Since its 1999 premiere, HBO’s “The Sopranos” has remained one of the most critically-praised and popular series in the history of American television. Media outlets such as Rolling Stone have even gone so far as to refer to it as the best television program ever made. The show’s reigning popularity following its 2007 conclusion made it inevitable for a film spin-off to one day come into fruition. 

Fans were finally granted such a film through “The Many Saints of Newark,” a prequel which zooms in on the early years of “The Sopranos” protagonist Tony Soprano (Michael Gandolfini, “Cherry”). Soprano is depicted as a prodigal, troubled teen who gradually falls under the negative influence of his mafia-involved uncle, Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola, “The Red Sea Diving Resort”). The film is told from the perspective of Moltisanti, who expresses a desire for his nephew to not follow in his criminal footsteps.

The film’s ability to fully develop a pre-series Soprano is slightly hindered by the decision to make Moltisanti its protagonist. Moltisanti is, by no means, a bad character. His attempts to keep Soprano out of the mafia lifestyle make him a well-rounded, emotionally complex individual to follow. However, by placing a greater emphasis on him, the film sacrifices time which could be used to further explore Soprano’s change in personality and morals as he navigates his teen years.

The Many Saints of Newark” contains a well-assembled cast, featuring the likes of Ray Liotta (“No Sudden Move’”), Jon Bernthal (“Those Who Wish Me Dead”) and Leslie Odom Jr. (“Last Night in Miami”) as figures of Soprano’s past.  Though the involvement of big names contributes to the film’s marketability, they maintain a relatively low profile in comparison to Gandolfini, whose uncanny performance as Soprano perfectly emulates that of his late father, James Gandolfini (“Where the Wild Things Are”), who portrayed the gangster in the original series.

As a prequel, the story is tied to the constraints of only being able to progress up to where the original series began, and thereby does little to surprise viewers or elevate the gangster genre. This may be a forgivable flaw for fans of “The Sopranos,” especially if they are watching for the sake of nostalgia. However, those unfamiliar with the program may find themselves to be disappointed by its lack of ambition. The film, however, possesses a crucial strength in that it is accessible to viewers, regardless of exposure to the series.

In the spirit of other HBO products, “The Many Saints of Newark” does not hold back with its display of violence. This works greatly in its favor, as its more brutal moments prove to be the most exciting parts. Through the use of the 1967 Newark riots as the film’s backdrop, it contains a dark, gritty tone which helps it to maintain the spirit of past gangster films. Its historical context also allows for some interesting conflicts to arise; namely a racially-charged gang feud which persists throughout it.

Overall, “The Many Saints of Newark” does its job of continuing its predecessor’s legacy. Though it does little to bring anything new to the gangster genre, it succeeds in being a nostalgic film which surely will delight “Sopranos” fans alike. Pending its success, it could open the doors for more iconic series to be greenlit for film adaptations in the future.

Image from Warner Bros. Pictures via YouTube