Gangster Squad (Blu-ray + DVD + UV Digital Copy)
- Movie Review
- Video and Audio Quality
- Blu-ray Special Features
- Blu-ray Specifications
Movie Review
Gangster Squad features a group of hard-line police cops
attempting to take down mob king Mickey Cohen, who in post-war America basically
owns Los Angeles as if he were playing a game of monopoly. With corruption
smearing the entire city, only a handful of honest policemen (Josh Brolin, Ryan
Gosling, Anthony Mackie, Michael Peña, Giovanni Ribisi and Robert Patrick)
would even consider taking on Goliath head on.
The movie essentially provides what is to be expected from a
gangster picture, being depictions of torture and gun showdowns filmed in a way
that gives it all a touch of panache and style. This objective is aided by the
use of slow motion, where bullets graze walls and pillars, even decimating
ornamental decorations set up in all corners of the surrounding (most notably
the finale set in the hotel). Yet, the most entertaining aspect would have to
be the plot’s fundamental base. It is at its core a David vs. Goliath scenario,
where 6 cops take up arms against an entire mob, in fact an entire city given
the roots of corruption that prevail in the film. It is thrilling and wildly
exciting. I could compare it to a funny YouTube video like a guy trying to poke
a bee hive or a hornet’s nest. The consequences are equally hazardous, yet the
film would be devoid of the humor evoked through a YouTube video.
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| It's not a flamethrower. |
When commenting on the acting, the spotlight seems to fall
only on Sean Penn who remarkably resembles a Young Mickey Cohen’s appearance
quite effectively. I suppose Hollywood’s costume and make up departments have
made some significant progress during the last decade alone. Penn’s depiction
on screen is visceral. The feeling of fear and apprehension that he delivered
was pungent and his dealings also stir up contempt for him amongst the viewer.
His antagonizing clearly worked.
By way of plot, it is quite formulaic in the way that it
develops. You have an initial momentum building up with the good guys before
the bad guy gets some leverage in the middle’s climax. Then the good guys, who
having been trodden on and defeated in the climax, somehow recuperate and give
a good show at the end. Even some of the sub plots where work and personal
lives get muddled up and family gets hurt have been seen on many an occasion,
and will be seen in the future given that it supplies emotional baggage to
films.
Don’t let this act as a deterrent, though. The plot’s
progression may be traditional but the “how?” is different. There are guns
galore for action addicts and humor in some cases, especially when the
“gangster squad” tries to get their footing right after the group’s conception,
not knowing how to dismantle Cohen’s empire early on. If you wanted to see what
a car chase was like in the 1940s without fancy gadgetry, then Gangster Squad
will illuminate it to you.
Rating: 7/10
Blu-ray Video and Audio Quality
The set designers did a flawless job recreating Los Angeles
in the 1940s. The buildings, interiors, clothes and most importantly, the cars
and guns are symbolic of the post-war period. Most films get bogged down in the
night scenes where the lack of light doesn't let the viewer decipher any of the
detail or proceedings. Surprisingly, Gangster Squad is as clear during the
night as it is in the day. Yet, the most noteworthy element would be the
smoothness of the picture, the background and specifically the actors. Their
faces and clothes have this surreal evenness without any jagged or rough strikes
that give the movie the qualities of an animated feature. It doesn't make it
childish, but it does provide a richness that may have somehow kept the time
period and the locations adrift, as if in another era (which it is), much to
the benefit of the film.
There is a hefty difference between the loudness of the
dialogue and the action with the guns. I had to frequently adjust the volume,
shifting to increase it to hear the dialogue, and then reduce it once the
blasts started. It would be quite a pain to do so, especially if there are
others around and you have to make a conscious effort to keep the noise down.
The film emulates sound like it is in reality, with the gun shots obviously
being brasher than the dialogue. If you’re watching at home with everyone else
and you don’t have lousy neighbors, the audio would be ideal with the surround
sound. If not, then bad luck.
Video Quality: 5/5
Audio Quality: 4/5
Blu-ray Special Features
Rating: 5/5
- Audio Commentary:
Director Ruben Fleischer provides a commentary covering all aspects of the
movie covering areas such as casting, script, set designs, performances
and even the pre-production stage of the movie about bringing the project
to life.
- The Gangland Files (HD):
A Picture-in-Picture experience, complete with interviews, video
commentary, trivia, historical and production facts, photos and more.
- Focus Points: The
Set-Up (HD, 46 minutes): Fifteen behind-the-scenes featurettes
are available as well: "The Real Story," "Josh Brolin on
O'Mara," "One Continuous Long Shot," "Fashion of the
'40s," "Ryan & Emma Reunited," "Emma Stone on
Grace," "The Real Mickey Cohen," "Ryan Gosling on
Wooters," "The Real Gangster Squad," "The Real
Locations," "Nick Nolte on Chief Parker," "Inside
Slapsy Maxie's," "Ryan & Emma on the Set,"
"Bringing Back Gangsters" and "Park Plaza."
- Deleted Scenes (HD,
12 minutes): Seven deleted scenes: "Cohen Meets Russo,"
"Del Red Chase," "Chavez Ravine," "Griffith
Observatory," "Wooters Drives Grace to Whalen's,"
"Posadas: Cohen Threatens Squad" and "Cheif Parker Gives
Permission/Evidence Room."
- Rogues Gallery:
Mickey Cohen (SD, 47 minutes): Narrated by William Devane, this
feature chronicles the life of Mickey Cohen.
- Then and Now
Locations (HD, 8 minutes): A photo collection comparing the
film’s locations now and back in Cohen’s time.
- Tough Guys with
Style (HD, 5 minutes): The cast members decide to give their
thoughts and opinions on late 40s L.A.
Blu-ray Specifications
Video
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Audio
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles
English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Discs
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
iTunes digital copy
DVD copy
Bonus View (PiP)
Playback
Region free
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