Part of the film is based on real events in the 1940s and 1950s. As the most influential gang leader in history, Mitch Cohen has monopolized many industries in Los Angeles, from real estate to oil, from casinos to brothels. . This man has both a generous and warm side, and a savage side. Counting down his fortune history, from a poor boy who reselling candy and soda, to a professional boxer, then joined the gang as a thug, and gradually ascended to the status of the boss of Los Angeles. In the face of such a legend, there is a lot of room for excavation and shaping, both in terms of roles and deeds.
Unexpectedly, director Ruben Forrester took a different approach and found an unexpected perspective. Of course, if you have watched "Zombieland" directed by him, you will not be surprised. After all, playing cards out of the way may not be without surprises sometimes. As a result, "Legend of Gangsters" did not become a gangster epic like "The Godfather", but became a quasi-adventure that followed the path of "Seven Samurai" or "Seven Heroes and Kou Chi". Action movie.
In this setting, Mickey Cohen's image quickly changed from three-dimensional to flat, from a legendary gangster to an ordinary villain with no features. It can be applied to any third-rate villain, even if he is regarded as a supporting role. Not too much. On the contrary, the director puts the focus of the film more on the anti-gangster team composed of six policemen, which is not within the compilation, and at the same time is beyond the law. Fighting against Cohen head-on, immediately filled with a strong retro Western flavor, with the same chic and romantic as "Seven Heroes and Kou Chi". Correspondingly, it is necessary to complain about the Chinese translation of the name-"Gang legend" refers not to Mickey Cohen, but to this gangster-like anti-black group. Therefore, "Gangster squad" seems to be more aptly translated as "gangster squad", no matter the name or nature is similar to "Inglourious Basterds".
"Legend of the Gangster" is simple and smooth, but also has a certain interest, with the refreshing energy of a popcorn movie. But it seems a bit overkill to use this formula to write a story about Mickey Cohen and his gangster kingdom. Not only is the relationship between gangsters and the government, Cohen and the powerful and powerful, it is limited to the surface, but it also lacks the direction of values, and is destined to be mediocre. In fact, the same is true of the actors, Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, all of whom are powerful actors at the level of movie stars, but there is almost no room for them to play in this film, especially when looking at West Eun Pen often felt sorry for him when he played the role of Mickey Cohen with no depth.
Alas, all the good ingredients have been smashed into strings.
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