Hugely disappointing

Rating: 5/10 (5 May 2016)

I don't know what it is that's missing from this film but there's definitely something.. Not that Johnny Depp didn't do a bang-up job as Public Enemy Number One, a role that the Pirate of the Caribbean had long coveted. He probably deserves kudos for the best Dillinger portrayal, but you can't do a whole lot with a worn and weary script. Mann should've called John Milius for advice: his own 1973 Dillinger starring Warren Oates was an awesome flick but, as he learned, Dillinger just doesn't go over big at the box office. Even Lawrence Tierney could've told him that. Oscar winner Christian Bale as Melvin Purvis and Award-winner Marion Cotillard as Billie Frechette added star appeal but you just can't make a good meat loaf out of spam. No teasing, no toying, just things happening. there's little plot movement, zero character development and the muted acting comes across as sleepwalking. Depp has the odd moment, mostly in the love sub-plot when he finally shows some intriguing charisma and as a result you're left wishing there was a lot more smooching and a lot fewer gunfights. bale is blank - such a shame when he can often do the inner-turmoil/explosion thing so well.
For Depp, Bale and Cotillard fans, this is a solid effort for which these actors deserve recognition for putting over a registered stink bomb. For Michael Mann watchers, this ranks right up there with Manhunter as a classic book-to-movie fumble. For crime buffs and action/adventure flick fans, well, let's say this is better than Boys In The Hood... but not much. All in all, a big disappointment; I had expected much better! Overall rating: 5 out of 5.