Disappointing, underwhelming & lacklustre.
What a waste of great actors and 'story'...I was really hoping this movie would be a blast, the triumphant return to the universe we all love and admire...but now I understand that part of my disappointment is entirely my fault, coz I've set the bar too high when I shouldn't have.
For Sopranos hardcore fans as myself, this is straight up bad. For the normal folks, its just a below-average crime TV movie. A lose-lose situation from all angles.
The (few) good parts:
And the bad ones:
In terms of sequels/prequels, El Camino and BCS are still the best, which is yet another proof that Vince Gilligan is the best TV writer for the last 10 years and probably the next ten!
Davis Chase, in several interviews, alluded to the possibility of coming back for another one. If that's the case, please make it a series, even if its a limited one, coz this movie ain't no Sopranos...
What a waste of great actors and 'story'...I was really hoping this movie would be a blast, the triumphant return to the universe we all love and admire...but now I understand that part of my disappointment is entirely my fault, coz I've set the bar too high when I shouldn't have.
For Sopranos hardcore fans as myself, this is straight up bad. For the normal folks, its just a below-average crime TV movie. A lose-lose situation from all angles.
The (few) good parts:
- Vera Farmiga and Corey Stoll are absolutely the best of this movie. Farmiga perfectly encapsulates the hysterical bully temperament of Livia, while Corey low key plays Junior with flawlessness, the scene where he has the accident is pure gold! Every time one or both of them are on screen is a win in my books.
- The ambiguity of whether the scenes at the prison are real or product of Dickie's imagination is great.
And the bad ones:
- Silvio and Paulie's portraits are so cartoonish that it became cringey, forced and unnecessary.
- One reviewer here suggests to watch 'Down Neck', 'For All Debts Public and Private' and 'Kennedy and Heidi' beforehand for (quote) "full appreciation". Let me tell ya: you don't! The only thing learned from this movie is who killed Dickie, nothing else. It adds nothing to the Sopranos experience, at all. It's just a late 60s early 70s mafia TV movie situated in New Jersey. And even tho, there's no even enough mafia in it.
- Michael Gandolfini is ok, but with the hand he was dealt, it was impossible to win. Even with the physical resemblance and Tony's mannerisms he's incorporated in his performance, as a young actor, with his first major role in the industry, those were massive shoes to fill. To be honest, the role doesn't demands much from him and ultimately his performance feels flat.
- In the series, we are lead to believe that Dickie was this visceral and ruthless monster, but even after killing his own father and his 'stepmother-turned-goomar', I was more afraid of Jonny Boy and Hollywood Dick. I know he was supposed to be own 'Tony' for this journey, but Nivola is just too charismatic and in the end it feels Dickie is too.....nice?!
- The friendship/rivalry between Dickie and Harold could've been explored in a much better way, instead, it just feels rushed and thin.
In terms of sequels/prequels, El Camino and BCS are still the best, which is yet another proof that Vince Gilligan is the best TV writer for the last 10 years and probably the next ten!
Davis Chase, in several interviews, alluded to the possibility of coming back for another one. If that's the case, please make it a series, even if its a limited one, coz this movie ain't no Sopranos...