Movie spotlight
Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and — if he has his way — every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop… except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of LAPD outsiders led by Sgt. John O’Mara and Jerry Wooters who come together to try to tear Cohen’s world apart.
In 1940s Los Angeles, Mickey Cohen, a mob kingpin, rules the city with an iron fist, protected by his ruthless enforcers and complicit police force. A small, elite group of LAPD officers, known as the 'Gangster Squad,' is formed to take Cohen down. Operating outside the law, they embark on a dangerous and violent crusade to dismantle his empire and restore justice to the city.
Gangster Squad received mixed to negative reviews from critics. While its stylish visuals, action sequences, and performances were often praised, many found the plot to be thin and derivative, and the film struggled to balance its gritty tone with its more stylized elements. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm.
Praised for its visual style and energetic action.
Criticized for a weak, unoriginal plot and a lack of depth.
Performances, particularly from Sean Penn and Josh Brolin, were noted as highlights.
Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be a stylish and action-packed ride, appreciating the vintage Los Angeles setting and the cast. However, many felt the story was predictable and didn't live up to its potential, with some finding the violence excessive.
The film's release was delayed by six months following a real-life shooting at a Colorado movie theater, and a scene depicting a shootout in a Chinatown theater was reshot to remove a similar scenario.
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Rat-a-tat-tat! Gangster Squad is directed by Ruben Fleischer and written by Will Beal. It stars Josh Brolin, Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Nick Nolte, Anthony Mackie, Giovanni Ribisi, Robert Patrick and Michael Pena. Music is by ...