Squad Up! 5 Reasons Why You Should See 'The Gangster Squad'

November 30, 2012 - 6:05 pm by VIBE Pop Culture

During the summer, we anticipated seeing the first trailer for director Ruben Fleischer's "The Gangster Squad," the forthcoming period crime film which stars Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and Josh Brolin. In an odd sense of ill-timing, the trailer was put on hold when art and life imitated one another sparked by the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting that gripped the nation's attention.

Fast-forward the clock to November, and all eyes are still on Fleischer's "The Gangster Squad." The major Hollywood ensemble period piece centers on Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) who relocates to the City of Angels to control every wire bet placed west of Chicago. With the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the LAPD, it is up to a brave, street-hardened crew of law enforcement outsiders to stop this gangster from setting up shop.

Enter: The Gangster Squad. Led by Sgt. John O'Mara (Brolin) and Jerry Wooters (Gosling), this "based on a true story" is a colorful retelling of events surrounding the LAPD's efforts to take back their city. We here at VIBE Pop Culture got an early look at the movie and wanted to share with you 5 Reasons Why You Should See "The Gangster Squad". So, strap up for an exhilarating ride by navigating our gallery, which you can see for yourself, above.

A GREAT ENSEMBLE CAST — Set in 1949, director Ruben Fleischer manages to get Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone to join forces once more on the big screen. The duo managed to steam up the lenses in "Crazy, Stupid, Love," and now return to bring the heat in this period piece drama. The film, which is based on the seven-part Paul Lieberman's "Tales From Gangster Squad," finds Hollywood's top gunners along for the ride. Apart from the aforementioned Gosling, Penn, Stone and Brolin, the massive cast includes Nick Nolte, Michael Pena, Anthony Mackie, Holt McCallany, Giovanni Ribisi, Mireille Enos, Robert Patrick, Frank Grillo and Troy Garity. Audiences will get a chance to see how the stars align in director Ruben Fleischer's period piece and it will be worth every penny at the ticket booth.

A COLORFUL RETELLING OF THE GANGSTER ERA — "This isn't a crime wave, it's enemy occupation." Those words uttered by Sean Penn's Mickey Cohen sets the scene for "The Gangster Squad." This period piece manages to whimsically retell the accounts from award-winning Los Angeles Times writer Paul Lieberman's "Tales From the Gangster Squad." This stylized flick is a throwback to those earlier eras of cinema: full of authentic cars, guns and wardrobe, and aims to make an entertaining experience for fans of mob movies.

A CHARISMATIC STORY WITHIN A STORY — Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are the "story within a story," as they keep the film white hot as secret lovers looking to keep their union hidden from Sean Penn's Mickey Cohen. Gosling appears to be dastardly handsome in a simple three-piece suit, but the '40s inspired get-ups aren't the only thing crispy and clean. Stone's smokey eyes and lust-filled tone will keep cinephiles on their toes throughout the duration of the movie. SPOILER ALERT: There's a real hot bedroom scene between Gosling and Stone that you must see to believe.

SEAN PENN AMAZES AS CHICAGO MOBSTER MICKEY COHEN — Sean Penn delivers a tour de force performance as the Brooklyn-born gangster who migrated to California in hopes of ruling its gambling wires with an iron fist. Without giving too much away, the "Carlito's Way" actor bulked up in muscle for the role, harboring a menacing smile and an affinity for violence that may make the gangsters of the '40s seem like pranksters. Penn as the lead villain is a welcomed change from his tree-hugging, peace-loving, rock 'n roll characters in "The Tree of Life" and "This Must Be The Place".

ROMANCE MAKES THIS A MUST-SEE DATE FLICK — For cinephiles who are looking to have a great time, an enjoyable one full of thrills, chills, explosions and romantic liasons — "The Gangster Squad" is for you! The love affair trope involving Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is engaging enough for guys and gals to enjoy. Plus, if being schmaltzy isn't your cup of tea, then seeing the "off-the-books" Gangster Squad utilize their brand of vigilante justice throughout 113 minutes is enough to make it a must-see date night flick of the week. But you don't have to take our word for it, you can see the trailer for yourself below: [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed] "The Gangster Squad," which stars Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin & Sean Penn is in theaters on January 11, 2013.

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