Sensitive political issues surrounding the mass movie-theatre killing in Aurora, Colorado delayed Gangster Squad's release - a highly violent gangster flick, if you didn't guess that from the title. This Friday finally sees its release, but was it worth the wait?
Well, if you like films; the movement of cinema; the phenomenon that is the silver screen: no. Sadly - for the people in and behind Ganster Squad, the film won't enter the pantheon of cinematic greats. It won't leave award season with any trophies, and probably won't leave a lasting impression on anyone apart from Gosling-addicts, which is basically everybody. "A crime against cinematic sensibility," say Village Voice in a rather damning review. "These are good actors, but aside from Brolin and Gosling, they're barely given any special moments of their own to make their marks here," explains Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter, choosing to be kind rather than cruel. The List say it's "easy on the eye and enjoyable for the most part, especially when Gosling occupies the screen," but "Gangster Squad has a few too many flaws." And finally, in our premium selection of bad reviews, MSN Movies opinion reads like: "So it's a shame that "Gangster Squad" is nothing like a good old-fashioned gangster picture. While it's a period piece that clearly relishes its evocation of neon-bright Los Angeles in 1949, it's hardly old-fashioned. And it's no good at all ..."
Now in the interest of balance, here's Stefan Pape on why you might just like it: "As long as you take Gangster Squad for what it is and view it as the light-hearted (albeit very violent) drama that it's intended to be," writes Pape for HeyUGuys, "you're bound to enjoy yourself, as despite this title's many shortcomings."
Take a look at the trailer and see what you think:
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