Rating: 
Summary: Abel Ferrara's Walken Obsession lives on
Review: This is an O.K. movie. It does have beautiful cinematography, gorgeous sets, and one very flat master gangster played by Christopher Walken. Ferrara has a serious Walken fetish going, and this movie really proves it.The reason for my statement is that this film seems to revolve mostly about the errie qualities you get from Walken's face on 70mm film when the actor is wearing little or no makeup, and is restricted in his movements. This quality, sometimes exploited in Eastwood flicks, Ferrara seems to find miraculous, and repeats over and over again in many films the two are paired in. It's strange, this obsession this director has for this actor; it's as if there is no set large enough or cast grand enough to encirle Walken's face and body - most specifically his hands. I was un-impressed, but it IS a movie worth watching if only to form your own opinion of what's really happening. The rest of the cast give fantastic performances in stark contrast to the lifeless Gangster Frank White. We understand their reasons for chasing Frank White, as their stories are well plotted and sympathetically executed. In the final analysis, Walken, with his bland reptile smiles (if you look closely, one of Walken's eyes is slightly out of focus ala Marty Feldman - I'm an artist who has painted his face a few times, and found this odd until I really looked and realized that this may be Walken's errie secret) could just be a cardboard cut out with "stange bad man" pasted across it while the rest of the cast dances around him, reacting to him. Th other actors in this film is what makes Walken's character convincing on any level at all. Walken, in several interviews, likes to talk about the amount of concentration the character (Frank White) forced out of him, especially in the closing scene (which I won't spoil for you because it really is the best part of the film). I think he and Ferrara are great chums, and love to go about making movies together, regardless of whether they actually mean anything or not. It shows.
Rating: 
Summary: Masterpiece
Review: Simple, a masterpiece. Nothing less. Brilliantly evocative, atmospheric and a wonderous performance from Walken, this is one of the most genuine and satisfying thrillers of the last 30 years. Forget all the bland Hollywood rubbish, this is the real deal. Very good transfer and extras as well. I orginally bought the British release version and it is terrible, being pan and scan and having no extras. This is the version of choice.
Rating: 
Summary: Jumpin Jack Flash!
Review: Laurence Fishburne at his very very best, plus wesley snipes as a cop is a neat precursor to his New Jack City role where he was kind of like Frank White, only he was Nino Brown. Anyway, it's a bit long-winded, Larry Fishburne's final scene is one for the ages! And its got that kid David Caruso from NYPd Blue as a cop, too
Rating:
Summary: short praise
Review: King of New York according to my oppinnion has the right to claim itsself to be the most impressive and convincing gangster movie ever to be seen on the big screen. Never has a director depicted characters with such cold distance. There's no good and bad to discuss about and all ends up in cold blood. Absurd self betrayal and perversion of justice make gangster and cops alike and in the end you will find yourself questioning your values. King of new York is Abel Ferrara's most brilliant film and a masterpiece of its genre.
Rating:
Summary: Amoral masterpiece from Ferrara
Review: Abel Ferrara does not make films that could be regarded as wholesome family entertainment; in fact, he is arguably the most raw, uncompromising filmmaker at work in America today. This is the man whose work includes such controversial classics as Ms. 45, the Driller Killer and the extraordinary Bad Lieutenant which featured a fearless, powerful performance from Harvey Keitel. However, King of New York manages to combine the edgy, hardcore tension of his earlier work with the kind of polish that comes from a director who is absolutely aware of his vision. The story begins with Christopher Walken's character, Frank White, being released from prison. No sooner has he left than his rivals in the drug business (who have been getting richer and more powerful since his absence) are being killed off by White's loyal subordinates. These minions include such well known character actors as Steve Buscemi and, giving a truly psychotic, energised performance, Laurence Fishburne as the somehow appropriately named Jimmy Jump. White's aim is to gain ultimate control of drug trafficking in New York, hence the title 'King of New York', a fact that impels the law, here represented by Victor Argo, Wesley Snipes and David Caruso, to take drastic (and unlawful) measures to prevent from happening. One of the most notable aspects of this film is that it steadfastly refuses to pass judgment on any of its characters, good or bad. For example, on one hand, we have Walken's character who is planning to use his ill-gotten gains to fund a local children's hospital. On the other, Caruso, Snipes and other members of the police force, furious that the hoods they arrest are back on the streets within hours, resort to posing as a rival drug gang so that, in one astonishing action-packed sequence, they may kill off the criminals they can't put away under the law. This amoral view of the world will no doubt be off-putting to some viewers but, believe me, if you like your films to be provocative, this is the movie for you. The performances are uniformly excellent; it's great to see such movie mad-dogs as Walken, Fishburne, Caruso and Snipes go up against each other, opposite sides of the same coin. Ferrara gets the pace just right, punctuating the sometimes genuinely moving high drama with scenes of explosive bloody violence. If you've seen some of his other work, you'll know what to expect; no-one stages violence as shockingly or as disturbingly as Ferrara. Just check out the night scene in the rain between Fishburne and Snipes or the scene at the funeral and you'll see what I mean. I personally love this underrated classic and I can't wait to see it in the DVD format. If you like gangster movies, this come highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Heavy Duty Star Power
Review: At first glance King of New York comes off as just another gangster film about a vicious crime lord with a soft spot. This is anything but . Christopher Walken in a powerful performance as Frank White is the main character in this movie his right hand man is Laurence fishbourne (When he was known as Larry) who is dead on in his portrayal of a wise cracking henchman . The movie also stars a young Wesley Snipes and Daid Caruso as the cops hellbent on sending frank White to jail. Frank is an evil man but has a heart . He wants to save a public hospital in a poor neighborhood from being sold and privatized. Though Robin Hood he isnt he does come off as a hero to those who look up to him. The story is predictable and has a few holes in it but worth seeing . I guarantee at some point u will find yourself sayin "hey I didnt know he was in this movie" as there are many recognizble role players among the stars mentioned. Caruso and snipes are extremely believable as the cops , Fishbourne is a little over the top yet he doesnt go too far over and after understanding his charcter , you begin to appreciate his performance . As for Walken well he is great in just about any role he takes. Buy this movie you will not be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, Abel Ferraras masterpiece on DVD!
Review: Ferraras visually stunning crime darama is a gripping study in the psychosis of power, as displayed by Christopher Walken, a drug dealer just out of jail. His old gang rapidly drag him back up the ladder, painting rooms Drug-Dealer Red on the way, and making no friends on either side of the law. Vicious as ever, Ferrara remains morally neutral - Walken perceives himself as a man of honour, concerned for his city. This is, in my opinion, Ferraras best film to date and an absolute must buy on DVD. Christopher Walken gives a career best performance in the title role with a solid supporting cast. This Artisan DVD contains Interactive Menus, Music Videos, Theatrical Trailer and TV Spots.
Rating:
Summary: King of the Genre.
Review: Do you like Christopher Walken movies? The good, the deep psychological studies, the creepy psuedo-underworld /misfit characters that have unfortunately typecast one of America's greatest and multi-talented contemporary actors? Do you like Abel Ferrara movies? The down in the muck, inner-city examinations of the seedier motivations and lifestyles-the side of life many of us would like to ignore, but are intrigued by nonetheless? Low budget and a lot of conjones are trademarks of Ferrara's films (Fear City, The Addiction, The Funeral) and this is no exception, but the term stylish is defined here..You see, you hear, you FEEL the environment-the nasty low morality hustlers of the five burroughs.............Much congrats to Alex Tovoularis' production design. King of New York may not be as famous as Ferrara's Bad Lieutenant in the world of the cinema-geek, but maybe it should be. Joe Delia's haunting soundtrack is a perfect compliment to Bojan Bazelli's moody visuals-Walken's confrontation scene of the old-style Mafiosos is as classic as it is intense. Man, do I love this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: a waste of film
Review: aside from Christopher Walken who is the King OF creppy in Hollywood films this film is a after 1:Am special.been there&done it before.Hell No it's not to be mentioned with SCARFACE! that's a special film this is a clunker.Larry,Lawrence Fishburne is alright in this film.David Caruso never proved himself on the big screen.NYPD BLUE was as good as it got for him.don't waste your time on this by the numbers FIlm.
Rating:
Summary: surprisingly dissapointing
Review: To have the audacity to utter the Name "Scarface" in the same sentence as this film's name is an insult to the brilliance of both Pacino and DePalma. The plot: Sad and predictable and manages to somehow cliche the urban drama without any surprises. A seasoned, brilliant actor like Walken lowers himself to such a film and it is an insult to his skill. He relies to much on his purposely awkward speech to define the role, along with a sullen countenance of a tired old man, which is not hard to do...we have seen it by many great actors in coming of age films (pacino, godfather III), (Deniro, Raging Bull). Walken taints his reputation as a serious actor with this film which is mostly a barrage of bologne. I do like the early performances by Fishburne, Snipes and Carusso. They all turned out to be wonderful additions to the action/drama film genre. Overall, a dissapointment.
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