Casino - The 'other' Goodfellas

Yes, it's impossible to review 'Casino' without mentioning Martin Scorsese's other gangster epic of the nineties, 'Goodfellas.' If you're feeling cruel, you could call the former a shameless rip-off of the latter (and substandard to boot).  However, for all 'Casino's' similarities, it's not without its (brutal!) charms.

Along with the same director (Scorsese), the two most memorable actors from 'Goodfellas' returns for this (non-sequel) 'sequel i.e. Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci.  And, once again, they're gangsters (only this time living it up in Las Vegas, rather than an east Coast US city) and, once again, they're pretty much the same characters, only with different names.  DeNiro is the more 'cool-headed' gangster who's trying to look legitimate, whereas as Pesci is, to be blunt, a complete psycho who doesn't care what he does, who he hurts and what effect it has on those around him.  The third cast member (and - sort of - replacement for Ray Liotta's absence to the line-up) is Sharon Stone, who, by her inclusion as the love interest for DeNiro (and maybe others - no spoilers here!) does go some way to moving 'Casino' out from under 'Goodfellas' shadow.

I think the main problem with 'Casino' is 'Goodfellas' itself.  If you've seen what came before then you'll be unable to help but compare the two. 'Goodfellas' is possibly the greatest gangster film of the nineties (and beyond?), therefore nothing is going to live up it - even something which is basically made by the same people.

If you like 'Goodfellas' (and, if you're into gangster films in general) then you should like 'Casino' - it's certainly a good film with excellent performances, so, if you don't mind the foul language and violence associated with the genre you should have a blast here.  Maybe the best way to enjoy 'Casino' is to watch it first, i.e. before 'Goodfellas' (if that's possible!)?  My main gripe was that I found there to be a little bit too much narration for my liking.  I know many films have a narrator who mainly opens and closes the story.  However, there were different characters narrating and it went on all the way through the film.  Anyway, that's a minor gripe.  Don't judge it too harshly or be put off with the - undeniable - similarities to 'Goodfellas' - it may not be 'Goodfellas,' but it is good.

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that