Carlito's Way 4K Ultra HD

A longtime fan of Al Pacino, I saw "Carlito's Way" when it first came out, in 1993. Even back then, it was apparent to me that I was watching something very special. Since then, I've literally seen the movie hundreds of times, and it remains one of my all-time favorite films. The plot summary has been covered many times here, so I'll just stick to my comments. I think "Carlito's Way" is Brian DePalma's finest hour as a filmmaker. I could never understand the lukewarm critical response it received, though, ironically, time has been very kind to it. A lot of critics dismissed it as a second-rate follow-up to "Scarface"--which, interestingly, was also panned upon its release--but it possesses a depth and resonance that "Scarface" (or any of DePalma's other films, for that matter) just can't match. Having grown up in Queens, New York, in the 1970s--and having run with a pretty tough crowd--I was stunned at how well DePalma captured the sights and sounds of the time. It was like being transported back 20 years. But, perhaps because the film was made two decades after it's supposed to take place, "Carlito's Way" hasn't aged at all. Like many great films, it has a timeless feel to it, because it avoids many of the filmmaking clichés of the period in which it was made. DePalma was already working from a very good foundation--Edwin Torres' two books on Carlito Brigante, "Carlito's Way" and "After Hours," are exceptionally well written--but he could've easily dropped the ball. Thankfully, he didn't. Though he and Pacino were both initially opposed to rehashing the success of "Scarface," they eventually decided to work together again. The combination was pure magic. Like many great actors, Pacino sometimes needs to be challenged, and DePalma challenged him. And he responded with one of the best performances of his legendary career. He brings an elegiac air to the character of reformed drug kingpin Carlito Brigante, which brings out a level of depth and emotional weight that the character of Tony Montana just didn't have. In fact, Carlito makes Tony seem woefully cartoonish and two-dimensional by comparison. As the film progresses, the psychic weight of Carlito's worsening dilemma is channeled perfectly by Pacino's every move and word. Despite Carlito's sordid past, you sympathize with him and his increasingly futile attempt to escape that past. The rapidly shrinking box that is Carlito's way out is communicated stunningly, by Pacino's acting, the excellent dialogue and cinematography, and, crucially, the music, which builds to a crescendo during the subway chase scene--one of the best chase scenes ever committed to film, in my opinion. A movie is nothing without fine acting, and DePalma did a wonderful job of casting "Carlito's Way." The cast is, to a person, first-rate: John Leguizamo as up-and-coming gangster Benny Blanco; Penelope Ann Miller as Carlito's love interest, Gail; Luis Guzman as the traitorous Pachanga; and the ringer, Sean Penn, as Carlito's sleazy, out-of-control lawyer, David Kleinfeld. Penn has had a lot of great roles in his career, but his turn as Kleinfeld is definitely one of his most memorable: over-the-top, but never less than eminently believable . . . and chillingly frightening. As I said earlier, the years have been very kind to "Carlito's Way." It has aged better than any of DePalma's other films, and still looks and sounds as vital today as it did upon its release. That's a tough trick to pull off, but it's a testament to DePalma's filmmaking prowess and the actors' collective skill that, never once, do you catch yourself thinking about the age of the film. It's, quite simply, timeless--and, in this viewer's opinion, one of the best gangster films ever made. Whether history will judge it as such is debatable, but I believe that time will continue to enhance its reputation. It's a stunning cinematic achievement that will gain more and more supporters as the years go buy. I have absolutely no doubt about that.

DePalma and Pacino team up again and provide us with a tremendous movie experience. This movie has two of the finest acting performances you'll ever see. Al Pacino and Sean Penn are mesmerizing in their roles of reformed con and his sleazebag lawyer. Penn is almost physically unrecognizable and completely disappears into this character. Pacino is a commanding presence but somewhat understated in his acting, which for 1990's Pacino, is a good thing. I absolutely love Pacino, but in many of his 90's and 00's films he simply yells his way through them (i.e Scent of a Woman, Devils Advoate, etc) but that is pleasantly not the case here. All of the supporting cast are good as well. Leguizamo and Penelope Ann Miller are solid. If you pay attention, you will notice a pre-LOTR fame Viggo Mortensen in a small role. Brian de Palma does a terrific job of capturing the emotional weight of movie and giving us plenty of well defined characters. In my opinion, this is one of his best works and is a seriously underrated film. No, it's not Scarface, but that is a good thing.

A true Hollywood epic. The cast of this movie is a virtual who's who of great character actors from the last twenty years, including Sean Penn, John Leguizamo, Penelope Ann Miller, Luis Guzman, James Rebhorn and Al Pacino. This movie catches Pacino in the perfect balance between his very understated Godfather performances and his most off-the-wall Scent of a Woman and Scarface roles. The pairing of Pacino and Miller ignited the most tormented and passionate screen romance either star ever displayed before or after this movie. Each playing a compelling character in an irresistibly fascinating story. Love, Sex, Violence and Tragedy. It's all here in a story of almost Shakespearean breadth, depth and complexity. The many extra features enable fans of this movie learn more trivia and enjoy it more than ever before. A must have for fans of any of the stars of this movie

One of Al Pacino's greatest characters. You follow him through the New York underbelly with Sean Penn at his side

Great flic

I saw this film when it first came out, and I didn't think it was anything special. I've lived quite a long time since then, and now I understand how a life goes. Well put together, well-acted, great score, multi-faceted characters, good script, good camera work. I think a viewer has to have a fair amount of life experience, to really appreciate this film

Loved it was filled with every Hollywood tough guy actor of the era. Sean Penn was unrecognizable as Carlitos lawyer. Sean Penn plays an ugly degenerate Jewish fish out of water lawyer trying to play a gangster and of course bring everyone down with him. Definitely shed a tear for Carlito. Al Pacino turns in a stellar performance. Miss Miller as the girl friend doomed by love. Benny Blanco I played by John Leguizamo is a vicious thug.

Al Pacino ist wohl zusammen mit Robert De Niro der Schauspieler der das Gerne des Mafiakinos der letzten 30 Jahr nicht nur dominiert sondern auch etabliert hat. Carlito Brigante wird 1975 aufgrund eines Formfehlers der Gegenseite von seinem Freund und Anwalt David Kleinfeld bereits nach 5 Jahren anstatt 30 Jahren aus dem Knast rausgeholt. Dennoch will er nicht mehr in sein altes Leben als Gangster zurück sondern nur möglichst schnell 75.000$ zusammenkratzen um sich mit seiner Freundin Gail ein neues Leben auf den Bahamas aufzubauen wo er fortan als Mitinhaber eines Autoverleih Service sein Geld ehrlich verdienen will. Doch allerlei Dinge wie seine unfreiwillige Beteiligung in einen Mafiamord,der Verrat eines Freundes sowie Ärger mit dem Möchtegern Gangster Benny Blanco aus der Bronx sorgen dafür das der Traum von den Bahamas für Carlito in weite Ferne rückt und als er das Geld endlich zusammen hat und für immer endlich verschwinden will könnte es für ihn bereits zu spät sein. Den es hängen ihm bereits mehrere Verfolger an seinen Fersen die alle nur seinen Tod für etwas wollen was er gar nicht wollte. Neben der Pate Triologie, Scarface, und Es war einmal in Amerika die alle samt ebenfalls nicht ohne Pacino oder De Niro auskammen ist Carlito's Way einer der besten Filme zu dem Thema überhaupt was auch an den hervorragend unvergesslichen Nebendarstellern Sean Penn als Anwalt David Kleinfeld (der wohl ganz klar das Vorbild für den Anwalt Ken Rosenberg aus den GTA Teilen Vice City und San Andreas war),sowie dem genialen John Leguizamo als der wohl schmierigste Gangster der je auf der Leinwand zu sehen war Benny Blanco aus der Bronx. ***Achtung leichter Spoiler zum Ende des Filmes. Lesen auf eigene Gefahr.*** Der Schlussakt bestehend aus Verfolgungsjagd, Schießerei, Verrat und Finalshot in der New Yorker U Bahn dessen Ende bereits im Vorspann am Anfang gezeigt wird ist in seiner Intensität ebenfalls einzigartig und bringt einen Sieger hervor den man als Zuschauer eigentlich nicht mehr erwartet hat und man im Laufe der Handlung des Finales schon fast vergessen hatte. Gerade das macht das Ende des Filmes doch so gut. ***Achtung schwerer Spoiler zum Ende des Filmes. Lesen immer noch auf eigene Gefahr.*** Gerade als Carlito sich sicher fühlt kommt das Ende für ihn aus einer Richtung die er nicht mehr erwartet hat aber einen als Zuschauer deswegen umso härter trifft da er es vermeiden können wenn er nur seinem eigen Instinkt bei der Einschätzung einer früheren Situation mehr vertraut und demendsprechend gehandelt hätte. Nämlich das die Dinge die man auser Acht lässt,vergisst nicht mit einplant oder ignoriert genau die sind die sich am Ende für einen rächen und zwar dann wenn man es nicht mehr erwartet. Absolut empfehlenswerter Film für Pacino, Scarface, Gangster, Krimi, Film Noir und 70er Jahre Fans.

Great film. Excellent story. Great acting. Highly recommended. Thanks. 5*

Steelbook inglés con castellano de Carlitos way ( o el precio del poder en España)!! Diseño chulisimo para esta obra maestra de brain de palma con al pacino que se sale!

Got this movie at a very fair price with a quick delivery

Foi presente, a pedido do aniversariante. Como ele já conhecia, gostou.