Gangster Squad

Have to say I was very impressed with "Gangster Squad"... just a slick, stylish, drama/thriller that easily entertains. I didn't know anything about this movie going in, nor did I really know anything on real life head mobster "Mickey Cohen", although I knew of his name. However," Gangster Squad" has a good premise. It may not be an instant classic like the Godfather Trilogy, Goodfellas, and other memorable ones, but it does have a few nice qualities that help keep the movie fun and thrilling. For one thing, the story is simple, easy to follow, and combined with a really great cast, along with some big name actors... you can't help but be drawn into this fast-paced production. Though the acting is just about flawless, it's a bit on the cliche side at times, but personally it wasn't that big of a deal for me. I still enjoyed the film. Dialogue was interesting too, and at times very funny. Sean Penn is positively unmerciful and deranged in his role as Mickey Cohen. His performance is tremendous, and he steals just about every scene... wow! Also, Josh Brolin does a great job with his cocky, cool act, and Ryan Gosling is good as well... magnetic and laid-back as usual. They both perfectly portray the face of their vigilante-style band of misfits. As for Emma Stone, I thought she was miscast. To be honest, I thought her character was a bit underplayed, although she wasn't that bad, this clearly wasn't her best performance. The gratuitous romance between her and Gosling though was interesting however. Nick Nolte, although he played such a small part, wasn't too bad in his role either as the head of the LAPD. Also, as I've discovered this movie doesn't quite follow the exact story on Mickey Cohen to the letter... this is merely Hollywood's new adaptation, some may like it and some may not. Aside from that," Gangster Squad" has a good element of suspense. The action sequences are continuous and perfectly executed as well. For me the action was nicely balanced with most of the battles lasting longer than a minute, yet fast enough not to drag on. With guns blazing, bullets flying at every second, there is undoubtedly a lot of violence in this picture, and at times quite shocking. Some of the gruesome, graphic images were a little too grotesque and had me looking the other way. Yet it wouldn't really be much of a gangster movie if there wasn't any violence or gore. Nice to see the profanity was kept to a minimum. Lastly, the setting is also imposing, drawing you into the late 1940's in L. A. Costumes, hairstyles are amazing. I was pleased with the stunning visuals, camera work was very good too. Overall, just a fun, rough-and-tumble film about good guys doing wrong to take down bad guys doing worse. Go check it out!