Gangster SquadMovie Reviews


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

    Sean Penn shines

    by

    This is not my kind of movie but I went because my husband wanted to see it. Its violent and graphic and feels kinda like a western. BUT, the acting is fantastic-Sean Penn was born to play this role. He really should get an award for his performance. The chemistry between the 6 guys who form the posse in this film is wonderfully played by each character. Also Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are very good together and will always make for a great believable couple onscreen! The production felt very authentic and they should win an award for that as well because they did a great job-the clothes, the architecture, the cars, the train station scenes, the club sets, even how they smoke their dang cigarettes-..all of it very easily transports you back to the gangster era. If you liked Bonnie and Clyde from decades ago; you will like this even more : )

    • 11 out of 16 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 12, 2013

    Comedy, Action, Suspense, Romance All Packed in One!

    by monicultural

    This was a really entertaining movie and definitely spurred a great crowd experience in the theater! If you just want a great night to relax and be entertained this is a great movie for men and women of any age. I was really surprised at how funny it was yet still captured the enchantment and intrigue of all gangster/mob movies.

    • 9 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 21, 2013

    An Exciting, Intense Surprise!

    by jzactor

    What I expected this film to be and what it is are very different. I was very pleasantly suprised by this film. The great actors in it raise it to a deeper emotional level than most good guy cops against wicked gangster films. Each of the star actors makes specific, distinct character behavioral and emotional choices which increase the intensity of the script which is very simple and basic. We have seen it before in many films but in this one the cast raises it up so it was impossible for me not get deeply emotionally involved in the film and the characters. Most memorable is the horrible violence and reminders of people who have been and still are cut down and give their lives to fight for the right and good. Sean Penn is incredibly, disturbingly intense making his bad guy easy to despise. The vivid colors used and dark noir quality made this an exciting, intense & disturbing experience, which suits the fact that this war reallly did happen!

    • 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 12, 2013

    Gangster Squad

    by

    Great movie, one of the best "Gangster" movies I have seen in a while compared to other "GanstA" movies. A story that can be foreseen once the movie has started, but more enjoyable then the any movie this year by far.

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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    Written February 4, 2013

    Classic Gangster Flick

    by

    Sean Penn just seems to get better and better. A great film - while not historically accurate it is a great story based on real events and people. Action packed. The soundtrack is excellent and to the period - I wish I had lived in the age of big band clubs. Enjoy!

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 12, 2013

    This flick is slick!

    by HoodCritic1

    "Gangster Squad" is a well put together film with a great collection of actors, solid writing, good action and drama and nicely executed direction from Ruben Fleischer. Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Nick Nolte and Sean Penn were great as the principle characters and Fleischer really did well in trying to make this period piece as convincing as possible. This movie doesn't go to such lengths compared to other gangster films such as "Goodfellas" but it was solid enough to see and enjoy. It is a very satisfying film.

    • 11 out of 17 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written January 17, 2013

    Ganster Squad

    by jlvegas

    Given the story line and history of actual events I expected a movie deep in character development and rich in facts. Instead I got an action movie that feel short of capturing my attention.

    The first shoot out scene missed the mark when the ggod guys where over mamned and out gunned by the bad guys.but, the bad guys couldn't shoot straight, making this sequence of action not belivable. After that it all went down hill from there.

    Thie good guys vs. bad guys is depicted in over-the-top special effects and comic like dialogue.

    What coul dhave bben a very good movie turned out to be a dissapointment.

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written January 25, 2013

    Nothing special, more cringe moments than a chick-flick

    by stuffwillbesaid

    Alright, so we've got Ryan Gosling the 'ladykiller', typecast as usual, tangentially related to the story of Mickey, but doesn't actually do much besides sweep Emma Stone off her feet.

    You know how in a chick-flick or a "romantic-comedy" how there are moments that make you shift in your seat with uncomfortableness? Moments that are too cheesy for real life, usually, and this movie has PLENTY.
    Seriously, someone's last words are a quote that was already said in the movie "Remember, shoot where he's going to be, not where he is." *shoots* *saves josh brolin's life* *dies*.
    Also, Ryan Gosling (Jerry)'s best friend gets killed. Literally murdered in front of Emma Stone. She runs up to him later "HE FOUGHT LIKE HELL". And suddenly it's never important again that OH WAIT JERRY'S BEST FRIEND IS DEAD. But he doesn't care because, well, poor acting I guess.
    Basic, basic filmmaking with huge names to soften the blow of a poorly directed, basic american "feel good"

    • 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 13, 2013

    Take it for what it is....

    by Average suburban joe

    Not a deep drama by any means; plot is thin and predictable. But a great action picture, just go along for the ride and be entertained, don't over think it.

    Love the texture of the period for LA portrayed - clothing, architecture, the cars, etc.

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 18, 2013

    Catch at matinee or wait for dvd release

    by nickgonzo88

    This movie was fun but I really had higher expectations from the amount of star power this movie had. I thought Sean Penn's performance was great as a villain but I was disappointed with the plot and the rest of the cast. Ryan Gosling?s voice didn't match the character he was supposed to portray and I left a bit less of fan of his. The end was totally ridiculous and predictable but this movie was fun nonetheless. Save your money and catch this at a matinee or wait to view elsewhere for cheaper than the price of admission. A SO-SO is definitely the correct rate for this movie because it would be absurd to categorize it as a GO. I couldn't rate it as a NO as it is entertaining but I couldn't rate it as a GO either because this movie is absolutely forgettable. Although I did catch a late showing, the person I viewed this movie with fell asleep. Actions speak louder than words.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 17, 2013

    There's no "Wait for it to come out on Netflix" option, huh?

    by primesilver

    When I first saw the previews, I remember thinking, "Oh, it's basically The Untouchables," except after Prohibition. What I should have realized was that it was basically The Untouchables without a script written by David Mamet. There are so many words I can use to describe the script: clunky, convoluted, predictable...but "hack" is probably the lead. There is literally a line where Sean Penn says, "You know the drill," and then one of his cronies grabs a drill and uses it on someone. So clever!!

    I can't tell if the people in this movie knew how bad it was going to be, and so they embraced it, or if everyone just brought in terrible performances. The acting was pretty wooden, and although there were genuine moments of cuteness in the movie (pulled off well), the theater I was in laughed the hardest at a serious scene at the end. This is a movie to watch at home with friends and rip apart (in that fun way). No need to pay full price.

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

    Compelling story, and characters

    by Kay11Jay

    Go see it, it was one of those movies that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I was taken with the story of justice and good vs evil.

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

    Old school gangster

    by Pauly Walnuts

    I really enjoyed this flick. Good to see Sean Penn doing his thing. Those 5 guys had a lot of balls to take on the entire Mickey Cohen outfit. The ending was good...was waiting for a twist that never happened and it was little predictable but it was fun to watch it play out. The fashion of this time period piece was so cool...what a great time to be young and alive.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 26, 2013

    great ride

    by tnb7770

    Just super duper as entertainment !! Loved it even though it is somewhat violent in parts. If you want to be entertained and aren't looking for some great and lofty intellectual message then by all means, "don't miss it"

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

    Best Gangster Movie Yet!

    by goldengirlwendy

    Action packed! The dramatic tension between the main players makes you hold your breath throughout the movie. Excellent script and direction- true to events and period! The best shoot-em-up since Pacino's Scarface! Great, believable character performances. Sean Penn plays Cohen as he was- sinister, smart, and without conscience. Bullets flying everywhere! Not for kids, or the faint of heart. A must see!!

    • 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'.