Rating: 
Summary: Godfather, Casino, Goodfellas, Carlitos Way... it is not.
Review: I have looked through every single review on this movie and have only seen a handful of people that agree with me that this movie is a dud. I also noticed that almost no one found their reviews helpful. So I already know I may be wasting my time, but if I can keep someone else from buying this movie without seeing it first then it is worth it. The reason why I looked so closely was because I wondered why so many people loved (not liked) this movie when I absolutely hated it. I saw the advertisement for this dvd on TV and I thought "wow, this is great, a hidden gem that I have missed". Wrong! I rushed right out and bought this 4-hour movie and sat through it patiently and wanting to like it. I do not spend my money like that going into the movie wanting to dislike it. I am a big fan of all the great "Mob/Gangster" movies, but this one was just awful. Yeah it had a handful of good scenes, but at 3 hours and 49 minutes that 2nd dvd is just a chore to get through. A scene that could take 30 seconds would take 3 to 5 minutes. After a while I just kept asking myself why is this necessary to keep focusing in on things for so long. It was like every scene was supposed to be a photograph and the director could not part with the photo until he was sure you got it by keeping it in front of you for as long as possible. Everyone mentions the cake scene that takes 5 minutes and could be done in 20 to 30 seconds. The whole movie is that way. I think the main flaw with this movie is that it goes back and forth in time way to much. It is not that you cannot follow along with it, but it seems very unnecessary. You can tell that the director is trying to show all of his skills of story telling and editing, but it seems very manipulated. Once I got to the end of the movie I was annoyed with the fact that I was right there where I had started. It was like the director was saying, "look how cleaver I am", "I wrapped this movie up in a nice little bow". I loved the Godfather Part 2 and thought the flashbacks were done extremely well. I thought they really helped the story and background of the characters. This movie was totally different. It did not focus on them as much as Adults, but as children. I guarantee you that if the Godfather Part 2 had focused on Vito for an hour and a half as a 10 year old you would not see that movie the same way you do now. Also, if you watch the great classics like Godfather 1 & 2 or Casino, or even a Bronx Tale, you can see a real point to the whole movie. In the 1st Godfather you can see the progression of the family and Michael into the dominant powers in the mob. If you look at this movie, there is no archrival, no antagonist, and no real point to the existence of the "gang" or the movie. As much as this movie tries to develop characters and make you care about them, its main failure is that there is no reason to root for them. They live, they die, it does not really seem to matter a whole lot. I love all of the actors in the movie and it makes me scratch my head why so many people liked it and I do not. I have watched well over 20,000 movies and have over 500 dvd's in my personal movie collection, so you could say I am a movie buff. I guess I just cannot believe that 90% or more people absolutely love this movie when I did not enjoy it in the least. Usually I am right there with the pack on good movies. I was one of the people spreading the word on hidden gems like The Shawshank Redemption, and The Usual Suspects before most people even heard of them.
Rating: 
Summary: An Old Favorite Finally Comes To DVD.
Review: When I first saw ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA in a theatre in 1984, I was very disappointed. I had been a fan of Leone's since THE GOOD, THE BAD, & THE UGLY (although I didn't like the first two DOLLARS movies). What I saw looked like a GODFATHER clone with Jewish as opposed to Italian gangsters. The performances were fine, the settings and the camera work were top notch and it had one of Ennio Morricone's finest scores but somehow it didn't quite work. Then I saw the original version of the film on HBO and I was outraged. This original version made "THE GODFATHER look like a plate of cold spaghetti" to quote a review from Cannes where the film was greeted with thunderous applause. As documented elsewhere the film was cut from 229 min to 139 min but the real crime was in totally rearranging the film's storyline into chronological order thus robbing it of what makes the film so unique. The power and persistence of memory is a theme which runs through most of Leone's films but never has it been treated with such genius as it is here. I have seen this movie many times and I'm still catching little details and nuances. That's what makes a movie great in my opinion. Even though I know how it will end I still find the last 30 minutes as wrenching an emotional experience as any film has ever given me. It's great to finally have it on DVD as that makes it easier to replay my favorite scenes. I must agree with an earlier reviewer that the way DVD #1 ends is highly unsatisfactory (the intermission occurs early in DVD #2) but you can't have everything. This movie for me is the culmination of the motion picture experience. It is Leone's homage to the history of movies. Everything from silent film technique (note the long periods of silence and watch everybody's eyes as they speak volumes) to references from several different films to a masterful use of music and camera can be found once you get below the surface and immerse yourself in the details. This is not an easy film to deal with on many different levels which is why it requires a lot of effort from those who watch it. But if you are willing to make the effort, I think that you will find that there's really not another film quite like it. I guarantee that it will leave you talking to yourself and asking questions afterwards and how many films can do that. So thanks to AOL/Time/Warner for finally making this masterpiece available on DVD. Perhaps in future editions the intermission faux pas can be corrected. Incidentally Giuseppe Tornatore borrowed a central plot twist from this film for the uncut version of his CINEMA PARADISO.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie, [crummy] DVD
Review: Lacking in special features, even the print index for the 2 discs is incorrect. The sound options are also limited. This looks like some rush job that will eventually be re-released as a special edition somewhere down the road.
Rating: 
Summary: Leone's Final Film
Review: Sergio Leone's last film, Once Upon A Time In America is a close to four hour film that tells the story of Jewish gangsters over the course of forty years. The film is told in flashback style focusing on David "Noodles" Aaronson played by Robert DeNiro and his relationship with Max Bercovicz played by James Woods. The film opens with Noodles fleeing New York after seeing his gang members murdered and being hunted down by other gangsters for ratting them out. The film then flashes forward to 1968 when Noodles returns to the old neighborhood after receiving a mysterious letter regarding burial plots. The most interesting part of the film is the section where Mr. Leone explores the origins of Noodles and Max's relationship. Showing the two gangsters as young hoods on the lower East Side of Manhattan is an excellent piece of cinema and the actors, Scott Tiler and Rusty Jacobs, who play the young Noodles and young Max respectively are quite good especially Mr. Tiler. Jennifer Connolly makes her screen debut as the young Deborah who is object of Noodles' affection. Noodles is sent away to prison for killing another thug who has shot and killed one of his gang members. When he returns after a decade in jail, we follow the gang's exploits as adults that include William Forsythe as Cockeye and James P. Hayden as Patsy. Along the way Joe Pesci and Burt Young play gangsters who set a diamond deal for the crew, Danny Aiello as a corrupt police chief (whose last name also happens to be Aiello), Treat Williams as an idealistic union leader, Jimmy O'Donnell and Tuesday Weld as Max's love interest. Elizabeth McGovern plays the adult Deborah and one of the film's most intense scenes involves Noodles raping Deborah in the back of a car after a romantic and elegant dinner at the beach. The film is very violent in places, but never overtly gratuitous. The film is ambitious in its scope, but the plot wanders all over the place and the ending just doesn't seem plausible. Some film critics have come to the conclusion that the events in the film end up not being real, but merely a hallucination of Noodles' while he is consuming opium in an opium den. Mr. DeNiro underplays his character to point of almost sleepwalking through certain parts. Mr. Woods, on the other hand, is explosive and gives one of his best performances. When the film was shown at the Cannes Film Festival, it received rave reviews, but when it was released in the US, almost an hour and a half of the picture was cut, leaving the film virtually undecipherable. This dvd restores the film to its original director's cut and while the picture is ambitious, one gets the sense that it doesn't pay off on its grand plans.
Rating: 
Summary: About time. I forgot how great this movie was!
Review: First off, the movie transformation to me was great. It's too bad they couldn't put it all on one DVD, but due to the length of this movie (close to 4 hours at 220+ minutes), it would have degraded the picture and sound. I won't go into all the details of the movie; suffice it to say that there are plenty of those reviews around. However, this isn't your typical shoot-em-up gangster movie. And, like the Godfather Part II, it isn't linear in it's story telling. But, to me, that makes it all the more interesting. The last time I saw this movie was on the extended VHS version, which was probably over 15 years ago. I am happy to report for me that it was just as enjoyable as I remember so long ago. My only gripes with this version are minor: 1) I understand it had to be split across two DVDs. However, after Noodles takes out the last of Joe's men after the diamond heist, it stops right in the middle of that entire scene. If only they could have cut it somewhere where the movie transitions to a different part of the story rather than in the middle of an act, then it wouldn't seem so abrupt. Also, the DVD box states that Disc 2 starts around chapter 44 or so. I was surprised and thought maybe I had a bad DVD when right after Noodles shoots the guy, an FBI warning came up as if the movie ended. Luckily, when I popped in DVD 2, it started where it was supposed to, but it wasn't chapter 44 (or somewhere around there) as the box states. That just made it a tad bit confusing, but it's just a minor gripe. 2) I wish it had more special features. But, since DVD number 2 is about 2 hours long as well, I guess they wanted to keep the compression down as much as possible to give a better picture and sound and possibly keep the price down. The featurette they have on DVD 2 is an excerpt about Sergio and has interviews with James Woods, James Coburn and members of Leone's family and other people who were involved in making the movie. I only wish I could have seen the entire special because it was very interesting. Hopefully, it can be obtained sometime later? These two minor quips are the only reason this DVD release didn't get a 5-star review. In fact, I probably would have given it 5 stars IF they had split the movie across the DVDs better. However, for those who loved this movie back then and want it on DVD, get it. What was interesting is how this movie was "forced" to be put into a linear story telling for it's US release and cut to about 130 some minutes. Yet, for some reason, The Godfather Part II (which I think is the best of all three Godfathers) ran about 207 minutes and was not told in a completely linear fashion (skipping back and forth between Vito's past and Michael's present), but it was considered an excellent movie (and I agree). The butchered release of Once Upon a Time in America that was shown in the US did nothing but destroy what I feel is one of the greatest story telling movies. To see how this gang evolved over 50 years from young punks, to successful gangsters to nothing is fascinating. It's just a shame that Mr. Leone couldn't live to see his true vision of Once Upon a Time in America finally released the way it was in Cannes so long ago. Get this movie and go for a swim!
Rating:
Summary: **** 1/2
Review: Sergio Leone is one of the most famous and popular film directors of our time. He has brought us DUCK, YOU SUCKER ; A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS ; THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY ; ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST and ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA. For the first time in America ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA is now available uncut and ready to be seen in all it's brutal glory. ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA is the story of Noodles (Robert De Niro) and Max (James Woods), two Jewish gangsters who grow up in the Bronx and the dirtier areas of New York City. It is the epic tale of their 50 years together, going from poverty to the good life and back. It is a stunning, unique look at the underworld and how even the best of friendships can die with the push of a button (not literally...). Sergio Leone's directing is perfect. Ennio Morricone's music is great and well-fitting. The script is long, but holds up well throughout the time. The acting is also great, with top-notch performances from Woods and De Niro. Leone, previously with a reputation solely for directing westerns (almost all of which became classics) clearly has an excellent take on the gangster genre, and this comes out as his best with THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY. Highly recommended. Don't buy that ... 139 minute VHS. Buy the full 229 minute DVD. Believe me, it's worth it. OVERALL: 4.5 [Masterpiece] out of 5 [Flawless]
Rating:
Summary: Underrated Masterpiece
Review: Once Upon a Time in America, along with operatic Once Upon a Time in the West, are director Sergio Leone's underrated masterpieces. While far from historically accurate, both films highlight parts of American history. Most importantly, Sergio Leone masterfully puts us into the minds of characters, enabling us to fully connect (particularly effective via his trademark "Sergio Leone" extreme close-up shots). Is Once Upon a Time in America a film about friendship? Greed? Unrequited love? The film echos with dreams, ultimately telling us that despite all the ambitions, it is difficult to realize your dream... and how easily it can slip by. Cinematography by Tonino Delli Colli, this is a marvelous film to look at, with many unforgettable shots. This DVD features high bitrate remastered anamorphic widescreen video transfer (1.85:1). The images pack a ton of details with deep shadow detail and periodic color palette. Best of all, no edge enhancement. The print is in generally good shape, but some print defects might show up here and there. Expect some grain and video noises on dark scenes. Just as underrated is Ennio Morricone's score, possibly his most haunting work ever. Many film score composers cite Once Upon a Time in America as among the very best score ever written, and it is easy to hear why. Like his score to Once Upon a Time in the West, this score features 3 distinctively unforgettable themes. Remasterd in 5.1-channel Dolby Digital, his score packs deep bass response and generally wide soundstage. The surround activity is fairly minimal, however. Restored to 229 minutes, this version indeed represents the longest US home video release to date. It is worth noting, however, that Italian release was significantly longer, with 9 minutes of additional footage, adding incidental scenes. Film: 5 out of 5
Video Quality: 4 out of 5
Audio Quality: 3.5 out of 5
Supplements: 3 out of 5
Rating:
Summary: ONCE UPON A TIME - ENTERTAINS, ENTHRALLS AND CAPTIVATES!
Review: "Once Upon A Time In America" is director, Sergio Leone's stunning tale of organized crime and the destruction it unleashes into the lives of four life-long friends. Robert DeNiro headlines a cast of great talent that includes Joe Pesci, Treat Williams and James Woods. When this film first premiered in 1984 it was 229 minutes. However, the subject matter was considered so violent and shocking, and the pace so methodically slow that nearly 40 minutes were excised for general exhibition, rendering the story line practically incomprehensible. I am pleased to say that this new 2-disc set at last gives us the story as it was originally intended, full of robust characterizations, enthralling action sequences and filled with the sort of memorable moments that have reminded me why we all go to the movies - to be entertained (not overwhelmed with way-too-many, ultra-slick digital effects!).
Warner Brothers 2 disc set does have its drawbacks. First, the movie itself is spread over two discs and, there is no polite way to say it, the interruption is obtrusive. The break happens right in the middle of a crucial scene. Interruption aside, the DVD is marred by considerable film grain and a bit of digital grit that make most of the images digitally harsh instead of creamy smooth. Many scenes offer remarkable clarity and depth while others, mostly night time or dark scenes suffer from a loss of fine detail that disappears into a haze of undistinguished muddy blacks, browns and blues. Edge enhancement, pixelization, shimmering and aliasing are present throughout the transfer, sometimes distractingly so. The audio is remixed 5.1 and is strident and lacking in tonal bass.
Extras: Pretty much a retrospective and audio commentaries. Some toss away stuff. That's it, that's all!
BOTTOM LINE: For its sheer mastery in the art of cinema story telling, I recommend "Once Upon A Time In America". The transfer leaves something to be desired but hey, it's nice to have this American classic back in the spotlight and, finally, in its full running time.
Rating:
Summary: A DARK DREAM OF AMERICA
Review: Sergio Leone's splendid 229 minute restored director's cut of ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA, one of the most sought-after movies not yet available on DVD, finally makes it's digital disc debut (June 10) exactly as seen at it's 1984 Cannes Film Festival premiere. Sadly, after it's initial showing, the distributor demanded major cuts that not only shortened the film by 90 minutes, but restructured the non-linear story line. The butchered result was a film that often made no sense with characters appearing and disappearing without rhyme or reason. It broke Leone's heart: his fairy tale had been decimated. This special two-disc presentation includes a low-key commentary by film critic Richard Schickel and a documentary "Once Upon A Time: Sergio Leone." The original poster art claimed: "As boys, they said they'd die for each other. As men, they did." Brutal and beautiful, Leone's saga of Jewish gangsters covers nearly 50 years (1920 to 1968) in the strange partnership of Lower East Side childhood thugs Noodles (Robert De Niro) and Max (James Woods). It begins in an opium den and ends there. It it all a pipe dream in Noodles' head? Shot in 1982, preproduction began 10 years earlier as an adaptation of "The Hoods," a novel by Harry Grey (but said to be Harry Goldberg's autobiography of his life as a mobster). Although screenplay credit is given to six writers, the dialogue is often sparse or non-existent; purely visual sequences abound with long stretches of startling action set against painterly period vistas. Leone's last film -- he died in 1989 -- jumps back and forth in time and the lead characters are intentionally ambivalent: somehow lost and unredeemed. Noodles is certainly not someone we root for. The fine supporting cast includes Elizabeth McGovern, Tuesday Weld and Joe Pesci. When the film is over, what most remains in the memory is a mood -- the feeling of a lucid dream of America fueled by Ennio Morricone's exquisite score and the hallucinatory images of 1920s New York.
Rating:
Summary: At Long Last....
Review: ahhh...I told Amazon.com to e-mail me when "Once Upon A Time" was scheduled to be released on the queen mother of all movie formats, and here it is. Frankly, I love long movies. I love losing myself for nearly 4 hours in a flick. And this one leaves me wanting more. When you get to the final shot with Noodles grinning madly in the Opium theater, you will feel like you've grown up with these characters. This film will require more than one viewing to make sense. The opening 30 minutes moves back and forth between eras and leaves you wondering what time period they're in and why no one will answer that darned telephone. That's one of the few flaws. Others will be Leone's unflinching and raw portrait of criminal minds. You can't cheer for ANYONE in this movie. Well, I guess you can for Noodles (Robert De Niro) until he rapes his childhood sweetheart in the back of a car. Well, he's pretty cruel. No hero there. This setting of the story is before sexual equality was present. EVERY woman in this film is either a prostitute, raped, or molested with a gun barrel. I'm not sure why this is rated R, since the director's cut adds footage that was originally cut simply to satisfy an R rating from the MPAA. I hear that the extra 2 minutes of footage are, well, brutal, and are basically additions to what is already excessive rape and violence. Francis Ford Coppola successfully brought Mario Puzo's breakthrough book THE GODFATHER to the screen in a tasteful manner. Horses got their heads chopped off, Sonny was riddled with bullets ala "Bonnie and Clyde", but the brutality and a small pinch of mysogny in those films were limited and didn't alienate the audience. If you're a feminist or a woman, period, do not watch this movie. That said, this film is extraordinary. Sometimes its fun to just watch the first hour and a half, with a beautiful recreation of turn-of-the-century New York. This is where i feel the movie should have started with the Noodles/Fat Joe reunion appearing later. A young Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) plays Noodles' crush, Deborah. He also has a few other childhood pals, but, as Deborah points out, they're all punks and all they do is perform petty crimes for their boss, Bugsy, who lets them have a dollar or "roll the drunk" for their efforts. This is a very compelling portion of the film, with Deborah being the light in Noodles' criminal mind. She explains to him that its either his friends or her, an ongoing war in his mind that never ends. He can't choose between them.
There is occasional humor (you want to go swimming?, the police captain's baby being switched around), regret, betrayal, and an ending that has been the topic of message board discussions for several years now. There are several questions Leone purposely leaves unanswered for audience interpretation, another one being whether or not the whole movie is an opium dream in Noodles' mind. These flaws still don't compare to the strengths and the triumphs of the movie, like the childhood turn-of-the-century flashback. It is the highlight of the film (The scene with them walking with the Brooklyn bridge behind them is breathtaking) and alone is worth 5 star status. The commentary by Richard Schickel is disappointing. All he says is "Oh, this is a wonderful scene", "Oh I like this transition", "I like this part". not much there.
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