Movie review: Gangster Squad
IT'S easy to understand why critics are divided on Gangster Squad.
On the one hand, it's a slick crime drama that is wonderfully shot and edited.
But on the other hand, it doesn't give the majority of its A-list cast the chance to shine and is too patriotic to be a true LA noir flick, but too violent to be a mainstream caper like Ocean's Eleven.
The film dramatises the true story of a covert group of LAPD officers who were tasked with dismantling mobster Mickey Cohen's ever tightening stranglehold on post-war Los Angeles.
Josh Brolin is good enough as the ethical, if stubborn, war vet turned cop who is leads the group into the shady underworld of mob-run businesses.
Ryan Gosling is effortlessly cool as usual and Sean Penn is fantastic as the power-hungry Cohen.
Aside from the beautiful costumes, cars and sets, Gangster Squad's biggest asset is that it is based on a true story.
The only character not based on a real-life person is Emma Stone's Grace Faraday, who feels like she's thrown in just to pretty up what is otherwise a very macho, punch-throwing, gun-slinging movie.
The other main problem is that while it looks like the 1940s, Gangster Squad doesn't exactly feel like the 1940s.
It's not a true period piece, rather than a good guy versus bad guy story dressed up to look like it's in the 1940s.
There are a few cheesy lines, but there are a few good ones too amidst all the action.
Gangster Squad is entertaining as far as crime-fighting flicks go, but it just feels like more could have been done with such an excellent story and cast.
Gangster Squad
- Stars: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Michael Pena
- Director: Ruben Fleischer
- Rating: MA 15+
- Verdict: 3/5 stars
