Gangster Squad

Gangster Squad is a neo-noir crime film by Director Ruben Fleischer that attempts to blend aesthetic appeal with intense mob action, set in late 1940s Los Angeles. The film follows LAPD Sergeant John O'Mara, who is tasked with assembling an off-the-books squad to dismantle mobster Mickey Cohen's empire by any means necessary. This premise provides a solid foundation for an action-packed two-hour experience, though the story itself does little to break new ground within the genre. The film's narrative suffers from shallow character development and pacing issues. With a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes, much of the character-building occurs offscreen, leaving later emotional and moral dilemmas feeling detached and less impactful. For instance, O'Mara is presented as a loyal, hot-headed, and determined protagonist with a military background, making him a strong central figure. However, the secondary character, Sergeant Jerry Wooter, suffers from underdevelopment despite having the potential for a compelling subplot—his arc is rushed and resolved in an uninspired manner. Similarly, the antagonist Mickey Cohen’s character is mostly delivered through exposition, which diminishes his depth as a menacing figure. While the ensemble cast boasts several prominent actors, performances are mixed. Sean Penn's portrayal of Cohen is criticized for being overly theatrical and at odds with the character's background. On the other hand, the stylized presentation of characters, resembling comic book figures, adds a layer of visual coolness to the film, complemented by a jazz and swing-infused soundtrack. However, this stylistic approach often veers into a territory that feels more nostalgic and quirky than authentic or gripping. With a substantial $60 million budget, Gangster Squad certainly carries a blockbuster appeal, but its execution reflects Fleischer's television background, resulting in moments of misplaced humor amidst otherwise ruthless mob action. Critics broadly denounce the film for its lack of cohesion and depth, though some audiences, particularly on IMDb, appreciate its entertainment value. Despite its flaws, Gangster Squad ultimately delivers a straightforward, action-driven crime story with a satisfying—if slightly disconnected—conclusion. The film offers a nostalgic and entertaining watch for viewers seeking casual fun on a relaxed Sunday afternoon. While it may not rival neo-noir classics like Chinatown or L.A. Confidential, it provides a blend of testosterone-fueled adventure and aesthetic appeal that can hold the attention of its audience.

Just give some stars for those amazing casts. Seems like all materials are right but not quite -maybe because of the amount of violence and how it's been showcased.

Gangster Squad really shows the different aspect of allegiance to the badge as the storyline isn't great but the acting makes it a good squad.

It's alright. Ever seen The Untouchables? Than you've seen this. Everything is just alright about it overall. They nail the 49' asetics, it's pretty simple to follow, and nothing is broken overall. Sean Penn as the villian suprisngly is just alright. He feels like he's trying to hard and not a natural bad guy. He never feels larger than life and a bit on the whiny side if anything. Gosling also is alright but man it feels like I'm never sure what his character is supposed to be. Sometimes he's the comedic relief, the best friend, other times he feels too soft spoken and borderline miscast, sometimes the main focus, and other times I don't even know. It feels like the plot would happen without him but he gets a big chunk of focus with Stone who also is just alright. The Squad is alright and doesn't get that much focus so they end up blending in despite being somewhat memorable ont heir own. Brolin is solid and the best thing in this. But there is large chunks where he just disappears and despite being setup as the main guy it feels like he 's only that maybe 50% of the time. The editing in this first half isn't that sharp either. The slow motion is a bit overused, it feels like stuff just happens a bit when hitting Cohen, and the way they get each member of the squad on at a time is sloppy. It does get better in the second half thank god. This did feel like in the middle it was going the wrong way and just meandering. The direction also isn't anything special. Main problem is the lighting is so dull and in lots of shots it's so dark you can barely see it. Basic camerawork also. The music is super boring and forgettable also. It sounds like every Hans Zimmer track you've ever heard. Most people should skip this and watch The Untouchables instead. Way better in every way.

Good cast, awful movie.

Reviews made me think to not watch it until one person said to not take it literally but somewhat of a comic book with all the posing & dialogue meant to be stereotypical of the genre. Yes "over the top" at times but done so deliberately. Just shift your mind from what you expect & enjoy the pulp fiction ride. Quality, classy...

I enjoyed it it had great acting and an amazing cast

Really underrated, Gosling and Stone have great chemistry but it's the support cast that brings this film it's charm.

Pretty good noir film with vibes that I loved and a cast that was definitely very strong...it bothered me that such a good film once again got such bad reviews...

Don't listen to the negative reviews. If you enjoy noirs, but also like a bit more action than I would definitely recommend this film!