Gangster Squad

In 'Gangster Squad,' which is loosely based on true history, the good guys realize that to uphold their principles and preserve their city, they've got to play by the bad guys' rules. Thanks to an amazing ensemble cast and an innovative director, this premise leads to intense character development, a gorgeous retro view of Los Angeles…and some really awesome shootout scenes!

It's 1949, and ruthless gangster boss Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) has Los Angeles descending into the grips of corruption. The police chief (Nick Nolte) taps upstanding cop Sgt. John O'Malley (Josh Brolin), recently returned from World War II and disgusted with his city's decline, to recruit a band of cops to take down Cohen's operation—on the down-low and outside the law. The resulting 'Gangster Squad' includes wild card Sgt. Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling), who has struck up a romance with Cohen's moll Grace Faraday (Emma Stone) … making an already dangerous mission even riskier.

The amount of talent amassed in 'Gangster Squad' is absolutely ridiculous—props to up-and-coming director Ruben Fleischer, whose credits include 'Zombieland' and '30 Minutes or Less,' for getting venerable actors like Penn and Nolte to sign on! Gosling and Stone, reteaming in a movie that's totally unlike 'Crazy Stupid Love,' have the same great chemistry. And every member of the squad, from Brolin's steely O'Malley to earnest Ramirez (Michael Peña) to nebbishy wiretap expert Keeler (Giovanni Ribisi), is a compelling character.

Fleischer brings energy, excitement, and style to every frame of the movie. And the sleek period style is gorgeous and authentic (the sets! The costumes!) but has a distinctive modern edge. Action, romance, drama, grit, and powerful performances: 'Gangster Squad' has it all. We can't wait to see what project Fleischer takes on next.