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:47:59 PM CDT

    Boston accents

    by the negotiator

    My statement about the accents wasn't meant to be a major crticism. Its just that at times it feels a bit forced by the various actors, whether its Damon, Leo or Vera Farmiga. The accent thing isn't a major problem with the movie its just a minor personal view that others may feel the same about when the film is released.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:48:46 PM CDT

    That new ending sounds stupid....

    by mickey the idiot

    The flip was what made the original work. Still at least it'll be a remake without a sequel..... OH SHIT. The original went prequel, didn't it? Oh buggeration.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:51:44 PM CDT

    No Prequels

    by the negotiator

    You won't have to worry about any prequels because the story in the movie doesn't span over a couple of years. Based on certain dialogue in the film Leo was only undercover for about a year instead of nearly 10 years like Leung in Infernal Affairs.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:51:45 PM CDT

    adding a love triangle betwixt the 3 is just too much

    by s0nicdeathmonkey

    that is overkill.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:53:48 PM CDT

    Love Triangle

    by the negotiator

    The love triangle does seem a bit forced. SPOILER WARNING Also the psychologist gets pregnant so you don't necessarily know if its Leo's kid cause he fucked her or if its Damons kid.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:54:55 PM CDT

    The Negotiator

    by mickey the idiot

    Undercover for a year? Hmmm, sounds like another dumb change to me. Again, the original made so much out of how long these guys had been inhabiting their 'roles' before the real conflict came.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:55:34 PM CDT

    Oh, and Negotiator

    by mickey the idiot

    Should have added thanks for the info.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:56:35 PM CDT

    "Fat Leo"

    by pandora7

    Hey you congenital asshole - "Fat Leo" is as thin as a fucking rail and he's a terrific actor as well. Shut the hell up and quit whining about Leo.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:57:19 PM CDT

    Time line

    by the negotiator

    At the most I would say the story spanned maybe two years with both characters being undercover. There was only one occasion where they directly said an amount of time.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:57:57 PM CDT

    isn't Scorsese still in talks to remake DRUNKEN ANGEL?

    by beamish13

    Crimmity. Remaking films clearly signals the decline of any director.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 12:59:54 PM CDT

    re; a typical Wednesday in for Nicholson

    by beamish13

    don't forget the copophilia and beating the hooker so badly she gets brain damage

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 1:00:08 PM CDT

    As a side note

    by the negotiator

    Supposedly Scorsese was sitting in the back during the screening but I never saw him. I wondered what he was thinking during some of the audience reactions, particularly the ending.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 1:07:23 PM CDT

    no subject

    by amadeus zero

    Remakes are just fine for 80% or more of the people out there who will never, _ever_ watch a subtitled film. Those type of people often think shitty movies are pretty good, so there you go. They don't _have_ to make them very well. Film lovers aren't the audience for these remakes, and the filmmakers aren't even pretending that you are. So why get offended?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 1:42:24 PM CDT

    Plant!

    by nairb the movie

    This review is so a plant by Oliver Stone...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 1:43:01 PM CDT

    I call "bullshit"

    by drexl

    Another "review" from a guy who went to an early screening. I'm not saying he didn't see this but his review is just a bunch o' spoilers rolled up into a not at all completely negative semi-rant. Here's the deal with test-screenings: they usually do more harm than good (cutting out Gabriel Yared's score for Troy, cutting up Kingdom of Heaven). Directors shouldn't be led by some picked off the streets kids that go see something for free that they wouldn't care for in the first place (I'm not saying this about you Negotiator but a lot of times those test screenings seem to be filled with people like that). As for Jack goin' a bit crazy: Remind me when that is a bad thing. Hell, if he goes bananas in this, snortin' coke off a hooker's snatch, that's another reason to go see this!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 1:48:02 PM CDT

    Its cool

    by the negotiator

    Drexl your comments are cool with me. I'm sorry my review couldn't be more elaborate its just that I wanted to compare the key things between this film and I.A. And as a side note I personally got my invite for the movie as I was walking out my my local cinema.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 1:51:01 PM CDT

    Cornball

    by pandora7

    Infernal Affairs was actually somewhat CORNBALL and amateurish in my opinion. You certainly couldn't describe it as an example of sophisticated filmmaking. One example among many - the heavy-handed, corny funeral scene with flashbacks. I mean come on. If a foreign film is really great then of course the original should be watched and you live with the subtitles. This one simply wasn't. It was OK, but I don't get the love for it other than what seems to be an irrational or trendy love for Asian cinema - a lot of which is in fact cornball by even marginally discerning standards. The Departed can't help being better than that even if it isn't what some like to refer to as vintage Scorsese.

    I hope the over-the-top shit with Jack hits the cutting room floor though because I'm sick of wildly over-the-top caricature villains - it's almost trite at this point. Anyone can do it and anyone has. All too often, over-the-top villains are gratuitous, silly, and unrealistic. That's the only thing that concerns me here - other than the attempt at black humor where a rat inexplicably materializes at the end to nibble at the Mattie's groceries. That just screams out "contrived".

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 2:05:52 PM CDT

    Maaaaaatt Damon

    by giz

    ...your right, fuck it. Easy is, easy does. Easy like the hoes in Jack's trailer from the making of this film...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 2:17:59 PM CDT

    perhaps mediocrity was due to William Monahan

    by zooch

    the screenwriter of the also mediocre Kingdom of Heaven. I'm glad Jack tried to make things more interesting.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 2:44:33 PM CDT

    Hilarious!

    by junior frenger

    "If the film gets some editing, which it really needs in the first half hour, and ditches some of the black comedy moments, it could be a decent remake of a really good Chinese movie." LOL!!! I love it when these "reviewers" get on here an attempt to talk about movie structure and pacing as if they have any knowledge on the subject. Because it's sooooooo obvious by their track record that Martin Scorsese and Thelma Schoonmaker know nothing about how to pace and edit a film. There's only one tool in this review and it sure the hell isn't Matt Damon. Why do you guys at AICN even post this crap?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 2:47:52 PM CDT

    so how many times did nicholson shut down

    by emeraldboy

    the production for this film?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 2:54:29 PM CDT

    the rot set in

    by emeraldboy

    when he stopped working with Roberr deniro back in the 90's. I must say for the record that I hated Million dollar baby and i loved the aviator.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 3:29:58 PM CDT

    Um, Junior...

    by garbageman33

    I can't play basketball as well as Dirk Nowitzki. Does that mean I can't boo when he misses a jump shot?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 3:32:59 PM CDT

    Uh, Scorsese remade CAPE FEAR

    by axebox

    And that movie was amazing. Can't believe noone thought that one.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 4:17:59 PM CDT

    Guys, READ THIS about Christopher Doyle's

    by curryice

    comment on the Scorsese remake of IA. To put it mildly: He is PISSED.

    http://anonym.to/?http://tinyurl.com/fnhta

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 5:34:20 PM CDT

    WORST...REVIEW...EVER

    by strshp2rpr

    Seriously, this was a TERRIBLE review. I think becaue of this, I will go out of my way to see this movie twice on opening day, just to spite this idiot and AICN. Was this shit written by a 9th grader? The grammar was terrible. The same comments/critiques are applied to everyone over and over (i.e. "added depth to characters"..."true to the core of the orginal film.") Hey kid, get a fucking thesaurus (and stop trying to use pretentious hack film critic terminology...you sound like a douche rocket). The review didn't really cover any specifics about the movie and why he felt the way he did...it just compared differences between the two versions. Give me a real review by someone who can write at at least a high school level and who gives some actual insight into this version of the film. Note to AICN: stop sucking.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 5:37:00 PM CDT

    pandora7

    by jasper stillwell

    ....Hi Leo, nice of you to drop by...or is it his agent??

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 5:39:37 PM CDT

    Christopher Doyle

    by junior frenger

    Is making a lot of assumptions as to what Scorsese's motivations are in regards to the remake. He sounds like an immature child. I hope those aren't his actual words (notice they were in reference to "outtakes" from an interview, because I think he's a world class cinematographer. It's not like Infernal Affairs is above a remake. Before Mr. Doyle starts making accusations about making a grab for cash he should look no further than the original film. Which has 2 sequels that are really unnecessary.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 6:29:45 PM CDT

    I'll still see it

    by chief redcock

  • Jun 07, 2006 6:30:14 PM CDT

    And it'll probably be great

    by chief redcock

  • Jun 07, 2006 7:59:09 PM CDT

    Um, Garbageman33

    by junior frenger

    Different context, different setting, different atmosphere.Lame analogy...try again. Movies aren't a spectator sport. They are a technical craft. Thay are deliberately constructed.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 07, 2006 11:51:42 PM CDT

    To the Negotiator

    by fan_of_my_man

    Please tell me how well did Matt perform? This is his big opportunity. Will his work be appreciated? Thanks a lot for your review.

    [My English is poor, so........]

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 08, 2006 9:42:52 AM CDT

    The cast.......

    by supermonkey

    looks pretty damn good to me. I haven't seen the original so I have no bias one way or the other towards Marty's "Remake". He's a great director and he has some solid horses behind him. I plan on enjoying the hell outta this one.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 08, 2006 10:13:27 AM CDT

    Movies aren't a spectator sport?

    by garbageman33

    Really? So we're not supposed to be watching them, we're supposed to be making them? Thanks for clearing that up. I better go pick up a camera and some lights.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 08, 2006 12:36:39 PM CDT

    Marty needs to part ways with Leo...

    by dasher

    My friend is one of the biggest Scorsese fans around, and he thinks Marty has been in a big-time slump ever since he hooked up with DiCaprio. His recent work has been too much like mainstream Hollywood movies with big budgets and A-list stars. My friend thinks Marty needs to go back to his indie roots. Based on this review, I'd have to agree.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 08, 2006 8:05:15 PM CDT

    Genius

    by pandora7

    You must be an absolute genius to have determined that Marty needs to part ways with Leo from a single review that reflects precisely one viewpoint and which is by no means analytical or even remotely enlightening as to how/why the writer arrived at his conclusions. Leo in particular is to blame for Marty's alleged "slump", and not any of the other A-listers in the film. What an amazingly clever deduction ... errrrrrm ... "Dasher"? Who is this big Scorsese fan friend of yours? Dancer? Prancer? Vixen? Rudolph perhaps?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 08, 2006 9:25:51 PM CDT

    You think Doyle was pissed there...

    by leflambeur

    did you read his comments in Filmmaker Magazine?

    Full Interiew:
    http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/fall2005/features/wild_man.php

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 08, 2006 11:46:42 PM CDT

    Negotiator

    by arnzilla

    "Supposedly Scorsese was sitting in the back during the screening but I never saw him. I wondered what he was thinking during some of the audience reactions, particularly the ending."
    I think that Scorsese probably welcomed the response to the ending. Isn't that the point of the test screening? The worst response would be no response. He can't do much with that. He had a second unit crew shoot that scene several different ways and has said in an interview that he wants to see which version worked best. Now he's a little closer to finding out.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 09, 2006 3:26:42 AM CDT

    The Negotiator

    by luv79

    Hi,
    Thanx for the review. It seens that you neither liked Matt's performance nor the way his character was presented on screen.
    Was his acting that bad? Please answer.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 29, 2006 5:08:56 PM CDT

    Define your terms!!

    by toastie

    What constitutes a remake? If the director hasn't ever seen the original how can his be considered a remake? Every story has been told before, and will keep on being told again and again. It's the artisanship of the teller that makes it worth hearing, right?

    Reply to Talkback

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