Departed, The (4K Ultra HD + Digital) [4K UHD]

He has made good musicals (New York, New York), surreal comedies (After Hours), satires (The King of Comedy) and biopics (The Aviator), but Martin Scorsese has never done better than the times he's dealt with life on the streets and gangsters. Mean Streets, Goodfellas and Casino (and, to some degree, Taxi Driver) are proof of that. It doesn't seem strange, then, that his finest film in over a decade (Goodfellas was released in 1990) sees him return to that familiar ground. With a few changes.The Departed, based on Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs (2002), is Scorsese's first gangster film not to feature Italian-American criminals. In fact, this film is set in Boston, where the Irish rule. One of these "godfathers" is Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), the man the State Police want the most. After years of investigation, they're finally getting close, thanks to undercover agent Billy Costigan (Leonardo Di Caprio). Because of his family (all Irish, all bad), becoming a member of Costello's crew isn't that difficult. Now all Costigan has to do is report to his superiors, Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Dignam (Mark Wahlberg), who will pass on the information to Ellerby's (Alec Baldwin) Special Investigations Unit. What they don't know is that Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), the most promising element of said unit, has been on Costello's payroll since he was 12. Soon enough, both cops and crooks become aware of the situation, beginning a manhunt that's gonna make the already fragile Billy even more nervous and Costello increasingly crazier.By moving from Hong Kong to Boston, Scorsese and screenwriter William Monahan have made the first step in ensuring this film will be quite different from its Chinese inspiration. Another significant factor is the running time: a mere 97 minutes for Infernal Affairs, 150 for The Departed. This is due to new characters (Dignam and Costello's henchman Mr French, played by Ray Winstone, were missing in the original) and subplots, such as the one concerning Madolyn (Vera Farmiga), a psychiatrist who gets emotionally involved with both of the moles. But the most crucial difference is in the depiction of the underworld: whereas IA was stylish without being excessive, Scorsese's vision comprises very colorful language (some insults are so creative one might expect Joe Pesci to show up) and, of course, buckets of blood, the last part of the movie proving to be particularly shocking. None of the scenes ever reach the gross-out level of Casino's head-in-the-vice scene, but in pure Scorsese tradition it remains unflinchingly violent (also notable is the music, perfectly setting the mood, scene after scene, alongside Thelma Schoonmaker's impeccable editing).Amidst these brutal surroundings, the director handles a spot-on cast: Baldwin, Sheen and Wahlberg (the latter finally back on form) make good use of their little screen time, Damon fine-tunes the edgier side he showed in The Talented Mr Ripley and the Bourne movies, and Nicholson, playing the villain again at last, delivers another OTT but classy turn (original choice Robert De Niro would probably have played the part with more calm and subtlety). A special mention is needed for Di Caprio: working with Scorsese for the third consecutive time, he has finally found a way to shake off his Titanic image, thanks to a vulnerable, gripping (and arguably career-best) performance.With its clever plot, excellent acting and expert direction, The Departed is without doubt the year's best film so far. If this really is going to be his last gangster film (he has said so), as well as his last studio-endorsed picture, Scorsese can be proud, given the masterpiece he has given us.

A good film starring Leonardo DiCaprio that has many twists and turns in the plot yet is comprehensible and kind of fun at the same time. The movie is a bit violent but pretty intriguing so the latter makes up for the former. I can't decide who is better: Matt Damon the policeman or Leonardo DiCaprio the one who is trying to get closer to the truth behind a mystery. Veteran actor and "The West Wing" star Martin Sheen co-stars in The Departed as the police captain or lieutenant or whichever rank he portrays in this film. 5/5 stars. Easily the best film of 2005, IMHO.

Very good movie, price is very good

Great performances from all, such a great film.

First of all, what a cast! I was so happy to see Ray Winstone! Jack Nicholson's acting was amazing! DiCaprio did a great job. David O'Hara was awesome! The gangster side cast was stellar both with the acting, believability, cast, dialogue and action!I could care less about Matt Damon and thought he acted more like a winy prick. Mark Walberg had some hilarious lines but also was a crybaby.Damon seemed very regressive, for a lack of better words. He was not really scary or intimidating. Damon in particular seemed to lack backbone or really convince me that he is a police officer or a mobster or someone that was at all intimidating, sharp, a go getter man's-man, type dude.. he reminded more of a frat boy out of his element. What was his motivation as a double crossing mobster and cop? They don't really define or give you closure on this in a believable way. I guess I was just wanting to see Damon in a storage unit, swimming in his ill-gotten hush money or have some major secret that was his motivator other than that he could not get an erection with a hot woman and lied to everyone about everything.Walberg comes off as a bit wavering at times but I assume that he offed Damon because of what ever DiCaprio had given the Therapist/ girlfriend to open.I enjoyed the story but it was almost too 'over the top' with the twists and turns, Greek tragedies, campy humor. As a story, it was great entertainment but just not as digestible as some of Martin Scorsese's other films.GoodFellas, this movie certainly was not. But it was fun. ...and I plan on watching it a few more times to look for more meaning, symbolism and hidden messages... which I think there was a lot of.... Why did the woman pull the dog away when Damon went to pet the neighbor's dog? The use of color/ lack of color was brilliant... the rat at the end must be a throwback to old gangster films.I know that I did not mention other actors names. Sheen played the role so straight and got it right. Baldwin was an other familiar type-cast actor that sort of mostly blended in.A great story of the Chicago and Irish mob/ law enforcement dynamic.

I love The Departed! Scorsese never ceases to amaze!