Carlito's Way (1993)

The critic finds it a compelling gangster epic with De Palma at his virtuoso best in suspenseful set pieces like the poolroom scene and Grand Central chase. Pacino and especially Penn deliver strong performances in a story of a reformed hood pulled back into crime.

Pacino and De Palma reunite for another crime-doesn't-pay tale with Carlito aiming to go straight after jail but pulled back in by his lawyer. The critic praises the smart script, De Palma's visual flair in New York settings, and thrilling set pieces alongside Pacino's restrained performance.

The critic views the film as a tragic, fatalistic crime story that stands out from De Palma's other work through its stylized genre treatment and emotional depth. He singles out the fluid tracking shots and dynamic movement that counterbalance the inevitable tragic arc.

The critic highlights dazzling technical set pieces like the poolroom scene and Grand Central chase but finds the rest a fairly standard tale of a crook trying to go straight. Pacino is highly watchable and Penn's performance as the corrupt lawyer is a standout surprise.

A straightforward 1930s-style gangster tragedy about a man doomed by society and his code, with Carlito trying to escape the rackets but unable to reconcile his past. The critic notes the film comes alive in its set-pieces, especially the Grand Central climax, and praises Pacino as a movie star while critiquing its length and showpiece nature.

The film is an enjoyable if formulaic gangster movie. Pacino plays the drug dealer who struggles to go straight.

The critic describes the film as a solid but unexciting mid-level thriller that stays safely in the middle of the road. It singles out the well-paced final half-hour for praise but faults the overall lack of energy and originality.

The review calls the film a conventional gangster story elevated by De Palma's thrilling visual set pieces, especially the climactic chase sequence. It praises the director's imaginative style while noting the narrative is schematic and predictable.

The critic finds the film strongest in its vivid evocation of Spanish Harlem's atmosphere and social clubs rather than in plot details or character depth. De Palma's bravura visual style and Pacino's charismatic performance are singled out as the main sources of entertainment.

The critic considers Carlito's Way superior to Scarface, possibly De Palma's best film, praising its more reflective tone, Pacino's nuanced performance, and De Palma's suspenseful direction in key sequences like the shoot-out and chase.

The critic sees the film as driven by a sense of impending doom, with Carlito's attempts to go straight inevitably pulling him back into crime. Pacino's restrained, world-weary performance is singled out for praise, along with De Palma's direction and the touching scenes with Penelope Ann Miller.