Gangster Squad

R16

Going for style over substance, Gangster Squad oozes 1940s glamour, but fails to create any real drama. Josh Brolin’s rag-tag squad of cliché cops provide great entertainment as they blast their way through low-life criminals to take down mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn), while Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling once again sizzle with steamy on-screen chemistry (after their first encounter in Crazy, Stupid, Love). It’s a fun, frivolous ride, relying on cheap thrills – and it works.

Rating: 4/5

Laura Weaser