Gangster movies have a long and storied history. Hollywood has been making movies about gangsters for decades, with famous movies like Scarface and White Heat being particularly popular throughout the 30s and 40s. The genre has progressed through the ages and is now mostly connected with Martin Scorsese, who has directed many a famous gangster flick.
Of course, there are many classic gangster films out there. But do they really deserve that "classic" pedigree? There are also many unappreciated gangster films out there that deserve more respect and attention. These are five gangster movies that are way underrated, and five that are overrated.
UNDERRATED: The Godfather Part III (1990)
The first two Godfather films are undeniable classics. Given how the first two are often hailed as some of the best movies ever made, The Godfather saga could have wrapped with Part II and no one would have complained.
But sixteen years after Part II came Part III, and no one seemed to care for it. It grossed just $136 million and received comparatively mild to poor reviews. Still, it's a pretty solid and well-crafted movie, but it unfortunately pales in the shadow of two cinematic legends.
OVERRATED: Scarface (1983)
Is Scarface a classic? Ask different people and you may receive different responses. To some, it's a classic that gleefully leans into its more outlandish and ridiculous aspects. To others, it's a little too outlandish and ridiculous to be taken seriously.
It wants to be an epic gangster saga, but it's little more than a glorified action movie with some of the most famous depictions of violence ever committed to film. It also runs far too long, and Al Pacino's overacting may prove too tiresome for some viewers.
UNDERRATED: Road To Perdition (2002)
Road to Perdition is never really talked about when it comes to the great gangster dramas. It's more of a revenge thriller than gangster drama, as it sees a mob enforcer searching for the person responsible for killing his family.
But if the story is a little generic, then the strong performances from Tom Hanks and Paul Newman, the gorgeous cinematography, and the relentlessly somber tone help elevate Road to Perdition.
OVERRATED: Casino (1995)
Audiences had high expectations going into Casino, as Scorsese and his team looked to capitalize on the wild success of Goodfellas. Unfortunately, the team fell a little flat with Casino. Despite containing many of the same elements, Casino couldn't quite recapture the magic.
The story and editing aren't as air tight, the pacing is all over the place, and the plot retreads familiar ground. Casino is a good movie, but nowhere near as good as it should have been.
UNDERRATED: Miller's Crossing (1990)
When it comes to the great Coen brothers movies, Miller's Crossing is often ignored in favor of more popular works like Fargo and No Country for Old Men.
Nevertheless, Miller's Crossing is a fantastic gangster drama with stylistic elements of neo-noir and superb performances from the likes of John Turturro and Steve Buscemi. While a box office bomb of the time (grossing just $5 million), Miller's Crossing is now a cult, if vastly underappreciated, classic.
OVERRATED: The Irishman (2019)
Many people wanted to like The Irishman, and it's possible that this desperate desire to do so clouded judgement. Like Casino, there's no denying that The Irishman is a well made movie. But, like Casino, it could have been far better than it actually was.
For all its bravura, the movie contained a lot of flaws, including the shoddy de-aging effects, the horrid pacing, and the extreme (and highly unnecessary) runtime. It's a long movie that didn't need or deserve its length. It's epic for the sake of being epic, not through any need of its storytelling.
UNDERRATED: The General (1998)
The General is an Irish gangster film that has seen very little attention outside of its native country, which is a shame since it's a movie fans of the genre will love.
The movie concerns real Irish mob boss Martin Cahill, who was given the nickname 'The General' by the media. The movie contains a stellar cast, including the always-great Brendan Gleeson as Martin Cahill and Jon Voight as Inspector Ned Kenny. It's a very raw film, owing to its minuscule budget, but a very good film nevertheless.
OVERRATED: The Untouchables (1987)
Like Casino or Scarface, The Untouchables is one of those gangster movies whose status as a classic remains questionable. It should have been much better than it actually is, containing a great cast, an assured director, and a thrilling, can't-mess-it-up real life story about the downfall of Al Capone.
However, some questionable directing, music choices, and acting bring The Untouchables down to "pretty good" territory. It's not the gangster classic that many claim it is, despite some moments of undeniable entertainment.
UNDERRATED: A History Of Violence (2005)
Following The Lord of the Rings, Viggo Mortensen decided to forgo giant Hollywood blockbusters in favor of more subdued character studies. A History of Violence is one of them, as Mortensen stars as a retired hitman who draws attention from and is subsequently targeted by the Philadelphia mob.
It is a horrifically violent movie, as most of the violence is portrayed in a realistically grisly manner to hammer in the brutality of such a lifestyle. Those who can look past the gore will find a movie well worth appreciating.
OVERRATED: Carlito's Way (1993)
The third Brian De Palma film on this list, Carlito's Way sees De Palma and Al Pacino reuniting for his cult gangster classic about a reformed criminal being pulled back into The Life. Despite being a cult classic and enjoying legions of fans who defend its quality, Carlito's Way rightfully earned lukewarm reviews upon release.
Despite containing strong performances and some great set pieces, Carlito's Way is an instantly forgettable film that is less than the sum of its parts. If you've seen a gangster film about the hardships of being in and getting out of The Life, you've seen Carlito's Way.