Public Enemies (2-Disc) DVD Review
SoHood.com Reviewed by: Johnny Pavlik
Movie Rating:  3.5 out of 5
Extras Rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: No one could stop John Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone — from his girlfriend Billie Frechette to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression. But while the adventures of Dillinger’ gang — later including Baby Face Nelson and Alvin Karpis — thrilled many, J. Edgar Hoover made Dillinger America’s first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Melvin Purvis, the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI.” However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents) and orchestrating epic betrayals — from the infamous “Lady in Red” to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti — were Purvis, the FBI and their new crew of gunfighters able to close in on Dillinger.

John Dillinger which is played by the best actor in Hollywood Johnny Depp, was given the task to embody the gangster’s criminal lifestyle of robbing banks. Along with his girlfriend Billie and his gang, Dillinger  rob banks and avoid from trying to get caught by the police. But after robbing so many banks, the higher ups in the Mob world such as Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti weren’t so happy with Dillinger and several other gangsters. The head of the FBI J. Edgar Hoover made Dillinger America’s first Public Enemy Number One and formed a task force to bring in Dillinger and the rest of the criminals such as Baby Face Nelson and Alvin Karpis. The top FBI agent to take down Joh Dillinger was sent in named Melvin Purvis who was played by Christian Bate.

From the begin we join John Dillinger breaking out of prison, we witness his cunning and serious demeanor but very sincere in his approach when he is dealing with people around his inner circle. For most of the film, we watch John and his girlfriend Buddy interact and share their dreams with each other. While that is going on, the FBI is on a mission to put John Dillinger behind bars. Melvin Purvis gets close to John a few times but misses him by a few minutes or so. After they capture his girlfriend  Buddy, that’s when things start to pick up. The Mob doesn’t care much either John Dillnger or Baby Face Nelson, so they don’t provide them with any safe havens. That’s when both guys go on a run from the FBI and the police.

But without giving away the entire film, I must say that it was well done. The time and setting and the clothes everything was believable and very detailed. It was an entertaining film, it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Public Enemies Clip