Empire
Empire
R | 06 December 2002 (USA)
Empire Trailers

A big time drug dealer Victor Rosa is looking to get out of the game and sees his chance with a big deal with a new friend who happens to be a Wall St. stockbroker. Thinking this will be his chance to go out on top Victor soon finds out that he has been double crossed and his last option is to get revenge.

Reviews
Jeanskynebu the audience applauded
Develiker terrible... so disappointed.
Softwing Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??
Brennan Camacho Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.
SnoopyStyle Victor Rosa (John Leguizamo) is a drug dealer in the South Bronx. He's made a lot of money with his crew Jimmy, Chedda, and Jay. He calls his area and his product Empire. He gets into a feud with a neighboring rival. His girlfriend Carmen goes to college with Trish (Denise Richards) who introduces them to her Wall Street banker boyfriend Jack (Peter Sarsgaard). Jack offers Victor an investment opportunity which requires him to get a loan from his drug source La Colombiana (Isabella Rossellini).Leguizamo is trying to be hard and he's trying too hard. The narration tries to be hard-boiled. There is a lot of trying but a lot less succeeding. Writer/director Franc. Reyes is trying to mimic better gangster movies. There are ways to make this work but Reyes doesn't have it at this point.
kalavacharla-kc When I started this movie I had no idea this movie would be that good. And I got that impression because it was rated 5.9 at IMDb where as stupid movies like Long Kiss Goodnight and Time Machine are rated better. The storyline is well built and depiction of how illegit people make and save money,how they fear the system of banks , police etc is wonderful. The narration is good and steady with the movie. This movie also shows how a person can get blinded with thirst of money and the character "Carmen" is a very good example of a simple and perfect woman. A woman who is plain at heart, looks at the quality of people than superficial things. I think people should gather a lot from this character than some woman who dates million guys and still is worried about her shoes or a woman who tries to travel around the world to find herself and criticizes other cultures and places. Carmen also gives an example of how much woman would love when she sincerely loves someone and how she can forgive and forget. The lead role, Victor is a perfect example of people involved in things that are really messed up. His state of confusion, narcissism and insensibility is amazingly screen played. The most touching scene is when he actually realizes the truth about life and especially about the kind of life he lives. An amazing movie, director puts you glued up to our seat for the entire movie although as the story unfolds, it might get too easy to comprehend. A beautiful story and wonderful direction but to me it is too straight forward for movies like this and this is the only reason why I had to rate it 9 or else it would have been an 10. Overall, worth watching it and kudos to everyone.
hbert If the answer is yes, don't listen to this one. Every aspect of the story is the same, and as you can imagine it's not as good as the original.If the answer is no, don't listen to this movie. Go and rent Carlito's way. The story is the same but, in this one, the director and the actors are great. In fact, it's a classic. Don't loose your time and/or money on a fade copy.It's a 5 out of 10 for the movie itself, but because it's a copy, and I don't think it's mention anywhere, and it brings nothing new, except refreshing the pictures, it worth 2 out of 10.
Optimo Although I am a fan of the leading cast, I may not have seen it if not for the fact that I grew up with Carlos Leon-the now famous, or rather, infamous "donor" of Madonna's (and his) first child, who plays Hector, and as a rival drug dealer gets it between the eyes.It's hard to suspend your disbelief when you know the guy, but even so, it worked for me-and for that reason. As a former city slicker, graffiti artist, general street punk, and now screenplay writer wannabe, I understand why critics and members here alike, took a stab it the flick. It was obviously low budget-but that isn't a bad thing, and it was well executed for the budget. Reyes gets my full respect for writing it-and for a new kid on the block, hit the street running. Sure, it's been done in one way or another, but most things have. The key to a film like this is that it's always new to some degree because every thug that strives to get out of the ghetto is still a different person, even if he goes about it in a way that isn't entirely unique. I went to Music and Art High School in Harlem, and being half Cuban and half white put me at odds with some ballbusters there. I know what a subway smells like in the heat of the summer as the stench of urine makes it's way up my nose, and what a loaded gun feels like to my face. I've puffed blunts before the terms was commercially known. This is why I give The Writer/Director 2 thumbs up. Because I also Grew up on the upper west side with my father in a doorman building, lurking in the streets uptown was my choice for thrill seeking. I can see why some mainstream white audience took potshots at this film, but they don't REALLY know the score. As someone who has some REAL stories to get out there myself, I hope to follow along the REAL VIBE. Sure, I know that I've got to be original and throw a few twists, but films like this will always have stereotypes because they do exist. It's cliché' cause it's true. My films will have a couple of strong stereotypes ... of course, and that's OK, it's about the struggle of the character, and the process of bringing it out in a way that does NOT require suspended disbelief. Keep it real.