Flick Review: Gangster Squad

Gangster Squad

Starring:  Josh Brolin, Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Robert Patrick

Gangster Squad was one of the movies I was most jazzed about seeing this year, although it was originally supposed to be released last year, but due to the violence in the film and the fact that it was originally going to be released in September, only a few weeks after the Aurora shootings, the film got bumped into January of this year.  This is unfortunate, as I do believe that the postponement will likely hurt it's overall box office total, especially with many of the nominated films for the Academy Awards seeing a bit of an uptake in interest.  However, it's a really good, fun film that you should probably go see if you get a chance.

Gangster Squad takes place in post-World War II Los Angeles, where east coast mobster Mickey Cohen (a real life mobster, btw), has managed to consolidate all of the vice trade in the city, and has enough crooked police and judges in his pocket to protect his empire.  Now, Cohen seeks to break away from the Chicago Outfit, and create his own mob empire on the pacific coast.  Determined to stop the mobster before he completely takes over Los Angeles, the chief of police tasks Sgt. John O'Mara, a war veteran and an honest cop, to put together a task force with the sole purpose of destroying Cohen's operation, though doing it outside of the law.  The task force, dubbing themselves the Gangster Squad, hit Cohen hard, destroying illegal gambling operations, prostitution rings, and causing mayhem to the mobster's bottom line.  As Cohen prepares for his boldest plan to ensure a steady stream of income and power to cement his hold on Los Angeles for good, the Gangster Squad has both be able to stop the mobster for good, while trying to protect their themselves and their loved ones from Cohen's retribution.

The movie is visually striking, with director Ruben Fleischer (who also directed Zombieland and 30 Minutes Or Less) making use of the a variety of objects, props, and wardrobe to make the movie feel authentic. Many of the buildings from 1940’s Los Angeles are still in existence to this day, and are still in their original form, allowing the on location areas to look genuine instead of like they were shooting in front of a blue screen. The wardrobe department did a bang up job on this film, matching many of the styles, both in terms of men and women, for the outfits, hair, and accessories. Even the advertising for some of the products is authentic, down to the Pepsi bottles and the Schlitz beer packaging.

The two main principles of the film are Mickey Cohen, played by Sean Penn, and John O'Mara, played by Josh Brolin.  We'll start with the bigger name in Penn, who looks like this film was probably a blast for him.  He plays up the role of Cohen very well, making him absolutely loathsome, starting with the beginning of the film, to establish your dislike from him and them expand on it, like an everwidening circle of hate.  He's sinister, calculating, and funny as hell when he goes off on a tear.  I like him.  Penn should play more villains more often.  He's great at it.  As for Brolin, he's a very likable character, almost the complete opposite of Penn, which is probably the biggest problem for his character.  He's too good, too devoted to the law, too much of an ideal cop.  Brolin's O'Mara is very much a throwback to the classic lawman characters of the old school gangster flicks, and he gets overshadowed by both Penn and Ryan Gosling, who steals the show.  Gosling's character, Jerry Wotters, is much more fun and realistic, showing a sense of humor and jadedness to his job, but also maintaining an overall dedication to a noble cause, and a willingness to fight for it when needed.  He's charming, debonair, a drunk, lecherous, and overall just kick ass.  Very much like myself.  The other big name in the film, Emma Stone, is lovely in this film, but she is very much just window dressing for the film, looking gorgeous as a damsel in distress with enough endearing, corny dialogue to make you take notice.  This is a shame, as Stone herself is capable of playing much more than this, but for this film, she's sadly just another pretty face.

The rest of the cast is great too.  The rest of the Gangster Squad is made up of Robert Patrick, playing Max Kennard, the old veteran of the group who is also hilarious and near unrecognizable in his makeup.  Giovanni Ribsi is excellent as Conwell Keeler, the groups tech expert and their moral compass, while Anthony Mackie and Michael Pena round out the squad, adding muscle and some great one liners.  Overall, it's a great mix of characters, and they all play off each other very well.

So, in the end, is the movie worth seeing?   Well, that depends.  If you are looking for something that is meant to be Oscar worthy, then no, you probably shouldn't.  It's not a great film, but it is a very good one.  If you're looking for something fun, both in terms of entertainment and in terms of watching some really good actors have a ball on screen, then by all means, go see it.  It's a great homage to the classic gangster films, with a modern twist to it.  It's good fun, and worth your Hamilton for your ticket.