Gangster Squad
Ruben Fleischer’s “Gangster Squad” seems like a prequel, of sorts, to “L.A. Confidential.” In this film, Fleischer tells us the true story of a crew of six cops in the LAPD of the late ’40s/early ’50s who go off the books, and wage war against Mickey Cohen, a brutal mob boss who wants Los Angeles all for himself. Cohen was the gangster whose arrest, and incarceration, started the chain of events in “Confidential,” in case you were wondering where that connection came from. Unfortunately, Fleischer’s film, based on a book by Paul Lieberman, and a screenplay by Will Beall, lacks that film’s depth, although it more than makes up for it in style and entertainment value.
Leading the charge against Mickey Cohen is Sgt. John O’Mara, a WWII vet and loving husband (soon-to-be father) played by Josh Brolin. O’Mara has been fighting the battle against Cohen on his own, but now, his superior (Nick Nolte) has given him the go-ahead to form a special unit to combat organized crime in L.A.. The crew he gets is a mix of young hot-heads (Anthony Mackie, Michael Pena, Ryan Gosling) that also includes a former member of Army Intelligence (Giovanni Ribisi), and an old gunslinger (Robert Patrick). Leaving their badges at home, they start to take down Cohen (played with over-the-top zeal by Sean Penn) one step at a time, but they also run the risk of overplaying their hand, and putting their loved ones in danger, especially when Gosling starts sleeping with one of Cohen’s ladies (the sultry Emma Stone), putting her own life at risk.
Fleischer, Beall, and the cast don’t really do anything flashy or innovative in telling the story. Yes, Fleischer (the director of “Zombieland” and “30 Minutes or Less”) uses stylish visual tricks to tell the story, but it’s a straightforward, old-school crime narrative that draws you in, and keeps you entertained every minute of the way. It’s a good flick.
