Gangster Squad

I had the absolute privilege of seeing Gangster Squad this week before it hits theaters tomorrow. The film follows the journey of the LAPD in Los Angeles as they go after an infamous mafia man in the 1940's. The best part of the film that is based on a true story, is hands down the casting. The list of names seems to be endless with Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, and Nick Nolte to name a few. The squad of men that is put together is amazing and they play off of one another with excellence. 

All that being said, the film is a double-edged sword. As a woman, I don't mind the blood-bath- and bullet parade that this film is, but many women and some men will have issues with this. The film will be huge regardless of the negative attention, but because of it the reviews will suffer. The film is nothing short of gory, but in a great way. It's a manly man film, so if you love that, then you will eat this one up. All of the acting is spot on. The only weirdness that takes place is the voice that they have Gosling take on. He doesn't have a truly deep voice, but it isn't high by any means. In the film he spoke in a much higher voice. I think it makes his character and not one of the women in the theater seemed to care. He and Emma Stone have sizzling chemistry in this film much as they did in Crazy Stupid Love. Josh Brolin was also very strong in the film as was Sean Penn. I didn't expect anything less from either one of them but it's always comforting when you know that someone was the perfect choice for the role. 

While watching I had reminiscent feelings of the brotherhood shown in  Ocean's Eleven. The characters are truly there to protect each other. That is the most real aspect of the film. The time period is also presented well and doesn't seem overdone or fake. It's not a film that will win any awards next year but it is a great movie to see with a group of friends. A job well done by all. I know that this film will be huge and I suggest that you all see it this weekend!