Review of Gangster Squad (2013) by Jc E — 17 Jun 2013

Conceptually, this film had potential. Even after the first trailer, there was a glimmer of prospect. With a cast that featured the likes of Josh Brolin (Men in Black 3), Ryan Gosling (Drive), the beautiful Emma Stone (The Amazing Spider-man), and the overrated Sean Penn (The Tree of Life), the movie looked good on paper and screen.

Then Aurora happened, and studio executives freaked. The trailer featuring a gang shoot-out in a theater was pulled, the film was re-cut so as not to offend anyone, and the release date was pushed. Essentially, Aurora killed this movie.

However, upon seeing the final version of the film, it's no real surprise that it was dead on arrival. It plays out exactly as you might expect it, and even with a game cast that also featured the talents of Nick Nolte (Warrior), Robert Patrick ("True Blood"), and Giovanni Ribisi (Ted), it basically made it politically correct by including characters played by the overused Anthony Mackie (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) and the hit-or-miss Michael Pena (End of Watch).

Gosling's character is annoying, and Stone's character makes no sense. Brolin as a lead was the wrong move, and Penn is, well, Penn. It's just kind of a dud in general. It's violent and profane, but nothing memorable happens.

If you were expecting the 40s version of 'The Departed', you'll be sorely disappointed. Even if Aurora hadn't happened, and studio executives hadn't kowtowed to emotions, there probably wouldn't have been much here to salvage.