Review of Gangster Squad (2013) by Rudy M — 29 Jul 2014
In the late 1940's a gangster names Mickey Cohen is setting up a crime empire in Los Angeles. Seemingly protected by not only his own men but also cops and politicians in his picket, he seems untouchable. That is, until the chief of police enlists an off-the-books 'gangster squad' to deal with the situation.
This movie features an all-star cast. Penn is decent as Cohen and manages to give him character. But the others fall genuinely flat. This is not as much the actors' fault as it is the screenplay's. Nowhere do characters get enough time to develop.
The result is that you really don't get to know any of them and subsequently don't really care. There are some attempts at sub-plots and back stories, but they are so veil thin that they don't really add anything.
On the upside, the movie has a nice, consistent style and good effects. Director Ruben Fleischer's come a long way since his 2001 debut The Girls Guitar Club in that department. But that's not enough in this case. The movie and its promotion pretend to be the next big classic gangster movie. I'm sorry, but it's nowhere near good enough for that.
Pros: nice, consistent style and effects.
Cons: the story is not cohesive enough.
Verdict: Not worth the time.
This review of Gangster Squad (2013) was written by Rudy M on 29 Jul 2014.
Gangster Squad has generally received mixed reviews.
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