“Gangster Squad,” the new film directed by Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland”) opens this Friday in theaters.  Starring such well-known actors as Academy Award-nominated Josh Brolin (“Milk,” “No Country for Old Men”), Ryan Gosling (“The Notebook”), Emma Stone (“Superbad,” “The Amazing Spider-Man”) and two-time Academy Award-winner Sean Penn (Mystic River, Milk), “Gangster Squad” takes the audience through  the efforts of the

LAPD in the late 1940s to stop the mafia from taking over the city.  What ensues next is beatings, bloodshed, wiseguys, and gunfire galore.

While the film holds many historical inaccuracies with its portrayal of various gangsters and cops, it has immense entertainment value. Drawing on the gritty spirit of the film noir genre from the postwar era, “Gangster Squad” utilizes modern camera tricks and cinematography for a splendid combination of the old and the new.  The film also includes some very clever scripting and incredible sound work, giving it a well-rounded sense of enjoyability. 

“Gangster Squad” features top-notch acting from Brolin the role of Sgt. John O’Mara, Gosling as Sgt. Jerry Wooters, and Emma Stone as Grace Farraday, who plays the noir-style damsel perfectly.  Perhaps most haunting of all, however, is Sean Penn’s performance as mafia boss and villain Mickey Cohen.  Playing the cruel and ruthless gangster, Sean Penn calls upon his Oscar-caliber acting to give one of the most chilling performances of his career, proving that he has come a long way since his role as Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.  Supporting members of the cast include such seasoned and talented actors as Academy Award-nominated Nick Nolte (The Prince of Tides), Anthony Mackie, Robert Patrick, and Giovanni Ribisi, all of whom perform their given roles perfectly.

In all, “Gangster Squad” is entertaining, well-shot, well-written, and very well-performed, making it more than worth the cost of a ticket.  Though it isn’t recommended for a date movie, its high-adrenaline makes it the perfect film for a guys’ night out.

A-