Ridley Scott is back with a gangster epic, the story of Frank Lukas and his Harlem heroin empire. This is a true mafia tale, where the good guys are few and far between. As our main good character, Russell Crowe plays Detective Richie Roberts. One of the few honest cops in the districts. As he unravels the crime network, Richie become Lukas’ nemesis. Frank Lukas, on the other hand, starts off as mob boss Bumpy Johnson’s assistant. When Bumpy suffers a heart attack and dies, Frank is on his own. He ruthlessly overcomes his rivals, and brings his family in from North Carolina. Thus creates a mafia in his own right.

Frank, excellently played by Denzel Washington, is clever, and sees himself as a businessman. He never seek attention, and the origins of his product Blue magic, is an enigma to Richie and his investigators. The hundred percent pure heroin is imported from Thailand, with the help of US soldiers stationed in Vietnam. Nobody else can offer this quality on the streets, and Lukas also lower the prices, much to the irritation of the Italian families.

Frank is shrouded in mystery, but as time goes by, small errors helps to expose his syndicate. Still, Detective Richie Roberts has many problems, not least with threatening cops that will protect their cut of the action.

Scott has made an intense and exciting thriller, much in the vein of Coppola’s Godfather trilogy. As always, the plot establishes itself slowly, and many characters are introduced along the way. But you never loose interest, and the plot thickens all the way, until a breathtaking climax. The movie is believable, as it’s based on actual events – and credit goes to Washington and Crowe. Both seasoned actors, and among the best of their generation.

Another perfect installment within the genre, and the best cinematic experience in a long while. 9/10