King of New York (1990)

Featured Audience Ratings

• moon r

  
  Imagine having a forced conversation in a dirty alley with a buffed-up, cracked-out, ex- marine, ex-con, half brag, half rant, this utterly unbelievable New York tale of a "good" gangster is riveting in its over-the-top machismo. Its almost a cartoon, but the name talent… More
  Imagine having a forced conversation in a dirty alley with a buffed-up, cracked-out, ex- marine, ex-con, half brag, half rant, this utterly unbelievable New York tale of a "good" gangster is riveting in its over-the-top machismo. Its almost a cartoon, but the name talent keeps you hooked. Watch it.

• Martin S

  
  This was a pretty good movie...But what I couldn't seem to understand was this: The plot was described as "When Walken gets out of prison he has to take back his throne as the king of new york"....but there was no doubt in my mind that he was the undisputed king of new… More
  This was a pretty good movie...But what I couldn't seem to understand was this: The plot was described as "When Walken gets out of prison he has to take back his throne as the king of new york"....but there was no doubt in my mind that he was the undisputed king of new york from the start of the movie...till the end...he had nothing to take back....he had it all. And a little shoutout to Laurence Fishburne...he did a really good job.

• Luke B

  
  I really dug the whole early 90's ness of this entire movie. We had some amazing actors such as Larry Fishburne and Wesley Snipes, giving their all in some memorable side roles. King of New York tells the tale of Frank White, a crimelord that easily buys popularity with the… More
  I really dug the whole early 90's ness of this entire movie. We had some amazing actors such as Larry Fishburne and Wesley Snipes, giving their all in some memorable side roles. King of New York tells the tale of Frank White, a crimelord that easily buys popularity with the community. He simply flashes some cash around and the cops become the bad guys. Soon, out of sheer desperation, the cops reduce themselves to the level of thugs. They use intimidation and violence. The film shows that such tactics are only a short term solution to a much bigger problem. As all great crime epics should, it shows the allure of crime and the devastating downfalls. Walken is astonishing in his role and Argo simply bursts alive opposite him. The latter shows the real pain and suffering that must be endured to maintain strict morals. It's sad how far Walken pushes him.

• xGary X

  
  Crimelord Frank White is released from jail and sets about reclaiming the New York underworld and shaping it in his own image. King Of New York can be seen very much as the Scarface of the 90s. It has much of its excess, including a larger than life central character played with… More
  Crimelord Frank White is released from jail and sets about reclaiming the New York underworld and shaping it in his own image. King Of New York can be seen very much as the Scarface of the 90s. It has much of its excess, including a larger than life central character played with Walken's usual panache, explosions of visceral action and is all set very much within the popular culture of its time; in this case the gang related culture of early hip hop. This is the film which cemented Walken's reputation as psycho of choice for up and coming directors and Laurence Fishburne's manic turn as a gleeful hitman almost steals the show. It's a very influential formula, obviously making an impact on Tarantino and his contemporaries, and the whole recipe of old school hip hop and late 80s fashions which has been enjoying a revival of late has dated surprisingly well. In fact, despite the comparison with Scarface, it's rather better written, directed AND acted than that film. The only thing that stopped it from reaching firm favourite status for me was the rather anti-climactic ending, but I'd still consider this as Ferrara's finest achievement.

• Mike S

  
  For a gangster movie I'd never even heard of before, this was really good. Mainly with credit to its well-written main character (a drug lord played by a brilliant Christopher Walken), whose dual nature and multi-facetted personality, made for a very interesting watch. His Robin… More
  For a gangster movie I'd never even heard of before, this was really good. Mainly with credit to its well-written main character (a drug lord played by a brilliant Christopher Walken), whose dual nature and multi-facetted personality, made for a very interesting watch. His Robin Hood-like ways, of using his power and influences to help the poor and unprivileged, gave the story a quite unique feel. Besides Walken we're also treated to a great supporting cast, including familiar faces like Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne and the always-cool Wesley Snipes. A pretty anonymous, yet intriguing and well-acted film, that held my attention all the way through. Worth seeing just for Walken's wonderful acting.

• Conner R

  
  Christopher Walken on top of the world as Frank White, the most charismatic mobster around. I love the idea of a organized criminal wanting to fund a hospital, a modern day Robin Hood if you ask me. Some great casting with Laurence Fishburne and the slimy David Caruso. The filming is… More
  Christopher Walken on top of the world as Frank White, the most charismatic mobster around. I love the idea of a organized criminal wanting to fund a hospital, a modern day Robin Hood if you ask me. Some great casting with Laurence Fishburne and the slimy David Caruso. The filming is amazing, giving you a grand urban New York feel. For modern gangster movies, it is probably the best around.

• Anthony L

  
  One of the best gangster films ever! This is a classic and one of Ferrara's best!

• Al S

  
  A sizzeling and exhilerating crime-drama that packs serious punch. It's riveting and action-packed. A solid and near-perfect fiilm wiht a great story and top-notch all-star cast who all deliver fantastic performances. Christopher Walken is brilliant. David Caruso is electrifying.… More
  A sizzeling and exhilerating crime-drama that packs serious punch. It's riveting and action-packed. A solid and near-perfect fiilm wiht a great story and top-notch all-star cast who all deliver fantastic performances. Christopher Walken is brilliant. David Caruso is electrifying. Lawerance Fishburne is excellent. Wesly Snipes is teriffc,

• Stella D

  
  pure coke-fueled 80's excess. walken is rarely less than riveting and fishburne is a hoot. david caruso, on the other hand, never fails to irritate me. still this was fun.

• Curtis L

  
  Boy did this film blow. Walken is great, and Larry Fishburne is a fun character, but the movie itself was seedly 80's garbage.

• Chris W

  
  Very intense and memorable performances, along with stylish brutal violence, and a classic hip-hop soundtrack highlight Abel Ferrera's 1990 gangester flick starring Christopher Walken and Laurence Fishburne, among many others.

• Wu C

  
  One of Abel Ferrara's best. Good performances all around, even from Wesley Snipes.

• Lee K

  
  One of the best mafia/hood movies out there. Christopher Walken shines as a crime boss to an all black gang/family. Very cool storyline, with all the mafia trimmings money,drugs, women, and excessive violence. A very impressive performance from laurence fishburne too.

• Jonny C

  
  Great movie. Walken gives one of his best menacing performances as a crime lord. A lot of familiar actors in their early years co-star.

• alan j

  
  Gritty slice of crime life in the big apple; terrific cast including Walken,Caruso, Fishburne and Snipes....a bit cliche but overall plenty of drama and action..and hasa small part played by Ariane, one of my fave actresses:)

• Christopher B

  
  From this film being booed off the stage at certain festivals (by cretins I might add), this is now a genuine classic. Ferrara's gritty style mixed with garish sets makes this film quite visually wonderful and the acting is excellent. I remember hating the whole "Where… More
  From this film being booed off the stage at certain festivals (by cretins I might add), this is now a genuine classic. Ferrara's gritty style mixed with garish sets makes this film quite visually wonderful and the acting is excellent. I remember hating the whole "Where Scarface left off, KONY begins..." tagline (I hate movies that compare themselves to other movies, be your own movie I scream..and then get kicked out of the video store), but this tagline actually fits quite nicely. A lot of Ferrara's Catholicism makes it's way into the movie, but still it's a tough as nails gangster epic. Great performances all around, which is pretty much par for the course in a Ferrara film, and a great story about a chapter in the life of a crime lord. Highly recommended.

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