Could have been much, much better. There's an interesting moral dilemma that runs through the movie with cops going far outside the boundaries of the law to get results, but it never delves into those dilemmas wholeheartedly. There are a few pieces of dialog to suggest that what the main characters are doing is essentially wrong however necessary, but decides to jump to the next shootout or chase scene before any deeper emotion arises. Many of the actors give wooden performances but probably none more so than Sean Penn as out-of-control mobster Mickey Cohen. Penn plays a violent, cursing psychopath with all the excitement of a cardboard standee of a mobster holding a machine gun.
At the beginning of the movie you can read the statement: "Inspired by true events". Well, it should have said: "Inspired by the far superior 'The Untouchables' ". I can't think of any other movie set in the 40s with such a generic look and it's probably due to the eye melting photography. Dull dialogue from beginning to the end, with none original characters and a couple of roles that could have easily been left out of the story. Some good acting and a few well directed scenes save this movie from being total garbage.
I know that this movie is a lot like the untochables, I never saw the untochables, looks like I'll have to see that movie.
Gangsar squad has a fantastic cast, good actors, the story is based on real events, which impresses me greatly.
Violence, humor this movie has a bit of everything.
3.5/5
This film was alright. Despite it being based on true events, it was a little too drawn out and the climax was expected, as was the ending. But throughout it contained specific details and characteristics that added to it's "gangster" element, and was visually pleasing (Ryan Gosling, mainly) but it lacked a strong plot line.
Given that director Ruben Fleischer’s only other well-known movie (I mean, does anyone even remember 30 Minutes or Less anymore?) begins with a zombie stripper’s breasts bouncing in slow-motion, I’m not sure who exactly felt he was the best choice to adapt Gangster Squad, a non-fiction crime novel about a very real L.A Police squad that stepped outside the law to act essentially as covertly sanctioned vigilantes to take down up and coming crime kingpin Mickey Cohen. I mean, especially given that these events really happened, you’d think the people involved in the production would want someone who could bring the most possible tact and realism to the story, otherwise something disastrous could happen, like someone’s granddaughter writing a viral blog post about how Hollywood turned her granddad’s life into an insipid popcorn movie with all the tact and realism of a Bugs Bunny cartoon and the movie overall being a disastrous failure both critically and commercially.
But someone behind a desk thought that was an acceptable risk and thank GOD they did, because Gangster Squad isn’t just an insipid popcorn movie, it’s the most entertainingly insipid popcorn movie in years. Due largely to the fact that nobody on the cast and crew seems to have any idea that what they’re making is basically a Sin City sequel in full color, and they’re all playing everything so adorably straight. It isn’t just camp, it’s the best kind of camp, the kind that has NO clue that it even IS camp. The whole movie plays out like a parody of itself, a laundry list of cliches and ham and it expects us to take it all seriously, which ends up making it honestly one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in years.
Read the full review here
http://www.forgetthebox.net/gangster-squad-unintentional-camp-at-its-finest/
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Comments 1 - 15 of 32
Aeon Rio
1. Emma looked fabulous2. Loved Josh Brolin
3. What the fuck was wrong with Ryan's voice?
4. I have no doubt about Sean's acting skill but he didn't look good in the role. Director's fault maybe?
Emiam
7/10Stylish true-based gangster movie. No masterpiece, but clearly exciting.
CynInFlicks
A mostly-cringey THE UNTOUCHABLES part two; I still can't be sure if they were making a parody or trying to be serious.Pete Concrete
Highly entertaining, a movie for true lovers of cinema! Penn was also good as the slighly cartoonish crime lord.lmkmoviemaniac
A standard Cops vs Gangster saga which entertains the action buffs. The generous star power in the movie helps.But it is template stuff which is predictable and can be seen just once.
The period detailing is good and the dedication to the city of Los Angeles in the end is a nice finishing touch.
DisneyStitch
Could have been much, much better. There's an interesting moral dilemma that runs through the movie with cops going far outside the boundaries of the law to get results, but it never delves into those dilemmas wholeheartedly. There are a few pieces of dialog to suggest that what the main characters are doing is essentially wrong however necessary, but decides to jump to the next shootout or chase scene before any deeper emotion arises. Many of the actors give wooden performances but probably none more so than Sean Penn as out-of-control mobster Mickey Cohen. Penn plays a violent, cursing psychopath with all the excitement of a cardboard standee of a mobster holding a machine gun.stexdo
At the beginning of the movie you can read the statement: "Inspired by true events". Well, it should have said: "Inspired by the far superior 'The Untouchables' ". I can't think of any other movie set in the 40s with such a generic look and it's probably due to the eye melting photography. Dull dialogue from beginning to the end, with none original characters and a couple of roles that could have easily been left out of the story. Some good acting and a few well directed scenes save this movie from being total garbage.lekast
when Sean Penn wanna be De Niro...it is a joke.meerkate
Penn as Cohen ruined the entire movie for me.Warrison
really enjoyed this. the main protagonist is a real piece of work.Earring72
This Untouchables wannabe was dissapointing. Looks great and some good action scenes but script was a let down. Despite all the mayhem, kinda boring.Joker of Gotham
I know that this movie is a lot like the untochables, I never saw the untochables, looks like I'll have to see that movie.Gangsar squad has a fantastic cast, good actors, the story is based on real events, which impresses me greatly.
Violence, humor this movie has a bit of everything.
3.5/5
yourmelodi
This film was alright. Despite it being based on true events, it was a little too drawn out and the climax was expected, as was the ending. But throughout it contained specific details and characteristics that added to it's "gangster" element, and was visually pleasing (Ryan Gosling, mainly) but it lacked a strong plot line.T-Made
Sean Penn was a joke.ThomasFTB
Given that director Ruben Fleischer’s only other well-known movie (I mean, does anyone even remember 30 Minutes or Less anymore?) begins with a zombie stripper’s breasts bouncing in slow-motion, I’m not sure who exactly felt he was the best choice to adapt Gangster Squad, a non-fiction crime novel about a very real L.A Police squad that stepped outside the law to act essentially as covertly sanctioned vigilantes to take down up and coming crime kingpin Mickey Cohen. I mean, especially given that these events really happened, you’d think the people involved in the production would want someone who could bring the most possible tact and realism to the story, otherwise something disastrous could happen, like someone’s granddaughter writing a viral blog post about how Hollywood turned her granddad’s life into an insipid popcorn movie with all the tact and realism of a Bugs Bunny cartoon and the movie overall being a disastrous failure both critically and commercially.But someone behind a desk thought that was an acceptable risk and thank GOD they did, because Gangster Squad isn’t just an insipid popcorn movie, it’s the most entertainingly insipid popcorn movie in years. Due largely to the fact that nobody on the cast and crew seems to have any idea that what they’re making is basically a Sin City sequel in full color, and they’re all playing everything so adorably straight. It isn’t just camp, it’s the best kind of camp, the kind that has NO clue that it even IS camp. The whole movie plays out like a parody of itself, a laundry list of cliches and ham and it expects us to take it all seriously, which ends up making it honestly one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in years.
Read the full review here
http://www.forgetthebox.net/gangster-squad-unintentional-camp-at-its-finest/
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