Gangster Squad Film Review

Gangster Squad - Film Review

Director:

 Ruben Fleischer

Writers:

Will Beall , Paul Lieberman (book)

Stars:

 Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone

Description:

Los Angeles, 1949: A secret crew of police officers led by two determined sergeants work together in an effort to take down the ruthless mob king Mickey Cohen who runs the city.

It was so long overdue that I watched this film, as it has the full package of a film that I love: violence; great acting; great setting and pretty good plot. 

I have to say I thought Sean Penn played his character brilliant.  He really captured the personality of Mickey Cohen and created a character which I ended up hating by the end, but not in a bad way.  It’s a very brutal plot line, with some good action scenes.  I mean don’t get me wrong, I love a good shoot out, but sometimes you do think, how can they miss him? Do you know what I mean?  I know its film, so I love believing it, but the “gangster squad” had quite a few lucky misses throughout the film, with only a few exceptions.  But I especially loved the fist fight at the end, thought it had a great build, and loved to finally watch Mickey Cohen properly box. 

I also liked the side plot of Jerry (Ryan Gosling) and Gracey (Emma Stone), it switched up the pace, from it always being about violence.  And I have to say I love them two together, and from them being in ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’ together (btw great film, if your into that sort of thing), to this, I am just going to carry on waiting for the next one. 

Overall, great acting, especially from Sean Penn and Josh Brolin, but a generally fantastic cast, and as Emma Stone had the only female prominent role, I thought she really held her own in a male dominant film. And to top it all off, it had some great fighting/shooting scenes.  I personally, really enjoyed watching it, however, if violence isn’t your cup of tea, I’d maybe skip this one.  But you should still watch it, purely for Ryan Gosling ;)