De Palma, De Palma, De Palma. Although Brian is a brilliant director little lapses in foresight often stop 10 star movies gaining top marks. The first time I saw this movie I missed the first 10 minutes but caught on quickly, I was familiar with Gangster redemption tales and this seemed to fit in with those. The movie really captured me with the snooker 'trick shot' scene and for the rest of the film I was hooked. By the time I had reached the ending I had grown to care for Carlito Brigante immensely and was extremely tense in the getaway scene. Every close call i was rubbing sweat off my palms. I truly wanted this character to escape his inevitable(?) doom. At last I thought he had made it and was literally jumping for the air when the killer shock comes...Carlito is killed by a two-bit punk I had forgotten about 'Benny Blanco from the Bronx'. The shock hit me hard and I was deeply moved by Pacino's monologue. The credits rolled and I had been exhilarated and moved by this story ad would straight-away have given it 10 stars.
However, last night I saw the movie was on and set a reminder, I saw the movie from the start...big mistake. The opening credits are a montage of shots from the end sequence, totally taking the shock away from the ending, moving the surprise from Carlito dying, to who killed him which makes the impact of the last scene seriously dampened. If you know from the start he does not make it you have lessened your enjoyment considerably.
Never-the-less this movie is still must see despite De Palmas idiotic mistake of the opening credits his style remains and several shots are breathtaking. Pacino is at his usual best, one look with those eyes out-acts any Tom Hanks or Tom Cruise performance. Just cut the opening credits if you make a directors cut Brian...pleeeeeaaaassseee!
However, last night I saw the movie was on and set a reminder, I saw the movie from the start...big mistake. The opening credits are a montage of shots from the end sequence, totally taking the shock away from the ending, moving the surprise from Carlito dying, to who killed him which makes the impact of the last scene seriously dampened. If you know from the start he does not make it you have lessened your enjoyment considerably.
Never-the-less this movie is still must see despite De Palmas idiotic mistake of the opening credits his style remains and several shots are breathtaking. Pacino is at his usual best, one look with those eyes out-acts any Tom Hanks or Tom Cruise performance. Just cut the opening credits if you make a directors cut Brian...pleeeeeaaaassseee!