Part 1 review:

I don't say this lightly, but I think this might be (part 1 of) the best crime epic of the 21st century so far. When you look at the best gangster movies of the 20th century, it's not far behind those either (The Godfather, Goodfellas, Once Upon A Time in America etc).

It feels influenced by some American crime movies in some areas, but does its own thing with familiar tropes and beats, twisting them into something bold and original. It feels like it has influences, but never feels derivative or uninspired. At two and a half hours, the pacing is perfect, and I like how efficiently it sets up Part 2, which is even crazier and more eventful than the first.

Nothing else I've seen by Anurag Kashyap since has worked for me quite as well as this, but I do love revisiting Gangs of Wasseypur and getting more and more out of him. The first two times I watched it, I could follow it while being a little overwhelmed at times, but now I'm familiar enough with the story to keep up and fully appreciate it (and I also appreciate seeing it sow seeds that will sprout in Part 2).

Part 2 review:

This one picks up directly after the violent cliffhanger that ended Part 1, and as such, it really hits the ground running. Part 1 was a fast-paced film, but I think Gangs of Wasseypur Part 2 takes that fast pace to another level altogether. It's absolutely relentless, and most scenes last one or two minutes at the most (the more important ones naturally are more drawn-out, often to great effect).

Part of that faster, more frantic feel comes from how sprawling the movie gets. There are more side characters here who all get a good deal of screen-time, and while it's sometimes jarring to suddenly have new people introduced, I think it ends up working and coming together well. It also ties into the theme of this second part: the somewhat meta idea that everyone involved in the crime game in Wasseypur believes they're the hero of their own story, and that sense of ego or self-importance can often lead to one's downfall.

Speaking of downfalls: there's a lot of that here. There were plenty of deaths in Part 1 (and at least a couple you might not see coming), but Part 2 is ruthless, and so often, death comes so quickly - and to such major characters - that you almost don't believe it really happened. It drives home the violent world of the film, and makes the story constantly tense and suspenseful.

Great action, an interesting meta element, strong music, some much-needed (though dark) comedic relief, and consistently great visuals (the use of colour is phenomenal) leads to a great Part 2; one I think I like even more than Part 1. I'm always blown away every time I revisit Gangs of Wasseypur, and always find new things to like and appreciate. Each part forms a 5-hour-long whole that absolutely stands as one of the best crime films of the 21st century so far.