Rating: 
Summary: Cinematography and direction are brilliant in this film
Review: I read a newspaper article about this film being based upon a graphic novel, which is an extended and detailed comic book. I immediatley noticed that camera shots in this movie reminded me of a comic book. It wasn't just because of the subject matter that it was remniscient of a comic book. The camera angles the director used were all revealing and unique. I thought that the graphic novel must have helped the director out alot. The story itself follows an Irish crime family that is internally falling apart. This is mostly due to the leader's son named Connor Rooney, who kills people left and right without ryhme or reason. Michael Sullivan, played by Tom Hanks, is a hitman working for the senior Rooney, superbly cast and played by Paul Newman, who's young son witnesses a murder by Connor and is forced to escape after finding his wife and other son murdered in his house. The two Sullivan's ride across the country robbing banks to make money while Michael tries to avoid getting killed by the hitman, played smartly by Jude Law, and avenge his wife and child's death. The conflicts within the story make for some great action and suspense as well as some emotionally moving moments. The ending is just great. It is a sad ending but it is well deserved considering the build-up. The director did an excellent job and all the actors gave powerful performances. I reccomend this movie to anyone who likes an emotional gangster movie. It resembles "Donnie Brasco" with Al Pacino and Johnny Depp the most.
Rating:
Summary: Sometimes there's no ram in the bush
Review: This movie makes your mind swarm with thoughts and anticipation. If you pay close attention you can predict what is going to happen. Even in it's predictability you will love this movie. Tom Hanks is incredible in his role as a gangster hitman. Who knew he could do such a thing? Jude Law gives a wonderful performance as a wierdo. Jennifer Jason-Leigh is peculiar in her role as Tom Hanks wife. She almost doesn't fit because of her age, but she grows on you.Road to perdition is exciting and new and even if gangster is not your style you will enjoy this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing and Breathtaking! An Outstanding Film!
Review: "Open your eyes. This is the life we chose. The life we lead. And there is only one guarantee... none of us will see heaven." One of the most powerful and devastating quotes comes from Paul Newman's character, John Rooney, in this amazing and breathtaking crime/drama, "Road to Perdition," which I think could easily be the "Godfather" of 2000. And it's about time. Tom Hanks is a loving father with a beautiful wife and two children. Peter, the youngest, and Michael, the oldest. But that's not all to Hanks' character. He is also a hit man for mob boss, John Rooney. Hanks' line of work is never discussed with his family. Ever. One night, everything goes wrong. On what was supposed to be a simple job, Hanks and Rooney's son end up having to kill a loudmouth who insulted Rooney at a wake and his goons. What they didn't realize was that the son, Michael, had hid inside the car and was able to see everything. He is completley devastated and has no idea how to act. Hanks knows that he has a problem. No matter how much he believes that his son will not talk, other parties aren't so sure. The results end up with Hank's wife and younger son being murdered. Now, they know there's no turning back and they must flee the area. Hanks very much wants to put a bullet in the man responsible for his wife and younger son's deaths, but his main concern is Michael's safety. And he will do anything it takes to make sure that not a single hair on his head is harmed. And that he never has to lead the life that he has. This was such a fantastic movie. The direction and acting was outstanding. The cinematography was also very impressive, indeed. The movie gives you a sense of dread, sorrow, pain, and yet, hope. I also enjoyed the score to the movie very much. Tom Hanks breaks away from his tradtional "nice guy" roll and is able to show us his darker side. That might anger some die-hard Hanks fans, but a true actor should be able to break away from traditional roles. He does a great job in bringing depth and heart to his character, as well as bringing a sort of darkness and burden. Paul Newman also outdoes himself with giving one hell of a performance. Jude Law also should be recognized as well. The only downside to this movie is that it is a downer. You will not want to see this if you do not want to feel sadness or depressed. I think they shouldn't had released this movie in the summer, since mostly everybody looks to see comedies and uplifting movies. Still, it is such a sight to see. It is a magnificent picture, overall. Just be warned; you will feel sadness and dread as you watch the movie. But do not let that stop you from seeing it. I am glad I finally got to see this. I really did enjoy it, and look forward to seeing it again soon. This movie really does deserve a few Acadamy Awards. But after the last horrible performance from the Acadamy, I have completley lost my faith in the Oscars. It is now pollitical, and nothing else. Just know this, "Road to Perdition" is one of the best films of 2002. It's a movie that should not be missed. By anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Flawed but still amazing masterpiece.
Review: Road to Perdition is so ambitious that any flaws it may have are made irrelevant by the film's grandiosity of vision, technical brilliance, and unique sensibility. Several members of the production team were carried over from American Beauty -- director Sam Mendes, legendary cinematographer Conrad Hall, brilliant composer Thomas Newman -- but the two films are apples and oranges. What they do share is a sense of boldness, narrative voices that are unique and distinctive. Hall's photography is once again superlative -- and the larger, more elegiac tone of this film allows him even more room to dazzle with his visual magic. Thomas Newman's score is inscrutable, once again so intrinsically woven into the fabric of the film that it becomes a seamless part of the whole, enhancing the action rather than sticking out from it. The acting as a whole is wonderful. Paul Newman still has the ability to ignite the screen with a look; young actor Tyler Hoechlin is terrific as lead character Michael Sullivan, Jr., the gangster's son in danger of following his father's path; and Jude Law is fantastic and eccentric as psychotic hitman Maguire, opting for an engrossing low-key menace. Tom Hanks is the weak link in the first half of the film; his character is not a well-defined one for a good 45 minutes, and his repressed performance doesn't help. Fortunately he comes to life in Act 2 of the film with the first bank robbery. A good thing, for the film's emotional impact hinges on him, and from this point on he acquits himself well. However, I can't help but think an actor like Liam Neeson (remembering his powerhouse performance in Neil Jordan's Michael Collins) could have brought much more fire, volatility and charisma to this role. Nonetheless, Hanks works well enough, even if he's one of the flawed elements. There is a small number of scenes that last a little longer than they need to, as well, even though as a whole the film is quite well paced, and even when scenes run long, the eye-melting cinematography tends to keep you from becoming disengaged. One of Road to Perdition's greatest strengths is that it is unlike any other gangster film in history. While its themes have been touched upon by the Godfather series, its approach -- kind of a hybrid noir gangster/mismatched buddy/road movie -- is very original indeed. Just for that, I'd recommend it as essential viewing. And there is more to be discovered.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful period piece
Review: The acting in this movie, both by Tom Hanks and the young man who played his son, were splendid. Paul Newman, who never seems to grow any older, just whiter, also played his part well. Being from the same time era that the movie took place in, I can tell you that the scenes, autos and clothing were all authentic appearing. (Didn't they always looked so overdressed compared to today?) The only negative: one could certainly believe that gangster assains were just good family men who went home most nights. It could be said to glamorize a person who in real life would probably have been a pschopath All in all, n excellent movie!
Rating:
Summary: ROAD TO PERDITION
Review: TOM HANKS WAS EXCELLENT! I CRIED AT THE END! THE STORY EVEN THOUGHT IT WAS VIOLENT , SHOWS HOW ANY PARENT GOOD OR BAD PERSONALLY HAS AN IMPACT ON THEIR CHILD!
Rating:
Summary: Dark Entertainment
Review: Atmospheric. Grim. Here is a somber but well-paced story with lots of violence and very little comic relief. Tom Hanks, as Michael Sullivan, takes on a tricky role. He must be sympathetic, but not too sympathetic: a cold-blooded killer who would sacrifice everything for his family. As expected, Hanks pulls it off beautifully. The acting is solid throughout. Paul Newman is brilliant as an older version of Sullivan-too bad he didn't get more screen time to plumb the depths of his agonizingly conflicted, brutal yet tender character. Daniel Craig, as Newman's thoroughly rotten son, makes you want to jump out of your seat and murder him yourself. And, I could watch Stanley Tucci play Frank Nitti all day. The only problem for me was Jude Law's character: despite Law's solid performance, Maguire seems awfully contrived and stylized for a film otherwise stripped of frills and grimly realistic. Regardless, the film is well worth seeing: besides the acting, the costumes and set designs are fantastic, the relationship between Sullivan and his son unfolds beautifully, and Sullivan's bobsled ride to Hell is painful, yet totally engrossing.
Rating:
Summary: Tom Hanks darker side
Review: This film portrays the character of Tom Hanks as the dichotomy of the caring, loyal family man who is also a top enforcer for a faction of the gangsters akin to Al Capone. As the devout family man, he wants for his two sons to avoid the path that has taken him to the life as a heartless murderer in the protection of the mobs' financial interests. When he is with the family, he is a normal father and husband. When he is working, he becomes a cold blooded killer. Yet, there is the sensitive side of this cold blooded killer that kills mainly out of loyalty and duty to the man and mob boss who raised him played by Paul Neuman. You are able to see what Tom Hanks' character sees when he is betrayed and members of his family are executed. And later, you see his development to the darker side to seek revenge on those responsible for killing his family. He must protect his last remaining son and himself from those that wanted to kill his entire family. This is another fine performance for Mr. Hanks. Although this is new territory from the roles he has played in the past, it is certainly not new for him to play such a role with excellence and distinction. Watching this film you will once again be entertained by his performance. Accordingly, Howie gives this a 5 star rating.
Rating: 
Summary: not believable
Review: Tom Hanks is great, but he can't believably play a bad guy. He can be funny or serious, but a mob hit man / collector? Give me a break. Everyone was trying to kill him, but nobody really disliked him, they all felt bad about it because he was so well liked and respected. Hanks always plays an empathetic character, but that doesn't match my idea of a hired assassin. Paul Newman puts in a great part as the mob patriarch.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring, flat excuse for a sophisticated movie
Review: Having enjoyed "American Beauty" immensely, I decided to see "Road to Perdition" because I expected Sam Mendes' biting social criticism and intelligence. Instead, I received perhaps one of the most boring movies I've ever paid to see. Tom Hanks delivers an "Oscar-caliber" performance, if by Oscar-caliber one means emotionless and tremendously boring. He doesn't develop his character, and he delivers his lines with what Hollywood likes to think is depth (saying banalities very slowly doesn't make them more powerful, folks). Sappy interjections of Tom Hanks' character's son, and the pure evil embodied by Jude Law's assassin does not at all make this movie more watchable, and I found myself bursting out laughing at was supposed to be a heavy father-son moment in the middle of the movie, since it was so poorly acted. The "fantastic" cinematography of the film consists of an overuse of the color brown, and water everywhere. The soundtrack seems to be the same one as American Beauty's. In all, a waste of time and money.
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