Gangster Squad

Gangster Squad. The film is based on the true story of the LAPD's efforts to take down Mickey Cohen, a notorious Los Angeles crime boss, and features an ensemble cast, including Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Nick Nolte, Emma Stone, and Sean Penn. The movie was directed by Ruben Fleischer, known for his work on Zombieland and 30 Minutes or Less, and produced by Dan Lin and Kevin McCormick. The screenplay was written by Will Beall, a former LAPD cop, and inspired by the book L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City by John Buntin.

● Gangster Squad

The film's narrative is set in 1940s Los Angeles, a city plagued by organized crime and corruption. The story follows a special task force, known as the Gangster Squad, which is formed by LAPD Chief William Parker to take down Mickey Cohen and his empire. The team is led by Sgt. John O'Mara, played by Josh Brolin, and includes Officer Jerry Wooters, played by Ryan Gosling, as well as other notable LAPD officers, such as Conway Keeler, played by Giovanni Ribisi, and Max Kennard, played by Robert Patrick. The squad's efforts are supported by District Attorney Ellis Loew, played by Jon Polito, and Mayor Fletcher Bowron of Los Angeles.

● Plot

The plot of the film revolves around the Gangster Squad's mission to dismantle Mickey Cohen's crime syndicate, which has infiltrated every level of Los Angeles society, including the LAPD, the judiciary, and the city government. The squad uses unconventional tactics to gather intelligence and take down Cohen's associates, including Jack Whalen, played by Sullivan Stapleton, and Barney Ruditsky, played by James Hébert. As the squad's efforts gain momentum, they attract the attention of Cohen himself, who will stop at nothing to protect his empire. The film's narrative is interspersed with references to real-life events, such as the Zoot Suit Riots and the Black Dahlia murder, which add to the overall sense of tension and violence that pervades the city.

● Cast

The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Josh Brolin as Sgt. John O'Mara, Ryan Gosling as Officer Jerry Wooters, and Sean Penn as Mickey Cohen. The cast also includes Emma Stone as Grace Faraday, Cohen's girlfriend, and Nick Nolte as Bill Parker, the LAPD chief who forms the Gangster Squad. Other notable cast members include Anthony Mackie as Officer Coleman Harris, Giovanni Ribisi as Conway Keeler, and Michael Peña as Officer Navidad Ramirez. The film's cast is rounded out by Mireille Enos as Connie O'Mara, Sgt. O'Mara's wife, and Holt McCallany as Karl Lockwood, a Cohen associate.

● Production

The film was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures, with Dan Lin and Kevin McCormick serving as producers. The screenplay was written by Will Beall, who drew inspiration from his own experiences as a LAPD cop and from the book L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City by John Buntin. The film's score was composed by Steve Jablonsky, who has worked on numerous Hollywood films, including Transformers and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The cinematography was handled by Dion Beebe, who has worked on films such as Chicago and Memoirs of a Geisha.

● Release

The film was released on January 11, 2013, in the United States and Australia, and was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film's release was preceded by a marketing campaign that included trailers, TV spots, and print ads. The film received a wide release, playing in over 3,000 theaters in the United States alone. The film's release was also accompanied by a video game tie-in, which was developed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

● Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the film's action sequences, performances, and production design. The film holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 72%, based on 192 reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The film also received positive reviews from Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times, who gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, and from Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, who gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars. However, not all reviews were positive, with some critics criticizing the film's violence and lack of depth. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $105 million worldwide on a budget of $60 million. Category:2013 films