Gangster SquadMovie Reviews


  • Go Based on 12,453 reviews
    Breakdown:
  • Must Go!
    Written January 21, 2013

    If you like gangster movies you cnnot miss this film. Five Tommy Guns out of Five

    by

    I assumed since this came out in January that it must have been passed over by the distributor as being unworthy of Oscar or other awards consideration. In fact critics have widely panned the movie.

    I'm no Sean Penn fan but I have to say that this is one of the best gangster movies I have seen in a long time. Every actor was good but I thought Ryan Gosling (as Jerry) was among the best.

    This was based on a true story and, as usual, ended up better than most fictional stories. The action in this movie was packed in from start to finish. To my personal delight, the action was relevant and in small doses at a time. I'm not one for the 007 20 minute car chase, those do nothing for me. This was nothing like that.

    There is a lot of brutal gangster style violence. I would not want to be bringing kids fewer than 16 or so, I would guess.

    Again, I cannot recommend the movie highly enough for those interested in the gangster/mafia style genre.

    5 Tommy Guns out of Five

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written January 21, 2013

    Worth the $$$

    by HapCrazCool

    Josh Brolin is AMAZING! As usual!!! Sean Penn was a hard ass, but he looked coked out the whole time. I don't know he just didn't look like the Sean I know and love. But he was still good. The story line was good. I'd recommend it.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written January 29, 2013

    Good Lord Ryan Gosling is horrible for this.

    by schlaic

    I was tired of his baby voice 2 minutes in. It's the exact opposite of tough guy gangster squad, and really pulls from the film. Besides the fact that the story isn't true, which was annoying, it's just unlikely and not compelling. The whole movie is just cheesy.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written January 29, 2013

    Heavy on action, light on facts

    by jackel_inthebox

    If you're a classic gangster movie fan, this one's for you. Sean Penn was a perfect Mickey Cohen, even though the man depicted in the movie was far from 100% true to real life. If you know yours gangsters, you'll know what I mean. Josh Brolin was masculine as could be and Emma Stone was smoking hot, but I'd really hoped for more from Ryan Gosling. While he did have some cute moments, he came up short yet again. I can hardly wait until he ruins Fifty Shades of Grey for me.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 19, 2013

    A GREAT GANGSTER MOVIE

    by

    Wow this movie was amazing ! Every action scene was so detailed with blood and a wow factor. I recomend seeing it because it gives you a true outlook on the gangster scene in los angeles in the 1940s. MUST SEE THIS MOVIE!!All the actors and actresses were on point and this movie is a tear jerker at some parts. This movie is more for adults due to the violence and some gore of blood.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 12, 2013

    Fascinating watch

    by

    The movie was very well written, well casted and well down. Absolutely no boring moments. Might not be the best movie for younger kids. This is a must see.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 13, 2013

    Stylish, Shoot 'em Up Movie

    by yippie70

    An entertaining movie if you enjoy action films with a lot of violence. The sets and costumes recreate LA in the late 40s very well. The special effects are designed to enhance the violent scenes and do the job.

    Sean Penn always gives a good performance, but the script doesn't require deep acting from the cast, the story is pretty weak and predictable as written. Penn gets to rant and rage, Brolin is good for outrage and bombast, Goslin for cool...

    Remembering this is a movie, the writer and director have distorted and/or omitted key facts and details of what really happened between Cohen and the LA cops for dramatic effect...but it doesn't really matter...this film is very much a soufflé..

    • 7 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 21, 2013

    Leave the kids with the babysitter and go see this NOW!

    by

    This moving is just amazing. Then again I have always been a fan of Gangster films. I am also obsessed with the 1950s styles. Yes there is a bit of gore that might make the weak hide away in the palms of their hands but it is nothing to the point that even those wouldn't enjoy the movie. The acting was pretty amazing. Emma Stoned nailed her character right on the head. The mise en scene was right on point. The lighting of the movie gave it that gangster feel that sucks you into that time. You feel for all the characters, even Gangster Cohen, the bad guy. I would say you gotta see this!

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 14, 2013

    Great Period Movie

    by united9198

    Gangster Squad tells a great story that is based in fact. The visual on this movie is outstanding. Conveys the L.A. area of the 1940's in exquisite detail. The film noir quality comes through very well as the set design, cinematography, costumes, dialog are all first rate.

    Casting was done well and the characters are right on. Nick Nolte is great as the Police Chief and Sean Penn is scary as Mickey Cohen. Emma Stone is great to look at as the glam doll, Ryan Gosling as the romeo playboy cop. Last but no least is Josh Brolin who looks made for the part of the honest Police Sgt.

    I really liked this movie and might consider going again. Not for kids due to the violent theme, but a great movie.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 15, 2013

    Inspired by true events?

    by

    Well yes, there is a real Los Angeles on planet Earth, and Mickey Cohen and Police Chief Parker and some other characters and locales are real enough. Beyond that the story liberally departs from the historical record, which I have no problem with. Weak script but very stylish cinematography and loud!

    • 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 22, 2013

    The Gangster Squad

    by

    Absolutely loved it! Some people would say it was too much shooting, but I would say there was not any more shooting than you would expect from a gangster film. Matter of fact, even though it begins with a pretty gruesome scene involving Mickey & his cohorts, it wasn't as gruesome as some other gangster films I've seen. The movie is intended for adults. It was not a complicated plot to follow, but there was plenty of action, a little romance drama regarding Wooters and Grace, and plenty of anticipation for the viewers as to how the Gangster Squad was going to bring the bad guys down. It seemed like a lot of thought & effort was exercised regarding detailed scnerery, vehicles, and clothing of the period, dramatic explosions, etc. You can't beat the all star cast! Penn, Brolin, Gosling, & Stone were phenomenal, as usual! Mackie is an interesting star to watch & enjoyed Nick Nolte's gruff character. Pure entertainment to get your mind of of the everyday grind. Go see it!!

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 14, 2013

    The seats were confy

    by wrestlerjay07

    The movie is very slow and I dont think any gangster movie is going to come glose to scarface but.It has its moments and if you lioke the 50's then its good but if you dont then just stay home or rent it.

    • 7 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 27, 2013

    Noir? Action? Graphic?

    by PG1993

    I still didn't get it. Lots of recalling of famous movies, but characters with little or no depth. Dialogue ridiculous at time? (Emma Stone at the bar with Ryan Gosling one, for example, Really??)

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 13, 2013

    Excellent

    by tarawa

    Sean Penn very good in his role as well as the rest of the cast. Sometimes close to more than needed, ut doesn't detract from the movie as a whole. Nick Nolte better than I expected as Parker. Well worth it.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 28, 2013

    Fantastic movie. Leave your cerebrum at home and expect to have fun.

    by amyvanlan

    This movie appealed to me because of the historical perspective on Los Angeles (I'm an urban history/sociology freak), the classic cops vs robbers/cowboys vs indians/soldiers vs infidels story line, and the promise of great acting by Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, and Josh Brolin. Not to mention that Emma Stone is a stone fox.

    I have to say that this movie delivered in leaps and bounds on all fronts. The time period was reproduced beautifully, the cops & robbers story was very entertaining and at times gripping, and Sean Penn and the rest were other-worldly.

    My only critique of the film comes from my background in Gender Studies, as the story highlights themes of white supremacist capitalist patriarchy (bell hooks), and my sensitivity to extreme violence. I closed my eyes at a few really violent parts of the film, and kept my ideals in tact by acknowledging and dismissing some themes. I found that I still really enjoyed the film, and will definitely purchase it when it goes to DVD.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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AlexSav2 Just watched Gangster Squad, world class

7 days ago.

ImUhBeaner Gangster squad!! Ahh that was a good movie too! I just have a thing for 50s movies

8 days ago.

morganshearer Watched The Notebook now Gangster Squad #RyanGoslingILoveYou

8 days ago.

hollistudTV Tbell and watched Gangster Squad. #goodmovie Not going to log back on to stream. Hopefully will stream some later today - no raid.

8 days ago.

lilman1423 Gangster Squad was pretty good. 7.5/10

8 days ago.

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Exclusive Features

Cast Interviews Exclusive Cast Interview Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and the cast of Gangster Squad talks about the old days, the mob and their new movie. Cine Latino: 'Gangster Squad''s Michael Peña on Playing César E. Chávez and Being a Badass Michael Peña talks about his upcoming film role and the pressures of playing César E. Chávez in Diego Luna's biopic 'Chavez'.