Perhaps it was intended to be a cartooned version of a classic gangster movie but I thought it fell short of what it might have been.

The movie was very well written, well casted and well down. Absolutely no boring moments. Might not be the best movie for younger kids. This is a must see.

A promising cast (mightily uplifted by Sean Penn's oscar-worthy performance) and a few moments of enrapturing style can't make up for two, terminal flaws?the most inconsistent A-list script of the past ten years and direction that's competent only when the guns are blazing. Is it a waste of time? No. But don't expect the gangster/mob film classic the trailer or the movie critic shills promise. So much potential, so much disappointment.

On screen talent (aka actors or talking mannequins...) tend to overdo it now and again. I'd say that's true in the extreme of Penn's performance here. Goslin and Brolin, along with a few other familiar faces bring credibility and color to an otherwise dull screenplay, whose plot that has been done so many times it's a cliché. Still, Emma Stone definitely steals the show here, despite Penn's hamming it up. All in all it's not a bad film. And as for all those who cry foul at the violence, apparently they've not seen Django or about a dozen other ghoulishly violent films exhibited commercially this year alone. It?s becoming alarmingly common place. But if you don't like it, the sure fire way to press your opinion is by voting with your pocketbooks. For all others, taken in the spirit it was made, I?d say it's worth the ticket price just as an adult diversion alone. This is a film to bring you back to reality from that holiday fantasy hangover too. See it. You won't be disappointed.

Based on the trailer and the subject material, I assumed Gangster Squad would be a story driven mob movie. After noticing the sub 2 hour run time when ordering tickets, I realized it would be a lot more action driven. Gangster Squad is a fun movie that overflows with testosterone. The plot is simple, predictable, and often cheesy. This movie exceeded the level of violence I was anticipating. That's not a bad thing. Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, and Josh Brolin all give very respectable performances...especially when considering the script. The set designs are authentic retro. For the record, Gangster Squad is a complete work of fiction. It in no way coincides with the life and times of the actual Mickey Cohen. If you're looking for a quick shoot 'em up high and don't mind a predictable plot, Gangster Squad will definitely fit the bill. If you like my reviews, add me as a fan. I'll add you back!