I don't think it has much to do with the action found in
American Gangster (or lack of).
Imho I find it a lack lustre true crime tale. I mean yeah sure,
it's a story about hot shot big time drug kingpin Frank Lucas,
Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe are both renowned actors, but
beyond their qualities, this movie is just standard, mundane story
telling using traditional formula. There is so much more to Frank
Lucas. In terms of character studies, this one fails.
Also, audiences are denied the pleasures of decent on screen
chemistry (a proper cop and robber face off) between the two titans
until the very end of the show. Pivotal acting these two have been
proven to be capable of. Yet another true crime tale doesn't solve
any ideas or move anybody, it doesn't break any grounds.
Those familiar with the crime genre will even notice this exhausted
technique seen in films with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino (Heat in
1995), Tony Leung and Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs). Even for these 2
movies (I watched both last year) at least there is some sense to
the way it was told.
There are no more surprises to the methods Ridley Scott choose to
tell his stories. Why bother watching? Just rent lah. His movies
are always well sequenced, the editing is acceptable and the sad
part is, strong emotions in his characters never see light of day -
they sink beneath the grandeur of everything else his mind is busy
orchestrating (music score, cinematography, camera work, heavy
themes etc).
Not a worthy watch. Pretty disappointing for me as a movie goer.
Follows footsteps of too many other shows and the critical moments
are missed. 
