John Dillinger was one of America’s most famous criminals. The first celebrity criminal if you like and I suppose the last of the great outlaws, which would have included the likes of Jesse James and Billy the kid.
Michael Mann (who’s past work would have included the amazing Heat) has been charged with the task of bringing Dillinger to the big screen. Johnny Depp plays the man who was able to rob a bank in minutes and Christian Bale plays Melvin Purvis, the cop who would attempt to hunt him down.
Without going into too much of the story, its basically a few bank robberies, some detective work, a few shoot outs and a love interest or 2 thrown in. Now onto the performances and the movie itself. Depp is Depp. He is consistent and solid throughout, but never really sets the screen completely alight but at the same time is quite convincing and incredibly charming. Christian Bale is adequate enough here, with a non to strenuous performance to his credit.
The supporting cast are also consistent and solid with Oscar winner Marion Cotillard and surprisingly Channing Tatum, having some superb performances. As for the pacing, well the movie clocks in at around 140 minutes and on a few occasions, seems very slow and drawn out.
The movie was shot in High Def and as a result looks absolutely stunning. Public Enemies is set in the 30’s and make no bones about it, this is the 30’s and they have never looked so good. The streets, the banks, the cars, the clothes and the overall attention to detail is brilliant. The movie could have done with a few more bank robberies but in turn it probably makes up for this with some epic Tommy gun battles.
Overall Public Enemies is no Heat, but its solid, albeit a bit slow in places but none the less an enjoyable film which really kicks off in the latter half. Definitely worth at least 2 viewings!
Michael Mann (who’s past work would have included the amazing Heat) has been charged with the task of bringing Dillinger to the big screen. Johnny Depp plays the man who was able to rob a bank in minutes and Christian Bale plays Melvin Purvis, the cop who would attempt to hunt him down.
Without going into too much of the story, its basically a few bank robberies, some detective work, a few shoot outs and a love interest or 2 thrown in. Now onto the performances and the movie itself. Depp is Depp. He is consistent and solid throughout, but never really sets the screen completely alight but at the same time is quite convincing and incredibly charming. Christian Bale is adequate enough here, with a non to strenuous performance to his credit.
The supporting cast are also consistent and solid with Oscar winner Marion Cotillard and surprisingly Channing Tatum, having some superb performances. As for the pacing, well the movie clocks in at around 140 minutes and on a few occasions, seems very slow and drawn out. 
The movie was shot in High Def and as a result looks absolutely stunning. Public Enemies is set in the 30’s and make no bones about it, this is the 30’s and they have never looked so good. The streets, the banks, the cars, the clothes and the overall attention to detail is brilliant. The movie could have done with a few more bank robberies but in turn it probably makes up for this with some epic Tommy gun battles.Overall Public Enemies is no Heat, but its solid, albeit a bit slow in places but none the less an enjoyable film which really kicks off in the latter half. Definitely worth at least 2 viewings!
