Many viewers have noted the reliance on familiar police story elements, and I can’t deny that observation. However, given that it’s presented as neo-noir, what some might consider clichés, I prefer to see as deliberate tropes—the filmmakers seem intent on incorporating as many of those conventions as possible. As a fan of the genre across different media, from books to comics to movies, I find this approach enjoyable. My main reservation concerns Travolta’s choices; he seems selective about his roles, sometimes delivering performances akin to his portrayal in *Gotti*. In this instance, his acting feels phoned in. Still, Gandolfini delivers a strong performance, Leto manages to act rather than simply being himself, and Hayek is exceptional, contributing to an overall satisfactory film experience. Gandolfini’s narration work is particularly noteworthy; it's disappointing that he didn’t go on to become a sought-after voice for documentaries, like Leonard Nimoy or Morgan Freeman. It’s certainly packed with tropes, but those aren’t necessarily negative when you anticipate a film embracing them.

Source on TMDB