The Score by Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro, acting as a thief. It is not the only movie that Robert is acting as a thief, what is wrong with this guy.

Robert DeNiro, as usual, makes the acting profession look as easy as a stroll down 5th Avenue, with yet another winning performance in "The Score" -- a crime saga that's definitely worth a look.You might find yourself moving closer and closer to the edge of your seat as this film's suspenseful climax slowly approaches. I think Director Frank Oz does a good job of gradually building the suspense as the movie progresses.Edward Norton, who has a "double" role (of sorts) in the movie, also gives a knockout performance. I found it worthwhile to replay several of Norton's hilarious scenes while he was in character as the half-witted janitor's helper.And I really liked Marlon Brando in this film. The then-76-year-old Brando, who portrays the slightly-quirky "Max", isn't too "heavy-handed" here; and comes through with a couple of knee-slapping lines of dialogue to boot during his brief amount of screen time.The DVD of "The Score" offers up mighty fine video and audio quality. The 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen picture looks just about perfect to my eyes.Extra Features include a "Making The Score" featurette (which lasts 12:25). This is a fairly standard Making-Of program (but still nice to have on the disc), with a few behind-the-camera glimpses of the actors at work.There are also three pieces of "Additional Footage" (total run time for these segments amounts to 7:58). The first one is extremely intriguing. It's a completely uncut, uninterrupted piece of film (5:05 in length) featuring Robert DeNiro and Marlon Brando discussing the heist and DeNiro's price for pulling off the job. We see three versions of this scene within this one single unbroken strip of film -- each of which is slightly different from the others, with these two great acting legends improvising a lot of the dialogue along the way. And each one of these differing "takes" is perfect. They never blow a word in any of the versions. The first version shown is the one that ended up in the final film; but the other two are just about as good (with Brando's rather racy remark in the last take being laugh-out-loud funny).The other two items listed under "Additional Footage" are alternate takes from two scenes in the film.Other DVD bonus materials include a Director's Commentary Track and the Theatrical Trailer."The Score" boasts of three generations of acting talent coming together on the same movie -- a movie whose cast and story are both equally up to the task of entertaining anyone who pops in this DVD.

Great DVD thank you

In THE SCORE, Robert De Niro stars as Nick Wells, an expert thief who specializes in high-stakes robberies but keeps a low profile. Marlon Brando, as Nick's long-time friend Max, lures Nick back into the game for one last score. This time, there's an inside guy: Edward Norton starring as Jack Teller. Jack is a very intense guy, very capable and demanding. Nick is coldly cautious, owns a jazz club and is entering into a serious relationship with what looks like the love of his life. Max is also deep in debt to deadly bookies. While Nick is ready, willing and able to step away from the caper, he can't quite do it while leaving his long-time friend to twist in the wind. So Nick risks all, stepping into the lion's mouth with a young, hardheaded thief, putting love in the balance and sticking with the friendship. Nick is also breaking one of his cardinal rules by stealing inside his own town.With dozens of movies behind him, ranging from comedies such as MEET THE PARENTS and ANALYZE THIS to tense, gritty urban pieces like A BRONX TALE, HEAT, and CASINO, and action adventure movies like 15 MINUTES, RONIN, and MIDNIGHT RUN, Robert De Niro has developed a captivating stage presence that often transcends character and plot. Marlon Brando needs no introduction after having starred in THE WILD ONE, ON THE WATERFRONT, ONE-EYED JACKS, and THE GODFATHER. Edward Norton has made his chops in PRIMAL FEAR, FIGHT CLUB, and AMERICAN HISTORY X. Frank Oz, the director, has been responsible for THE DARK CRYSTAL, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, and WHAT ABOUT BOB? Interestingly enough, Oz is also the voice of Miss Piggy of THE MUPPET SHOW and Yoda of STAR WARS fame.The pacing of the movie was good and kept the viewer engaged with the various aspects of the heist. Edward Nortan played a tough character that carried a dark edge with him constantly. Robert De Niro came across naturally, as always--making him one of the favored multi-tasking actors such as Gene Hackman and Michael Caine that always deliver in whatever capacity they sign on for. The actual robbery itself was done extremely well, moving all the various components of the plot constantly without letting go a single tense angle.With all the talent available for the movie, the viewer has the right to expect a little more from the performances. Brando and De Niro turn in solid performances, but a viewer might wonder how differently the movie might have played if Brando's role had been somewhat larger. Norton did admirably, playing off both powerhouses and carrying his own in the scenes. Angela Bassett was almost wasted in her role as Nick's girlfriend, but she provided Nick an anchor. Norton's character might have been fleshed out a little better if more of his personal life was revealed. Still, he did a fantastic job acting as Brian, the night janitor at the Customs House.THE SCORE plays as a riff that most caper movie watchers have seen a number of times before. There's always another story about a thief about to put his business behind him, except he can't get past the temptation of one more big haul. Despite the familiarity of the plot line, THE SCORE is definitely worth watching. People who have enjoyed THE HEIST, SWORDFISH, and OCEAN'S ELEVEN will find much to enjoy with this DVD offering.

I missed "The Score" when it was released probably because I thought Robert DeNiro would not be wise too soon after the smash "Heat." I was wrong. This is a classy, caper movie done brilliantly. In fact, this is a logical film, paring, if you will of "Heat," if you are saddened to see DeNiro go down. The casting is near-perfect. The cinematography is a wonder to behold with the interiors shaded, yet lit. What a bonus to find Brando still on his feet, playing a Sidney Greenstreet here. In this story, Nick Wells (DeNiro) must team with a brash, cocky, new-comer Jack Teller (Edward Norton) for Wells' last score. Several times Wells wanted to bail out but persisted. There are complications to this caper unforeseen, unless you are professional in your talent. Is there going to be a double-cross? Does love mess things up? Nick Wells owns a Jazz club and has a girlfriend (Angela Bassett) all lined up but that isn't a certainty either. The direction by Frank Oz keeps things well-paced from start to finish. If you, too, pay attention until the end you are rewarded, grasshopper!