Directed with flair and lots of authentic flavor by Larry Cohen, "Original Gangstas"/"Hot City" is still little more than a reworking of "Death Wish 3" with an (almost) all-black cast. It's a strange movie: first it goes to great lengths to establish a realistic urban environment, and then undermines it with a cockamamie story that is completely un-realistic. The movie should have chosen one approach or the other. The stars are as engaging as ever (if a bit long in the tooth), but Richard Roundtree's fans will be disappointed with his very minor part. (**)
Review of Original Gangstas
