Gangster Squad - The 200th Review

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Gangster Squad.

Directed by Ruben Fleischer.

Written by Will Beall.

Based on the book "Gangster Squad" written by Paul Lieberman.

Review #200

MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong violence and language.

Run Time: 113 min

Cast

Sean Penn...Mickey Cohen

Josh Brolin...Sgt. John O'Mara

Ryan Gosling...Sgt. Jerry Wooters

Mireille Enos...Connie O'Mara

Sullivan Stapleton...Jack Whalen

Emma Stone...Grace Faraday

Nick Nolte...Chief Parker

Josh Pence...Officer Darryl Gates

Anthony Mackie...Officer Coleman Harris

Robert Patrick...Officer Max Kennard

Michael Peña...Officer Navidad Ramirez

Giovanni Ribisi...Officer Conway Keeler

Holt McCallany...Karl Lennox

Troy Garity...Wrevock

Jack McGee...Lt. Quincannon

Austin Abrams...Pete

John Aylward...Judge Carter

Before I begin this review I would like to take this moment to once again thank each and every one of you who take the time to read these reviews. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this kind of following let alone reach 200 reviews and I owe ALL of that to YOU. If it wasn't for your support and cool comments, I would have stopped doing this a long time ago. You guys keep me going which in turn keeps my undying passion for the silver screen flowing through my veins.

You guys kick ass!

Now without further adieu. Lights....Camera....Popcorn! presents it's 200th review.

Gangster Squad.

What is it about the gangster film that appeals to us so much? Is it because it's based in our world both past and present? Is it the fascination with a group of people who operate outside of the law with enough sophistication to avoid consequence (with some exceptions of course)? The bottom line is organized crime exists, it's as real and plausible as you can get. Hollywood just sensationalizes what we know to be true and it's always a fun ride. With the countless number of gangster/mob movies out there, everyone's got a favorite.  

Gangster Squad had a real chance to become part of the conversation.

Too bad they squandered it.

Plot

Los Angeles, 1949: A secret crew of police officers led by two determined sergeants work together in an effort to take down the ruthless mob king Mickey Cohen who runs the city. 

Before I begin, I want to go on record. I enjoyed Gangster Squad. Which is why I am so disappointed with it. I can review this movie in one word.

Wannabe.

Gangster Squad wants to be L.A. Confidential and The Untouchables but is more like the finale of The Sopranos. 

Uninspiring and flat.

You can see the attempt it makes to put it's hat in the ring with the classic gangster films of yesteryear. The script falls short with some of the characters and the overall depth of the plot. The biggest being Mickey Cohen. The film begins with a short and sweet voice over explaining Cohen's swift and absolute takeover of LA. Why didn't we see any of it? The film just establishes him as the man in charge. You get a better sense of who he is and how you feel if you actually saw him do the things he did that put him in this position of power.

Gangster Squad tries to cheap it's way out of establishing Coehn's supposed ruthlessness by dishing out punishment to his failing subordinates. This is nothing new to films of this genre. The problem is not once did I fear or respect the man running things. Cohen looked and felt more cartoonish than chilling. The respect comes more from O'Mara as he leads his crew against Cohen's organization. The premise of Gangster Squad is simple yet intriguing enough to provide some major adventure. A golden opportunity was wasted in favor of montage sequences showcasing O'Mara and his men knocking over Cohen's operations all over the city.

Gangster Squad also falls with it's subplots. The relationships these characters share with each other are brushed off way too quickly. These are rich, interesting characters that deserved the chance to be known and felt for. I can't figure out why this was ignored but it's glaring and unfortunate. Towards the beginning of the third act, the film tries to get you to care but it doesn't resonate as well as it should because of the predictable outcome.

That's what bothered me the most about Gangster Squad. It comes so close to giving me what I was looking and hoping for but for some reason stopped dead in it's tracks and moved on to the next scene. Ruben Fleischer should know better. He directed Zombieland. That film was well crafted and drawn out. I'm surprised he didn't apply the same tactics he used in his debut feature. The film and I would have been better off.

All of this leads to the final showdown in act three. It's as over the top a gun battle as you can get but it still maintained some form of entertainment. I realize there's not much you can do with a bullet ballet to make it fresh but let's be real about this people. If you're firing round after round with a machine gun and the only thing between you and your enemy is a Christmas tree and nobody gets hit?

That borders on Naked Gun turf.

I realize this sounds damning but I really did like Gangster Squad. The problem is I wanted to love it and it wouldn't let me. If you are in the mood for a popcorn-esque mob movie then this is right up your alley. If you're looking for more intricacy and appeal then catch this past season of Boardwalk Empire.

On the 5 star scale. Gangster Squad gets 2.5 stars with a split "Netflix/Give It A Shot" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is Zero Dark Thirty.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"