Gangster Squad may not have been a critical darling upon its Jan. 11, 2013 release, but 12 years later, it stands as a stylish and entertaining throwback to classic Hollywood crime dramas.
The film boasts an all-star cast, with Sean Penn delivering a deliciously over-the-top performance as Mickey Cohen, the ruthless mob boss who terrorizes 1940s Los Angeles.
Josh Brolin brings intensity to his role as Sergeant John O’Mara, a decorated war hero with the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts that becomes a Los Angeles cop.
Ryan Gosling plays Sergeant Jerry Wooters, an easygoing playboy and cop who joins the Squad.
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in Gangster Squad (Photo/Warner Bros.)
Emma Stone stands out as Grace Faraday, Cohen’s social etiquette teacher and quasi-lover who eventually falls in love with Wooters.
Nick Nolte as Chief Bill Parker, who forms the Squad to take down Cohen.
Anthony Mackie is Lieutenant Coleman Harris, who is recruited into the Squad due to his specialties with knives and guns.
Giovanni Ribisi, Micheal Pena, Robert Patrick, Troy Garity (Ballers), Frank Grillo and Holt McCallany add further star power, bringing a charismatic energy to their respective roles.
Gangster Squad delivers on its promise of stylish action and old-school Hollywood glamour. Director Ruben Fleischer’s film is visually stunning, with meticulous attention to period detail and a vibrant color palette. The action sequences, particularly the iconic shootout in the Chinese Theatre, are thrilling and well-executed.
Reception for Gangster Squad
Gangster Squad grossed $17. 1 million in its opening weekend, placing third in the domestic box office behind Zero Dark Thirty ($24.4 million) starring Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgeton and Chris Pratt and A Haunted House ($18.1 million) starring Marlon Wayans.
The film would gross $105.2 million worldwide in its theatrical run.
Richard Roeper gave it a B+, saying “Gangster Squad is a highly stylized, pulp-fiction period piece based on true events” and noted its strong performances.
Jeff Shannon, in his two out of four stars review on RogerEbert.com, said “To be fair, this tawdry dose of pulp fiction (“inspired by real events”) is not a complete waste of time.”
Legacy
While some may criticize the film’s over-the-top violence, Gangster Squad remains a fun and entertaining ride. It’s a film that celebrates the spirit of classic Hollywood, with its charismatic characters, stylish visuals, and thrilling action.
