I’m sharing my reviews at https://www.msbreviews.com if you are interested. With the release of Capone this week, I thought it would be a good time to revisit a classic from the late 1980s that also features Al Capone, this time played by Robert De Niro. One of my goals for 2020 is to review older films—classics I’ve never written about—and maybe even work through a director's filmography before their next major release. I’m also planning on reviewing earlier movies in franchises, like rewatching the original 1998 *Mulan* before the new live-action version comes out. I’d seen *The Untouchables* several times before, but it had been so long that it felt almost brand new; I didn't remember much of the plot. It was really enjoyable to experience such a great period gangster film again. The acting is superb across the board, and I wanted to start by commenting on how impressive the production values are for a movie from 1987. Everything from the set design to the action sequences feels authentic to Chicago during Prohibition. I appreciate the way the dialogue is presented; it’s not common these days to have extended conversations between characters without constant interruptions. Many directors now rely on quick, choppy lines instead. While I'm not always a fan of Brian DePalma—despite him having directed one of my all-time favorite action series (*Mission: Impossible*)—his camera work and framing are exceptional in this film. The camera effortlessly follows every actor’s movement, ensuring that each shot is impactful. The screenplay is very well constructed; whenever the movie seems to lose momentum, something significant happens – a thrilling action sequence, a plot twist, or a character's decision that creates suspense. As a result, *The Untouchables* remains consistently entertaining. The four members of the central group are all compelling characters, and their actors deliver outstanding performances—with one exception: Kevin Costner. I realize this might be an unpopular opinion, but I found Costner’s performance to be quite flat. He goes through dangerous situations, suffers losses, and even confronts Al Capone himself, yet his facial expressions remain largely unchanged throughout these scenes, and many others. While it was a pivotal film that launched him to stardom, I'm not the first person to notice his limited range in this movie. Still, it wasn’t distracting enough to prevent me from connecting with his character. The rest of the cast is excellent; Sean Connery truly shines as Jim Malone, bringing charm and humor to the role while also delivering powerful dramatic scenes when needed. A young Andy Garcia (as George Stone) demonstrates that he had the potential to become a great actor—which he certainly did—and Charles Martin Smith provides surprising wit as Oscar Wallace. My biggest criticism of the film is the limited screen time given to Robert De Niro’s portrayal of Al Capone. Of course, it's a story about those who brought down the infamous gangster, not a biography of him. However, it feels like a missed opportunity—not just for a phenomenal actor, but also for a potentially compelling character. Al Capone is depicted as a shrewd businessman and ruthless crime boss with a well-protected organization, yet he only appears in a handful of scenes, almost like a generic villain the heroes need to defeat. Those scenes are undeniably cool, but he doesn’t feel like the formidable threat that the film implies because we don't get to know Al Capone or understand how he wields so much power. Overall, *The Untouchables* remains remarkably strong even more than thirty years after its release. Beyond the authentic sets and costumes representing the Prohibition Era, Brian DePalma’s technically impressive camera work is a pleasure to watch. The lengthy, engaging conversations are enhanced by a remarkable cast (Connery stands out), despite Kevin Costner's somewhat limited emotional range. Even the action sequences from this 1987 film look better than many modern blockbusters. David Mamet wrote a well-structured screenplay with exceptionally compelling characters, and Ennio Morricone’s score is fantastic as well. However, both Robert De Niro and his character, Al Capone, are underutilized; especially the latter. For such an important figure who frequently alters the course of events, the lack of screen time doesn't allow viewers to understand his motivations or appreciate how much of a threat he truly represents. Nevertheless, it’s a classic that is worth revisiting, and I highly recommend it. Rating: A-

Source on TMDB