Reasonably Entertaining Crime Action
595810
Set in 1949, Los Angeles, "Gangster Squad" follows the story of an off-the-book team of police detectives tasked with bringing down Mickey Cohen, a mobster who rules the city. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, best known for his joyful and unpredictable "Zombieland," the crime action drama lacks originality in spite of the beautiful photography and great cast including Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Nick Nolte, Robert Patrick, Michael Pea, Sean Penn, Giovanni Ribisi and Emma Stone.

Though "Gangster Squad" features several real-life figures such as police sergeant John O'Mara (Josh Brolin) and a gangster Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn), the storyline and episodes are mostly fictional. Some may criticize the film for its clichd story and typecast characters, but the fast-paced film is not boring thanks to the fine performances form the cast, impressive period details and gorgeous photography by Dion Beebe ("Chicago" "Memoirs of a Geisha").

What the film needs is more intense conflict between O'Mara and Cohen. Interactions between the squad members are also weak. Generally speaking, if action sequences are not very thrilling, it is because audiences just don't care what is going to happen to these uninteresting characters.

It is reported that the film was re-shot because of the 2012 Colorado shooting. But I think the re-shooting has nothing to do with the workmanlike direction and by-the-numbers storytelling. "Gangster Squad" is a reasonably entertaining crime action that could have been better with more fleshed-out characters.
3323377
Revolving around a brilliant man's desire to punish his unfaithful wife, it's not really a new story--but there's nothing inherently wrong with stories that have been told before as long as they are executed well. "A Perfect Crime" is well-executed, with a few nicely suspenseful scenes. It's hard to tell if Abrahams really means the title, or if it's a humorous allusion to the primary atagonist's extreme hubris--after all, the crime in question has more than a few flaws.  As with almost any mystery, the plot relies on some developments that strain believability, although good characterization and some nicely written scenes carry the day for Abrahams here.  I am a bit taken aback by the somewhat lavish praise heaped on this book, by Stephen King and others--it's certainly nothing exceptional, just well-executed suspense.  Then again, with the volume of mediocre work on the shelves these days, perhaps a solidly executed story can pass for exceptional.  Recommended, just don't expect the world.
732733
enough action to be interesting, but rather flat characters
64826
this is a typical police procedure genre. Good evening entertainment.
4586956
This is a straightforward action / revenge flick as others have said, and if you take it as just that you will enjoy it. Far too many people are looking for intelligent social comment, or hidden morality in a movie such as this, and forget to compare it to a Steven Seagal, or even Bruce Willis style romp. Cole Hauser is a little stilted, but broody enough as the chiseled "fictional" big action movie star Bo Laramie, whose privacy is invaded, and then plastered less than gracefully (or truthfully) over the pages of the tabloids. I think the director cleverly did NOT deviate here into the "price of fame" subtext, or try and tackle the thorny issue of celebrities in the public eye, instead sticking to a straight on revenge story. Laramie we learn after he is forced to take anger management classes is something of a "good old fashioned boy" from the plains of Montana, maladjusted to the big city lights, who feels that his own moral values, and style of justice should rule the day. After 4 Paparazzi photographers hound him to the point of causing actual harm to his family, he reacts predictably, after finding little assistance from the police, or legal system. Twisted morality now please enter stage left, as the Paparazzi quartet (led by Tom Sizemore)are portrayed as unprincipled, malicious and detestable bottom feeders, whose complete lack of conscience and nefarious activities of course mean ANY form of punishment is acceptable to bring them to book. Cleverly however, what follows is not a testosterone bathed series of beatings, but a moderately inventive turning of the tables, albeit violently similar in conclusion. The viewer is ALWAYS on Laramies side, as he fumbles through the movie, and there is a good supporting cast from Dennis Farina as the "Columbo" style police officer in particular. The movie is not long at 82 minutes, but probably long enough and left me feeling almost guilty in a satifactory if predictable outcome. I believe this movie actually bombed at the box office, but this is no reflection on it being bad, and probably aimed more at Mel Gibson(making a Hitchcock style cameo appearance) in the Producers chair, who was waging his own private battle with Hollywood at the time of release. I gave it 3.5 stars which is a little generous, but still enjoyable.
4436011
Pretty fair movie for sitting back and having mindless fun. A good mix of martial arts and guns, guns and more guns. A good reminder is: Don't kill John Wicks dog! Some very recognizable faces that fit their roles well (Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, Willem Defoe plus Alfie Allen (from Game of Thrones playing another character that just needs his a** beat....he seems to play them well) along with Keanu as a retired hit man add up to a movie that moves along at a quick pace and a satisfying end. A couple of plot points aside (why do villains toy with the hero rather than kill them?) make this movie a good weekend watch.
3194094
As much about father-daughter as crime,  this is an entertaining movie
1490906
Here's a fine little murder mystery in the guests-spending-a-weekend-at-a-lavish-British-manor manner. (But you knew that from the title, right?) I had just started to get a little tired of character development ("Enough about the guests already! When's somebody gonna DIE?"), when, wham! Things really started happeningthings like vandalism, two deaths (three if you count the dog), and a character mysteriously vanishing. ("Did she run away? Or is there another body yet to be found?")

I found the detective likeable, the suspects realistic and varied, the writing surprisingly engaging, and the solution satisfying without being over-wrought or confusing. A fine bit of workthanks, J. Jefferson Farjeon and Poison Pen Press!
4489827
Typical British light drama with inspectors solving murders in suburbia while sharing personal events and feelings outside work.  A very common recipe that , none the less, offers entertainment while offering a good "who dune it?"
396903
A pretty fair yarn about a killer in today's London who copies the Ripper murders down to the last detail.  A formula plot wherein a green up and coming brand new Detective Inspector in the Metropolitan Police (generally known as Scotland Yard in the USA) takes over an uninspired detective group and gradually wins them over, not by brilliance but by dogged determination to solve the case.  I generously gave it three stars.
2237749
Fairly entertaining, light/easy reading if you just need something to pass the time
Fairly (and by fairly, I mean very) predictable
1681349
Surprisingly good crime/action-adventure flick.
Good actors and good action.
4405245
Pretty good action.  Although this genre gets a little formulaic after a while.
954880
Entertaining action flick. It's not deep, but it's a reasonable story-line for the genre and the cast plays it well. Some humor, everyone stays fully clothed, and it's fairly family-friendly (if you allow for war-action and some blood).
4029791
Roxi, the protagonist in this whodunit, succeeds in getting herself into the middle of everything. With her husband in tow, she manages to find a murdered prostitute by (almost) accident and then involve herself deliberately when it appears that her next door neighbor and family friend may be connected, despite dire warnings by her homicide detective son.
Despite the appearance of several unusual characters (the demoted navy man, the pumpkin carver, the voodoo doll) the plot is relatively straightforward and enjoyable, though just a tad fluffy. It is a fast and non-exerting read.
710210
A reasonably well written trifle that follows a couple of con men as they try to clean up the mess created when their latest con spins off the rails.  If you're looking for action, look elsewhere; the body count is quite low, but the story is mildly humorous and is a nice time killer, especially at its current low introductory price.
3093478
This story line is pretty "standard fare" stuff, typical of the era of Western movies of the day (when this movie was made).  The acting is not outstanding, but neither is it terrible.  There are some decent "action scenes" and the cast was well selected for the roles they portrayed.  It was acceptable entertainment for the evening.