Gangster Squad (2013)
Directed by Ruben Fleischer
Starring Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone
LA is being overrun by an ex-boxer turned mafia gang leader Mickey Cohen and making the city, the people and the authorities his own. A squad of cops are recruited to take the city back before it is lost forever by doing whatever is necessary.
The film isn’t entirely serious and is sort of just a massive shoot ‘em up between the good guys and the bad guys. The story isn’t that memorable and there isn’t really that much care from the audience for any of the characters. However that said the film is good fun and a bit cartoony in places. There is a lot of killing in the film with some pretty gruesome scenes, especially the opening scene taking place behind the Hollywoodland sign.
Sean Penn as Mickey Cohen is pretty terrifying at times and definitely not someone you would want to mess with. Ryan Gosling is too cool for school in this, as he is in most things and the lovely Emma Stone is stunning as the love interest and has the hint of the Jessica Rabbit about her.
Recommend
Ryan Gosling will entertain the ladies and Emma Stone will thrill the guys. The film was a good start to the year and had some fun parts but ultimately wasn’t a stand out hit. A fun watch but no real need to see it at the cinema.
TheFriedGold rating – 6/10 – Less Gangster Squad more Shooting Squad
Film Fact
The film was supposed to be released last year, 2012, but was sent back to production to reshoot some scenes and to cut out a scene involving a cinema being shot up.
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