With a host of big Hollywood names, the all-star cast of “Gangster Squad,” directed by Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland”), brings the battle between LAPD and Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) to the big screen for moviegoers. With a decent amount of brutality, plenty of shoot ‘em up scenes and a red-lipped Emma Stone, the movie is sure to satisfy a broad range of audiences.

Based on Paul Leiberman’s novel, “Tales from the Gangster Squad,” the story follows lead Sergeant John O’Mara (Josh Brolin) and the formation of the LAPD’s best defense against Cohen’s criminal underground – the gangster squad. Formed upon the request of Chief Bill Parker (Nick Nolte, “Warrior”) as a last attempt to save the City of Angels, the squad consists of the brains, Conway Keeler (Giovanni Ribisi, “Avatar”), the perfect shot, Max Kennard (Robert Patrick, “Walk the Line”), the newbie, Navidad Ramirez (Michael Pena, “End of Watch”), a very motivated Coleman Harris (Anthony Mackie, “The Hurt Locker”) and the last-minute addition Sergeant Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling).

Set in post-war Los Angeles, both Sergeant O’Mara and Wooters struggle to lose their soldier mentality and integrate back into society. O’Mara, whose wife Connie (Mireille Enos, “The Killing”) is expecting their first child, struggles with the constant urge to fight a battle, but this time for his beloved city. The squad offers the perfect answer to get back in the game, this time without the restriction of a badge, and an opportunity to catch Cohen off guard. However, with only six men against the entirety of the criminal underground, the risk is high, and the chance of not coming home is on everyone’s mind.

Penn plays the perfect villain – sly, cocky and ruthless – with a smile that says, “You’re in for it.” Cohen knows what he wants and will do anything to get it, killing friends, enemies and family to achieve his goals. With the beautiful Grace Faraday (Emma Stone) at his side, he feels certain he has the city in his pocket. Stone does an amazing job playing a sensual, mysterious woman from the 1950’s, whose love for Wooters overcomes the fear of Cohen’s punishment.
Gosling’s role in the movie, though much anticipated, was neither large nor particularly special. He served more as a pretty face than a dynamic character in the overall plot. His reactions to other characters are predictable and at some points not believable, especially playing alongside Stone, whose character came alive with every emotion.

An aspect of the film done well, however, was the cinematography. In places, the action moved so quickly the viewer got the sense of how quickly the shots were fired and the instantiations decisions needed for those participating in the battles. At other points in the movie, the camera was slowed down, giving a frame-by-frame of shattering ornaments or a bullet impacting a shoulder. No matter what the scene was, the effects and camera work felt well placed and enhanced the overall entertainment of the story.

Although at times the movie seems to be a bit cliché, a few twists and turns keep the audience engaged. With a roller coaster of emotions – gore, heartbreak, death and action, the movie is sure to spark an interest in the epic underground battle for 1950’s Los Angeles.