Gangster Squad

Performances are relatively good. Costumes and sets are fairly well-done but don't make up for the mediocrity in character development and storyline. It reminded me more of a video game than a motion picture. The poster reminds me of L.A. Confidential, which it doesn't come close to reaching. I found myself bored, felt like the characters were trite and two-dimenhtioal and the storyline really blasé, to the point where I felt bored. Sean Penn, instead of menacing, was like a joke. Too much on-the-nose dialogue. It's a disappointment, too, because one can see how it could have executed better. A reminder that Hollywood has forgotten how to make movies.

People who rate this movie less than 3 stars and say it "sucked" must have something wrong with them. This is a great movie from start to finish, the action was there and it was different from the original type gangster movie. Sean Penn played an awesome role as the bad guy, mad props. It was nice to see Ryan Gosling play a role with more than 3 lines, cough cough *Drive.* I am unsure of how people rate movies but, this is an A+ in my book. If you think this movie sucks, chances are you probably suck.

Update: you can now buy on GPlay. Still not a classic gangster movie. Sean Penn is weak. Brolin should've been the lead, or anyone other than Penn. Historically inaccurate. Wikipedia Mickey & you'll see...Alcatraz... Sean Penn is whack, but this movie is pretty good even though it's slightly inaccurate. Brolin is awesome. You can purchase it on Amazon.