Based on a true story, “American Gangster,” directed by Ridley Scott, tells us the story of the infamous heroin dealer Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) and his rise to power in the 1970s after his employer and mentor Bumpy Johnson dies.

Lucas prides himself on being the first dealer ever to sell pure heroin. His product, “Blue Magic,” floods the streets of New York and begins to spread out into surrounding areas.

Authorities don’t know who this new dealer is, and they hire Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) to track him down and arrest him. Roberts is already personally attached to the case after his former partner overdoses on “Blue Magic.” Roberts is also one of the few honest cops left in the city determined to uphold the law. The question is can Roberts find out who this new dealer is and bring him to justice?

“American Gangster” has become one of my favorite films of all time. I was shocked when Washington and Crowe were not nominated for Oscars this year. Overall, the performance by the entire cast was amazing.

Scott takes the audience back in time with his style of filmmaking. His direction and camera work are incredible, especially the scene when Lucas and Roberts meet for the first time.

I recommend this movie to anyone who hasn’t seen it. To fans that have already seen the film, I recommend the unrated, extended version DVD. It’s packed with bonus features, deleted scenes, and an alternate opening and ending.

Rating: 4 out of 4