Review of Gangster Squad (2013) by Molly K — 17 Jul 2013

Despite the beautiful costumes and fascinating peek into a beloved era, the only truly interesting part of the film is that it's based on a true story. Each of the main characters are very well acted with the exception of Grace Faraday (Emma Stone). Although Stone possesses all the looks the role demands, she noticeably lacks the depth that this character could have brought the cliché love story between the characters of Grace Faraday and Sgt. Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling). Sean Penn as antagonist Mickey Cohen was a feat of genius. The man steals every scene he's in and seems to contain so much depth that perhaps he explains what happened to the depth of most other actors- Penn simply stole it.

There is almost a moral dilemma present except that the question of how to fight evil is quickly answered: with an excessive amount of destruction and violence. The team of protagonists lead by Sgt. John O'mara (Josh Brolin) is full of the "good guy"-ness that must be the only possible trait that could conquer this story's "bad guy"-ness of Mickey Cohen's lot complete with cops and judges that pledge allegiance to Cohen's evil. With the exception of motivation and allegiance, the good guys and bad guys alike shoot, blow up and generally destruct the 1950's LA area nearly equally.

Sure, a few good men die. Sure, the film is based on a true story and that's neat. However, the special effects, editing and amazing actors still couldn't move beyond the greatest problem: it's still just a manly-man's film about the "good guys" winning- even though they do so by acting almost exactly as the enemy. Gangster Squad is definitely entertaining, but unsurprising.