The statment 'don't believe the hype' was evidentally true in this epic wannabe. Set in lower Manhattan at the start of the 19th century, Gangs Of New York starts with one of the most brutal opening sequences Hollywood cinema has known (happy times for Vampirish viewers). The film tries to be too clever by incorporating violence, romance and a few moral issues in a lengthy 2.4 hours. Conclusion - a confused and average movie with a spectacular performance by Day Lewis.