“Gangster Squad” takes audiences on an emotional roller coaster and breaks the line between right and wrong, bringing about a new perspective on killing.
The movie captures the beauty of a corrupt 1949 Los Angeles. With dirty cops everywhere and Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) as the most prominent drug dealer, the city’s future looks bleak.
Attempting to redeem the city he has loved and protected, the L.A. police chief (Nick Nolte) sets up an undercover squad of down to earth and war torn cops to bring down the kingpin.
The squad turns L. A. upside down attempting to bring Cohen to justice. In doing so, each member, chosen for his superior talents, is forced to undergo the emotional trauma that comes along with waging war on a city.
Featuring the talents of an all-star cast including Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, “Gangster Squad” radiates perfection. Together, Gosling and Stone create the perfect romance, adding hope amid the violence. Gosling and Stone’s relationship allows the film to remain balanced and down-to-earth without becoming too fantastical.
With a good storyline and brilliant directing by Ruben Fleischer, the movie should go down in history as something to be admired for all its brilliance.
It wrenches the emotions of the viewers, causing a mixture of pain and sorrow followed by an intense sense of elation, as the characters appeal to all who call themselves a true movie fan.
But ultimately, “Gangster Squad” brings an innate feeling of courage to all audience members. The film brings viewers to new heights and shines beyond all other gangster films.
Is it okay to kill innocent people to save an entire city? Are men expendable? To what extent should one get his hands dirty to become a hero? Only “Gangster Squad” can answer these questions. Unlike the unknown heroes from the band of cops, the movie will always be easy to remember for years to come.
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