Flash Review: Gangster Squad [2013]
This high school production of L.A. Confidential is all forced style and no substance, no meat. Gangster Squad is marginally entertaining, but it also is an utter waste of tremendous potential, especially considering the cast, whose talents are squandered reciting the cheesiest writing. Sean Penn simultaneously overdoes it and phones it in, while Emma Stone’s thoroughly inconsequential role could’ve been played by a mannequin and it would’ve achieved the same effect (plus, it’d be cheaper and less offensive for women). The climax features the dullest boxing match I’ve ever seen.
Ah, ‘Mulholland Falls’ for the 21st century. Thanks, Fernando.
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You’re welcome 😉
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Still want to see it, but thanks for the warning Fernando!
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You’re welcome. It’s not the worst thing ever, but it could’ve been much, much better.
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I must say, I love your shorter reviews. Gives you an excuse to add little quips at the end like “The climax features the dullest boxing match I’ve ever seen.” Haha. Why would there be a boxing match in a crime flick to begin with, let alone to lead up to the ending?
On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 10:25 AM, Committed to Celluloid wrote:
> ** > fernandorafael posted: ” This high school production of L.A. > Confidential is all forced style and no substance, no meat. Gangster > Squad is marginally entertaining, but it also is an utter waste of > tremendous potential, especially considering the cast, whose talents are > squand”
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Thanks! And the reason there was a boxing match was beacuse Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) was a boxer before he was a gangster. Josh Brolin’s character (a cop) apparently was a good boxer as well, but they never bothered explaining that aspect of him. They throw down at the end and it’s super boring.
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A bit too goofy and uneven in spots, but still fun and entertaining to watch for a dumb-sitting. Nice review Fernando.
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Thanks!
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Love that poster! At least that’s pretty cool 🙂
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LOL, yeah. That’s the best thing about the movie, and it’s not even official! haha
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Trust me Chris, it’s waaaaaaaay better than the movie. I’d rather just look at that poster for 2 hrs ahahaha!
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LOL!
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Haha, I’ll take your word for it Ruth! I didn’t realise it was that much of a stinker! 🙂
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Hoping I get to see this soon, I know it isn’t great but I’m still a big Gosling fan.
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Who isn’t, right? He’s good here but he’s not given the best material to work with.
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Too bad buddy! The Place Beyind the Pines and Only God Forgives will erase any bad vibes he gets from this film.
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Yes. I think they will. Really looking forward to those. The trailer for OGF is glorious.
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YES!! Finally someone agreeing w/ me on this one. That poster is 1000 times better than the movie, ahah. I LOVE that you call it a ‘high school production of L.A. Confidential’ SPOT ON!!
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🙂 Thanks, Ruth! It was amazing, visually, but it had so much potential that I can’t believe this is what they came up with 😦
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