Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: King of New York (1990), DVD

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Posted by John Koutsoumis (Member # 1855) on 05-08-2006, 09:32 AM:

Why do so many people detest this film?

I first entered the world of Abel Ferrara when I loaned out a copy of "Bad Lieutenant" (1992) and that was one heck of an experience.

King of New York may not as full on but it's certainly bold and inventive. It also had people turning on the heels for the exit.

Christopher Walken stars as "Frank White", a Drug Lord who is released from prison and now that his back he wants to get straight back into business. So before you can say "Welcome Back", the head of Frank's goons "Jimmy Jump" (Laurence Fishburne) takes out the Colombian's which pisses of the Italians, but now there's a new game plan on the streets.
Unless your in business with Frank White, you ain't in business at all.
But Frank isn't all that greedy, he is now reformed and playing
the Robin Hood of New York. But there is one problem (as usual), the cops and they're pissed and are betting hard on putting the ice cold killer Frank out of business.

I like this for it's style and rock steel portrayal of Frank White by Christopher Walken. Ferrara's simple but strong visuals (with the help of DP Bojan Bazelli) are trully engrossing. There is no social values or moral lessons per'se but who needs that in every single film. The portrayal of the cops is refreshing and different compared to the typical annoying 'go through the motions' characters.

I first viewed King of New York on a region 1 special edition copy but have since bought the local r4 release which has excelent picture (full frame 16:9) but the sound quality is less than desirable sadly.

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 05-09-2006, 05:18 PM:

I saw this movie for the first time about two months ago. I liked it. I especially like the way everyone gets what they deserve in the end!!! David Caruso - he gets it good.