Rating: 
Summary: This masterpiece will leave you haunted by it's tragedy.
Review: I firmly believe that there are works of art that are simply a masterpiece in itself irregardless of whether or not popular culture recognizes it to be so. "Once Upon A Time in America" is the four hour culmination of a visionary director's career; it is a stellar work of grandiose filmaking and, more importantly, passionate storytelling that is lost in current filmaking. The compliments are often bestowed upon its cinematography and while the color and feel of the movie is perfect and gorgeous, the many complaints about its length and confusing plotline is ungrounded. The movie is quite worth the 227 minutes playtime and makes sense well enough when isn't cut into a shorter version. Leone's masterpiece is often compared to the Godfather series and often comes up the less favorable brother of the two. Personally, while I see why the Godfather is an infinitely more appealing film to the mass public, I dont agree that those movies were in any way better. "America" does not glorify it's characters and that is where the tragedy and beauty lies in this film. Leone creates an artistically beautiful film to watch, but his actors beautifully, and tragically [sometimes violently], humanize their respective characters. This is a story not about a hero to root and love, but a story about an innately good Jewish boy who found himself torn between two paths in life and finding himself consistently making the wrong, violent choices that force him into a criminal life full of regret. Robert de Niro and his younger counterpart Scott Tiler do an amazing job capturing the angry innocence of this young man that grows old to be a troubled man. They deliver stoic performances depicting "Noodles" [the main character] that leaves one pitying the older De Niro and aching for the younger Scott Tiler that went from being just a dreaming street punk to a haunted criminal. Also wonderful performances by Jennifer Connelly as his younger love interest and James Woods as de Niro's doppleganger. This is a movie that leaves an haunting impression behind. There is a palpable regret and tragedy following the protagonist throughout an entire lifetime. This is a story about the choices we all make as humans and how a single moment in error can change the entire course of one's life and in some ways, even rob you of it. This is a movie worth renting once, at least. The dvd has not been released in the US yet, but a dvd version has been released from a Brazilian company, for those who are interested, and can be attained with effort. Amazing movie that will leave you remembering it, if not loving it for its tragedy.
Rating:
Summary: A magnificant opium dream of a gangster epic
Review: Okay, a four hour gangster movie is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, especially when the pacing is absolutely glacial and DeNiro and Woods aren't on-screen for about half that time because of a childhood flashback that's longer than some full movies. But, if you take this movie on the terms director Sergio Leone sets, it's a richly rewarding cinemeatic experience. I've heard the film described as "an opium dream of a gangster movie" and the pacing seems to justify such a response. But it's slow and richly detailed, and a little odd at times, for very good reasons that pay off in spades by the film's emotionally titanic (though slightly anti-climactic} finale. Despite what can seem like turgidness on first viewing, this film is likely to stick to your ribs and merit repeat screenings. DeNiro smolders throughout, while James Woods delivers a teriffic scenery-chewing performance. The story is friendship (and betrayal, of course)--or is it Romulus and Remus? Greek tragedy, perhaps? Godfather parts 1 and 2 rolled into one film? Yes, and more. And viewers familliar with Leone only through his spagetti westerns are in for a surprise: Leone is a world-class film-maker here, capable of stunning beauty and cruelty, often within the same frame. Does it really need to be this slow? Does the flashback to childhood need to be almost and hour and a half long (don't worry--it's absorbing enough in its own right to keep you from noticing)? Does the the chronology need to be so screwy? Does that darn phone need to ring so long? Absolutely.
Fans of Woods, DeNiro, Leone, or gangster movies in general canot afford to pass this film up. The supporting cast, especially the young actors playing the gang members in thier childhood, is also consistently stellar. Best viewed on a cold wintry afternoon when you've got plenty of time. Opium not provided.
Rating:
Summary: Too Grand For Words
Review: No review can do this grandiose film justice, but i'll write one anyway. It is a sprawling, beautiful epic that (i cant beleive i'm saying this) really does deserve the title of best the gangster film, maybe the Godfather Trilogy can beat it, but not just one of those films alone. The first viewing the film will seem very long, but on second viewing (or more) the beauty of the movie really comes through, the end with DeNiro & Woods & the score made me get very emotional. If you enjoy gangster films, this is definitley for you, for a Robert DeNiro fan, this is a must. One of the greatest films ever made, 'rarely equalled'
also recommend:
THE DEER HUNTER
GODFATHER TRILOGY
SCARFACE
Rating: 
Summary: Restored director's edition allows America to shine
Review: When Once Upon a Time in America was first released in the US, it was butchered. Director Sergio Leone's leisurely director's cut was set aside for a brisk, succinct edition that would allow theaters to get more patrons into seats for more shows. Luckily, the DVD revolution has allowed for more complete director's editions to become available thus restoring the director's vision of the finished product. Leone's America is every bit as powerful (although not quite as well written as)Coppola's Godfather 1 & 2. DeNiro's performance as Noodles the Jewish gangster at the heart of the film. The explosion performances and violent confrontations make America an often compelling film. Although the director's version is a bit too slowly paced (even when compared to Coppola's Godfather 1 & 2 and Leone's famous Westerns), it would be difficult to determine what, exactly, to cut. Leone's films benefited from a combination of European art house length mixed with the American action genre. For most folks the 139 minute version of this under rated minor classic may be enough but it's tough to argue with Leone's complete--if flawed--vision of the film. The commentary by film historian/critic Richard Schickel and the brief documentary on the making of the film provide added background on this important minor classic. Although there are certainly better Leone films that have yet to receive this deluxe treatment, I'm thankful that OUTIA is available on DVD in widescreen at all (even if the matte looks incorrect to me--but I'm relying on memory here).
This isn't Leone's best film but it did have the epic scope the actors gave the film added depth that was missing from the simplistic script.
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest movies ever made.
Review: 'Once Upon a Time in America', simply put, is the best gangster movie I've ever seen and is one of the greatest movies ever made. The entire film seems like long, beautiful, and scary dream. By the end of the story, I felt like I witnessed the entrie lives of the characters. I felt like I understood their every feeling and emotion, their joys and sadness. Moviemaking is rarely this magical or this tragic.
Rating:
Summary: Certifiable classic finally the way it was intended
Review: Sergio Leone's sprawling gangster epic "Once Upon A Time In America" is an artful film deserving of classic status, sadly overlooked thanks to studio butchery in the 1980s. Thankfully, the wonderful world of DVD now allows us to see this incredible film the way Leone intended us to - all four hours of it. Fans of "The Godfather Part II" will be at home with "Once Upon A Time In America's" quirk of moving back and forth between time periods. While Coppola's epic moved back and forth between two, Leone's manages to juggle three, following the life and times of a group of Jewish gangsters when they are children in the Depression era, when they are thriving gangsters in their 20s, and, focusing almost exclusively on a great performance by Robert DeNiro, as older men. This film is a gangster epic, but don't expect "Goodfellas" levels of slam bang violence. With the exception of an early, bloody scene and a later (very disturbing) rape scene, the violence here tends to be quick, almost over before it begins. "Once Upon A Time In America" is not a film that glorifies violence or that lives for the violent moment. This film broods. That's not to say this film is intended for an all ages audience, or that those who enjoy watching organized crime at work won't enjoy this. Course language, explicit sexual situations, and bloody confrontations all punctuate long stretches of moody storytelling. Leone takes his time letting the story unravel itself. The camera holds shots for a long, long time. Pieces of the puzzle - the details as to how the three time periods relate and the mystery driving DeNiro's later actions are unclear early on - are revealed very deliberately, very slowly, throughout the course of these four hours. If you know the style Leone strutted on "Once Upon A Time In The West," you'll be familiar with the pacing here. Those who relish in the kind of tempo Leone works in, those who enjoy dwelling in a moment, in letting images tell the story, will absolutely love Leone's filmmaking here. All the style he developed over his beloved spaghetti westerns is on display here, tenfold. Those easily bored, who prefer a faster pace to their films or who want their stories to move forward at a pace faster than a walk may find themselves checking the clock two hours in. As far as this reviewer is concerned, Leone crafted a pure work of art. Others may find the film ponderous. This DVD edition splits the film over two discs (in a bizarre editing decision, cutting the film off mid-scene). The picture looks good, though could probably use some remastering, and the sound is nice. While the packaging will look great on your shelf, don't expect much in the way of extras. There is a brief 20-minute excerpt from a pre-existing documentary on Sergio Leone, and a solid commentary track. That's all. A truly deluxe edition of this film would be welcome, but for now, this remains a must purchase. "Once Upon A Time In America" is certainly one of the great gangster films ever made, loaded with style and grace, and should be seen at least once by all who love film.
Rating: 
Summary: A Beautiful Story Told at a Marinating Pace
Review: _Once Upon a Time in America_ seems to suffer from being caught between a rock and a hard place; make the film too short, and the storyline does not have sufficient time to develop, but make the film too long, and the film suffers from drops in pacing. On the one hand, allowing these characters to marinate in the audience's mind for four hours, including extended looks back into the lives of these gangsters as children, allows them to evolve and develop. On the other hand, while I was truly moved at several points in the film, much of it was painfully slow and felt unnecessary. Sergio Leone's filmmaking is superb, but the plot does not seem to warrant or require the length of this edition. I was most affected by two time periods in the film-the children's story and the spectacular ending of the film that I found emotionally electrifying. In my opinion, the film would have been more powerful had it concentrated most of its efforts on these two storylines and tried to eliminate some of the gratuitous fat. That being said, _Once Upon a Time in America_ did manage to affect me and it is certainly worth a look, allowing the beautiful camera work and intriguing storyline to have its effect on you. As already suggested, Sergio Leone allows his camera to tell the story and his characteristic long-shots and subtlety allow the film to evolve rather than jump off the screen. Robert Deniro, in 1984, is at his peak and delivers a commanding and scene stealing performance. James Woods, as well, delivers a powerful performance, definitely holding his own with the likes of Deniro. I'm not sure what to say about the DVD itself other than to say it's a bit bizarre. For some reason, they chose to break the film over two DVDs and they awkwardly cut from one to the other in the middle of the scene. In fact, when I popped the second disc in, I almost thought I had skipped a scene since there is absolutely no lead in. Secondly, I was not impressed by the special features or editing/mastering that took place on this edition. Normally a film that sprawls across two discs will be jam packed with features, deleted scenes, commentaries, etc. Perhaps, at four hours, there were simply no scenes that were deleted from this cut. But seriously, I question the quality of this particular set. If you enjoy gangster films, Robert Deniro at his height of ability, and don't mind living inside the mind of Leone's beautiful filmmaking and these wonderful characters for four hours, you should watch this film. This emotional story about two friends torn apart by the path of their lives is very moving and worth the rent.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Film,VERY Dissapointing DVD!!!!
Review: Sergio Leone's final masterpiece ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA is by far a unique and amazing piece of filmmaking by one of the cinema's greatest Italian directors since Fellini and De Sica.The story involves a ruthless gangster David 'Noodles' Aronson (played brilliantly by Robert DeNiro) who ends up fleeding away from his friends in the 1940's and returns back to them in the late '60's through many years of hardships as young kids growing up on the wrong side of the tracks to being successful in crime during the prohibition era of the '30's.Prior to its original U.S. release in 1984,this film recieved many great reviews and audience praise when it was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and The New York Film Festival.The film's distributor,Warner Bros/The Ladd Company,uncerimoniously cut out 90 minutes out of the original running time fearing that the movie would run too long and that they wouldn't get as many showings in a single day.The edited version totally changes the complete story continuity of the original film and therefore isn't even as good to watch ,even if you have already seen the longer version.In fact,this edited version of the movie has already been shown once on cable network television on the TNN network (now called SPIKE TV) in April,2003 and believe me,it isn't even worth watching! Warner's 2-disc Special Edition of the film is perhaps,in my opinion,one of the worst special edition DVD's I have ever purchased so far!!! Although the film is presented in its original 229-minute uncut version and in a beautifully preserved 1:85.1 aspect ratio,Disc one innapropriately stops in the middle of the Diamond Robbery scene,even though the disc jacket says it ends directly at the intermission title card!! But on Disc two,the intermission takes place nearly ten chapters into the second disc!! What a real travesty!!! Plus,there are no really great bonus features other than a terrific audio commentary by film critic/historian Richard Schickel,trailer,an excerpt from the hour-long documentary "Once Upon A Time:Sergio Leone" on the making of the film itself,and nothing else!!! However,the movie appears on HBO from time to time and is actually the same version that's on the DVD in which this version includes the Ladd Company credits and no intermission title card!!! I taped that version not too long ago and trust me,it's a lot better than this DVD mess,plus,I got the entire movie on one tape!!! Tape this longer version off of HBO and you won't be dissapointed and enjoy and appreciate this true masterpiece of Sergio Leone in its entirety!! Warner Bros could've done a lot better and nicer job on this DVD,but thankfully learned their lesson with better-selling DVD's after this fiasco!!!
Rating: 
Summary: This was terrible.
Review: I am a huge fan of Robert Deniro and all of his films but this movie just sucked! Despite the fact that there was a real lack of any storyline, it's filled with sadistic and pointless violence. The raping of women and the shot in the eye were just a few things that made me sick to watch this movie. This is nothing like Godfather or Goodfellas, nor could it be compared to it at all. It was slow and boring, trying to make Deniro look like a good guy, when in fact he was a worthless loser. The people he betrayed, raped and sold out were still his friends and still acted like they owed him something. It was 4 hours of boring monotonous drawl and I would rather watch Eddie Murphy's "Party all the time" for 4 hours straight.
Rating:
Summary: Great Criminal Tragedy...
Review: Once Upon a Time in America is an epic crime tale about two teenage friends, Noodles (Robert De Niro) and Max (James Woods), and their companionship which is surrounded by deceit and murder. Max and Noodle meet each other in the early years of 1900, and their friendship takes them through a dynasty of crime. In this dynasty they have committed themselves to each other in a pact where they will share all the profits, which blossom throughout the prohibition. But like all tales, this tale must seek its impeding end as it leads the audience toward an ending similar to that of many Greek classics.
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