The Many Saints of Newark

Ok wow, that was a packed 2 hours, I can hardly remember the start.

So I am a Sopranos super fan, you could of had impressions of characters for 2 hours with David Chase attached to it and I'd of given it 10/10. But I'll try to be a bit objective and judge the movie on its own merit as really this isn't the Sopranos.

First off fantastic performance from Alessandro Nivola as Dickie Moltisanti. On the character himself, he's a bit of a Tony, a complex personality, a soft side, tries to do a good deed but in reality he's a murderous sociopath, who just like Tony has the charm you cant help but root for. We didn't really know too much about Dickie from the Sopranos so Chase had a blank slate to work with and I thoiught he did great.

Young Anthony Soprano - I've gotta say I absolutely loved this performance. I hear people say hes not believable as a young Tony, but they are totally missing where we are in the stage of his life. This is 20 years before the series, he's not your typical mobster, he went to college for a bit and wanted to be a footballer before he went full time mafia. There is many moments where he displays Gandolfini's mannerisms, facial expressions and its undeniable that the actor is his son. No one else could of pulled this role off.

Supporting cast - this is where if your a fan of the series you are going to feel left down. They are just kind of there in the background, especially Paulie and Pussy adding little to the story. As a fan all you'll want is a scene an extended scence of the characters sitting around with just some great quotable dialogue but it never comes, there is just too much going on for development of other characters. The potrayal of Silvio, if you want an impression is spot on and over the top if anything and just turned into a comedy act, the cinema was in raptures of laughter everytime he appeared on screen. I much prefered the lighter, newer twist on Junior and Paulie. The exception is the potrayal of Livia Soprano, a real high point, we all know Vera Farmiga is great actress but she just totally captured the insane personality of her and you were like "yes that is absolutely Tony's mother".

Fan Service - Chase gave fans plenty of easter eggs where you will grin like a cheshire cat where memorable moments from the series are recreated or played out. And that twist at the end has me thinking of what if Tony had known what really happened to Dickie? My jaw was literally on the floor when that was revealed.

I would love to meet someone who isnt familiar with the Sopranos, watched this and what they thought of it as a standalone film. My opinion would be not much to be honest, there is just too much going on, too many characters that add nothing to the film, unmemorable diagloue and for a mob film that's a real black mark, considering how quotable classics like Goodfellas, Casino etc are.

I would love to see a series come out of this, Chase has created the world again but for a guy jumping to the big screen he just has too much tell for 2 hours. I don't see it happening but you never know and I presume you wouldn't be able to get all this cast back for it.

Overall, an enjoyable 7.5/10

We even got to see Johnny Boy walking Tippy! I loved that minor detail.

On another note, I read an interview with Chase and he said he is very interested in doing a sequel to this prequel, filling in the gaps of the rest of Tony's story up to the series timeline. Just when I thought I was out again.....

I thought it was grand - enjoyable for a Sopranos fan, but I would love to see what someone who had never seen the show thought. The beginning was a bit all over the place (introducing the characters, but it felt a little bit like hand-holding), what seemed like a part that would be a major crux of the show turned out to be completely pointless, and the reveal was a bit meh, even for a Sopranos fan (I can only imagine what a non-Soprano fan would've thought).

A lot of the characters only make sense as characters if you're a fan of the show. There was nothing to add to Paulie, Pussy, or Sil (except Sil becoming even more of a caricature than, tbf, he was in the show anyway).

Anyone care to comment on the extra scene during the credits? I'm assuming I'm missing some nod to the show?

That's the thing, though - I'm not sure it can stand on its own, but would be very interested to hear people who have never watched the Sopranos and what they think of it.

I don't think the film can stand on its own, it's not particularly memorable, especially the dialogue. It hits a note with a Sopranos fan as they know the supporting story and cast. The Dickie moltisanti story is pretty much a mystery to sopranos fans though, all we really knew from the series was how he was killed. So for a non sopranos fan they can watch it without having to watch the series but I just don't think it's interesting enough.

Fair enough, I liked it, each to their own.

It's a though ask making a movie based on a great show in fairness, they did a better job than I thought they would.

Any chance of a Wire prequel? Omar's story?

I wasn’t mad about it. Some of the fan service stuff made me cringe and I could see it coming a mile off ie “ your sisters c*%t “ and “ he would never make varsity “. Paulie painting his nails and Silvio in general !

An actor with literally a fraction of I mean the minutest of acting experience....not great casting...Michael Gandolfini knew his father, the actor, he didn’t know Tony Soprano... so pointless... get in an actor ffs

Keir Gilchrist

Ezra Miller

Both I think mid 20’s younger looking and have a ‘young Tony’ look... and have received critical acclaim for everything they’ve done so far.

First trip to a cinema since before lock down so first things first: The big seats and acres of leg room (I'm talking one of the smaller Savoy screens) are TERRIFIC!! But of course, the ticket prices have to go up to offset the smaller numbers. We went to a matinee showing and there were only two other punters in the room. Definitely the way to watch movies.

As a big Sopranos fan I left feeling.....meh. What was the point to it all? Yes it's fun to spot the younger versions of the regulars. Silivo's silly walk, teenage Tony's blond girlfriend (that HAS to be Carmella....it is!) but on only one viewing you forget who's who after the initial introduction. (Were ALL the fat guys the young Pussy Bompensiero?)

I can't imagine anyone who is not familiar with the Sopranos series making head or tail of this. I'm glad I saw it, as a Sopranos fan. But it's not even as good as El Camino, the Breaking Bad prequel. Take that whichever way you please!

I'd give it a generous 5.5/10

Like others I thought the first 40 mins or so was a bit all over the place, but it settled and was a good watch - a plot eventually emerged. I'm really not sure how non-Sopranos fans would think of it but AS a fan I can't make that call.

It's on HBO Max so available on the small screen to those who can access right now

As a Sopranos fan I loved it . Went with OH and a young, new recruit to the fanclub after he binge watched during lockdown ( what can I say , he got " an education"!)!

I found it meandered a bit before it really got into it , but loved Nivolla as Dickie Moltisante , the Italian mistress , and Vera Farmiga as Livie . Oh and Eric Stoll , as Junior whom I hate .

Michael Gandolfini was amazing in the role of Tony as was the younger kid , totally believable and his eyes and smile and the hatch of him , were so like his dad . Think they made the right choice there .

Disappointed that Carmella only got an intro but hopefully they will come back with another prequel with more of her and Tony .

The other characters were just padding and comedy really but that is all they were inthe series too.

Would watch another happily , or a series about young Tony . But as fans of such a great series we are hooked already of course.

Don't know what non fans would think of it, but who cares , its 8 / 10 from me and mine .