Gangster SquadMovie Reviews


  • Go Based on 12,459 reviews
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  • Go
    Written January 13, 2013

    Gangster Squad left me satisfied

    by

    With the excitement of TV Shows like Boardwalk Empire and this new found love of reclaiming the history of mobsters etc. I was thrilled when Gangster Squad trailers began popping up everywhere.
    Because of the hype of Boardwalk, though I think Gangster Squad had a lot to live up to. There were some parts of the film that missed the mark. The movie starts slow and you can tell the actors are trying their best to live up to the period they are representing.
    The action scenes are out-of-this-world, in the sense that it's not your typical Hollywood movie. The way the film was shot gives it a more robust feel when watching the chasing scenes or seeing the guns pop and glow.
    There are elements of this film that will definitely keep you entertained. A lot more jokes and laughing then I thought there would be.
    Overall I will most likely see it again and it will definitely be added to my movie collection.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written January 18, 2013

    Bloody lies - my Dad John O'Mara didn't shoot people

    by

    I am the daughter of John O'Mara, the Los Angeles police officer currently portrayed in the Hollywood $75MM movie, Gangster Squad, set in 1949. However, the movie bears absolutely no resemblance to the true story of my Dad and his near obsession with the mobster Mickey Cohen. Paul Lieberman's recently released book tells the story much more accurately. My Dad and his colleagues tracked Cohen through dogged police work, courage, nerve and intelligence. In the movie, my Dad is shown firing away in numerous bloody shootouts, killing and maiming. In real life, my Dad shot his gun once in twenty years. The movie's release gives us an ideal forum to discuss our cultural obsession with gun violence in film. There was a true story, a great story, where the cops outsmarted the bad guys, but the truth was largely ignored by the script in favor of endless gunfire and sadistic murder and gives us clear, hard evidence of the movie industry maximizing violence to garner ticket sales.

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

    Great shoot 'em up film

    by robert.gallegos33

    Very good action movie very loosely based on the reality that the LAPD did take strong action to keep the Eastern Mobs from gaining a foothold in the City of Angels. Good acting, humor and plenty of action. Took my girlfriend's 70 year old mother along and she thoroughly enjoyed it. Fast paced action made it an enjoyable time at the movies.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 27, 2013

    Not bad.

    by

    I went with a group and we enjoyed the film. That said, it wasn't one I'd have killed to go see, or one I'd see in theaters again.

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

    Gangster Squad

    by svenard

    Love the actors and the humor...all but Sean Penn. Face acting has never been my favorite. He just phoned in this role which was arrogant cuz he was appearing with some really competent folk. Some funny exchanges to make one laugh. Too many bullets per killing! Gratuitous gang land violence. That being said, my grandchildren and I enjoyed the escape factor.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written February 18, 2013

    Go

    by MovieMeister66

    I don't see what the Critic's are thinking. I found the movie entertaining, full of shootouts and action, plus Sean Penn really nailed being a bad guy (and I don't generally like him as an actor). I say Go.

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

    Well Done!!

    by

    Gangster squad is fantastic! Violent, big, bad and just damn awesome! Loved it! Acting was very good and it wasnt a slow film, kept you interested from start to end. It was def. worth the money

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 21, 2013

    Entertaining but could be so much more

    by slarson89

    I have been watching films long enough to know what to expect from a film like this. Very entertaining ( also violent) film but the story doesnt quite suck you in and even though all the players do a fine acting job you don't get to spend enough time with any one character to see any development. Overall an entertaining film if you want some great visuals with an easy to follow story but if youre looking for something more you wont find it here.

    • 5 out of 6 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 27, 2013

    Exciting & Thrilling

    by susan.lynch

    This was a great movie. I'm not a Sean Penn fan but have to say he did an excellent job. If your looking for action this is the movie for you.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 20, 2013

    theoldman0627

    by

    OMG what good story. will done plot. the acting was very good and play will. go see it you love this kind of moive, not for kids.

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

    The 2013 Version of 'Untouchables'

    by

    This was a great movie. It was action-packed and the plot was solid. Without the really epic details of past great gangster movies, 'Gangster Squad' was driven by a lot of weak dialogue and cheesy one-liners and the movie could've done without Ryan Gossling-this just wasn't his type of movie if you will. Overall, this was still a great movie with plenty of action and I enjoyed every moment of it.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 12, 2013

    Good movie, but save your money and don't see it in theaters

    by

    I liked the film, but I didn't love it, which is why I wouldn't pay to see it in theaters...save your money. The actors were great, an all star cast, but you never get attached to them. Ryan Gosling was charming and probably the only character that kept my attention. There are so many great gangster movies and this one just didn't stand out or even compete.

    • 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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  • Must Go!
    Written January 20, 2013

    A slice of LAPDs colorful history. Must See!

    by wonder_chimp

    The whole movie from start to finish had me hooked. It provided a refresh for me of Los Angeles during the late 40s and the famous Mickey Cohen. The parts where they kept going "over the river" to Burbank alway had me laughing. It was a fun cop action movie with light history lesson and some romance to boot. I almost did not go see this movie because of profession film reviews. Man, this is definitely one you have to see for yourself. The cast was solid and dynamic. The whole move had me going. Beginning to end. One last note. The movie can be pretty violent so heads up with the kiddies.

    • 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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AlexSav2 Just watched Gangster Squad, world class

8 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'.