A celebratory exploration of the world's most famous melting pot, Sensational Cities: New York realizes the depth of life amongst Manhattan's towering mountains and within the flowing streets of the valleys below. Development of Dutch colonial New Amsterdam into the British renamed New York premises the blossoming of the harbor into a cultural center known for inspiring artists, as a center for international finances, and for representing the essence of being American. James Woods narrates the visualization of the culture, the struggles, the legends, and the history of the city, and insights are provided by Brian Dennehy, Janeane Garofalo, Donald Trump, Joan Rivers, Steve Allen, and Ed Koch. The history is made up of colorful stories of legendary heroes and scoundrels alike, and the film speaks of both the brilliance and the turbulence of life in New York at the turn of the 21st century.