Carlito's Way: Ultimate Edition DVD Review:

This slower paced and more thoughtful gangster film has always been one of my favorites. While most gangster film feel the need to take the story from the start of the gangster’s criminal career, Carlito’s Way looks at the tail end. It still has all of the incredible gunplay and action, but there is a thoughtfulness to Carlito’s Way. I have a hard time even putting Carlito’s way in the same category as The Godfather, Scarface, or Goodfellas. With a fantastic score and beautiful cinematography, Carlito’s Way is almost too beautiful for such a violent film.

Al Pacino is at the top of his game as former drug kingpin Carlito Brigante> Carlito is released from prison by his sleazy and powerful attorney (Sean Penn) and shocks everyone by claiming to go straight. This proves more difficult than he realized and soon Carlito finds himself being pulled into the world which he belongs. He follows a code of honor which has been abandoned in the time he has spent in prison and soon he finds himself in a personal war. Because the entire film is essentially told through the eyes of a dying man, there is a sadness to Carlito’s Way that really speaks more true to films like Sunset Boulevard than any other gangster films.

The film looks fantastic, with a great transfer which makes the picture come alive. I was somewhat disappointed with the package when I found that it was a double sided disc rather than a two disc package. It may be an easy way to save money and make little difference; I enjoy the discs with designs much better. Aside from the disc, and perhaps the back cover, the package is great. The cover photo is simple, but looks fantastic.

Special features include a few little things, but not nearly what I would expect from an Ultimate Edition. There is a five minute feature with Brian De Palma commenting on specific elements of Carlito’s Way. There is also a thirty minute feature on the making of Carlito’s Way which goes into more detail. It examines the process, from the book to the screen. Particularly interesting is the stories about the actors involved. There are also deleted scenes, a photo and poster gallery, the theatrical trailer, and a promotional featurette. Many of these features are simply not what I would have expected. I at least expected there to be a commentary track.



Ryan Izay