The movie is called The Departed for a reason. Martin Scorsese’s epic, crime drama retells the 2002 Hong Kong action flick, Infernal Affairs, in a classical view of American mob culture. In Boston, a rat working for the Irish mafia, headed by Frank Costello, infiltrates the state police. What Costello, played by Jack Nicholson, doesn’t know is that the State Police has their own little vermin lurking around his headquarters; causing pressures to rise. In total fear and panic, both men fighting secretly for both sides try to figure each other out.

With most action films of today, people run from explosions, act in front of green screens and just talk smart. The stars of this movie include Scorsese’ favorite, Leonardo DiCaprio (who starred in previous Scorsese masterpieces, Gangs of New York and The Aviator), Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin and the infamous badass himself, Jack Nicholson. They all fought through the movie in a well-choreographed epic that left the adrenaline pumped audience in a devastating silence.

In The Departed, director Martin Scorsese digs deeper and deeper into the minds of the police officers and mobsters until there was nothing left but the fear of their own safety. The spine-tingling act done by Damon and DiCaprio to keep each other’s sides winning was exhilarating. The acting was real, and DiCaprio shows off one of his best characters portrayed yet, a meaty, on the edge loner getting his identity back.

A Second Opinion:Kevin Aquende

The movie-star coated and profanely flavored crime extravaganza “The Departed,” is the must-see movie of the year. A brainchild of Martin Scorsese’s genius, it will not disappoint.

The sheer star-power of its cast may mislead some people to believe it lacks content. To think that may be the biggest mistake made this season. Although some character roles were not well developed and left to weave in and out of pivotal scenes, the acting of Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio was more than enough to compensate.

Set in Boston, the cinematography flowed through derelict locations to grand police stations; it became as essential as the performers. Back stories of Irish immigrants were also well researched and built upon: a convincing story line. It is a thrilling action packed, crime drama, gingerly sprinkled with burlap sacks filled with nothing but violence. It is definitely worth the money and will probably exceed your expectations.