Martin Bradley Abel Ferrara's masterpiece is in the same genre and the same class as DePalma's "Scarface". Christopher Walken, (superb, as always), is the titular "King of New York", a major drug dealer who wants to use his ill-gotten gains for more altruistic purposes, as in building a children's hospital. but the police and most of his associates don't see things his way.This was as close to a mainstream movie as Ferrara ever made though the somewhat unusual story-line and treatment may not be quite what you would expect. This is a gangster movie that sits somewhere between the art-house and the multiplex. It's also the most visually intoxicating of Ferrara's films; it's got a sheen to it that you don't usually associate with this director and it has one hell of a car chase and gun battle in the rain. It's also got the starriest of his casts; apart from Walken there's David Caruso, Laurence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes, Giancarlo Esposito and a terrific Victor Argo. Mainstream or not, the film has settled into major cult status and as such is regularly revived.

Jorn Truyen Frank White is a ruthless, almost psychopathic gangster who is just released from prison. Gradually, he establishes himself as King of New York, by, quite simply, wiping out all of his enemies, black as well as white, on both sides of the law. Abel Ferrara's crime drama features Larry Fishburne as leader of a black gang, and David Caruso and Wesley Snipes are cops willing to risk all to bring down White.As far as the acting goes, this is not a bad flick. Christopher Walken was made to play White (cf. his cameo in True Romance), and he delivers it brilliantly with his typical combination of zany quirkiness and deadpan expressions. Fishburne also holds his own with his magnetising and funny performance. These gentlemen add some extent of emotional depth to the film, however to little avail. The rest of the characters are mostly flat characters. This fact, in combination with unsurprising and illogical plot twists, result in a frustrating experience. Indeed, the hard-nosed cops make strange decisions, and the 'rules' of organised crime, if you have watched mafia films or 'The Sopranos', seem to be totally neglected. Therefore, considering the cast and the outset, I weep for the movie that could have been.

housecountrywife I give the title "King of Gangster Flicks" for many reasons.... no spoilers.First off, find the DVD release of this film, on VHS the quality of picture was rather poor (very dark). this stands right next to Scarface as it's ugly yankee twin brother .. Cocaine is visible in actor's noses, most of the characters in the movie are overly vulgar and hostile , with a rather unattractive cast. it's a straight cold blooded gangster film that makes many others pale in comparison.Fishburne's character is best described as a nightmarish cartoon, Caruso is a vigilant maniac with a witty sense of humor... Walken delivers as usual

LeonLouisRicci This is most likely Director Ferrara's most accessible Movie. Most of his Films are so quirky, offbeat, and personal with an Art-House/Grindhouse dichotomy that doesn't set to well with casual Movie goers. This one, and perhaps Bad Lieutenant (1992), are Crime Thrillers that call in the masses and give them enough style and grit to garner reluctant approval.But not everyone was entertained. Initially this was a dismissed and protested Movie called trashy, indulgent, and reprehensible. That's what made it the Cult Movie it is today. The over abundance of style and uncompromising, lurid appeal that has a staying power and is unforgettable.There is a metaphorically alluring Character in Frank White (is that name Black Enough For Ya) who is a pale-faced, monstrous, Vampyric Robin Hood as charming as the Devil himself. Like Jesus, he hangs with the dregs, in the bad part of town, but can be found at the Plaza Hotel planning his take down of the worst of the worst. Rival Gangs and crooked, selfish Politicians (Money Changers).This is a Great Neo-Noir that exudes an atmosphere of dark blueness. There is virtually no sunlight in this story of Under Worldliness and it has a nightmarish template of Violence, Decadence, and some Dark Philosophy delivered from a likable chilling Gangster.