Movie Information
Overall Rank: 3561
Average Rating: 2.7/4
# of Ratings: 243
Theatrical Release Date: 07/01/2009
Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: 12/08/2009
Language: English
Genre: Crime, Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Michael Mann
Actors: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Channing Tatum, Billy Crudup, David Wenham, Leelee Sobieski
Plot: Even though John Dillinger and his gang are outlaws and bank robbers, the depression-era public is enthralled by their daring escapades. The fledgling FBI has made Dillinger their number one priority and top agent Melvin Purvis wants nothing more than to bring the folk-hero bandits to justice.
Quick Movie Reviews
Rating of
2.5/4
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/01/2024
Contains some pieces of a great gangster epic, but not all of them. Johnny Depp is very convincing as John Dillinger but we are never given a clear picture of who he or Christian Bale's Melvin Purvis were, and the cat-and-mouse chase between them isn't as exciting as it should be.
Rating of
3/4
Matthew Brady - wrote on 08/05/2014
This movie was way to long and the way the movie is shot is a bit messy. But on the bright side, it does have a good cast and actors.
Rating of
2/4
dukeakasmudge - wrote on 09/07/2011
Good movie but I hate how people change around the story to suit a movie
Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
2.5/4
"Public Enemies" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 02/03/2012
Public Enemies is the story of infamous depression era bank robber John Dillinger who became a kind of mythic Robin Hood style figure in the eyes of the poverty stricken American public of the time. Johnny Depp and Christian Bale starring in a legendary true-life gangster story directed by the man who brought us Heat? Nothing could possibly go wrong, could it?? Errrrm...evidently, yes it could. Once again, as always seems to be the case with over-hyped Hollywood blockbusters, the script is the usual suspect when assigning blame for missed opportunities. We all know what Depp and Bale are capable of, but here they have so little to work with its difficult for me to find fault with them. The film is basically just a series of beautifully shot shoot outs and jail breaks loosely strung …
Rating of
2.5/4
Public Enemies review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 01/25/2012
A popular bank robber John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) as he is pursued by Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), and his relationship with Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard). John and fellow criminals Homer Van Meter (Stephen Dorff) and Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) rob banks without hurting anybody. Score, acting and costumes were wonderful. Only reservations this critic had were the length, pace and lack of a better editing. Most parts could do without since it was not related to the plot and slows the whole picture. One of the better lines from Dillinger: “We're having too good a time today. We ain't thinking about tomorrow.” “The only thing that's important is where somebody's going.” “When you're desperate, that's when you got no …
Rating of
3/4
Depp As Dillinger
MovieMike - wrote on 12/22/2011
If nothing else, ‘Public Enemies’ is beautiful to behold. While not as moody as ‘The Road To Perdition’ (2002), this film evokes the era about as well. Directed by Michael Mann (credits include ‘Hancock’ and ‘Last Of The Mohicans’); this film looks back into the height of America’s gangster past (circa 1933) and provides rich visual details such as period aero planes (a Ford Tri-Motor for you gear-heads out there), steam trains, many vintage cars, and period set pieces such as Chicago street scenes. Fortunately for us moviegoers, ‘Public Enemies’ offers so much more.
To start with, we get a one-two acting punch from Johnny Depp (as them main character, John Dillinger) and Christian Bale (as Melvin Purvis). While both actors approach their respective roles with …
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Unknown - wrote on 2010-02-01 00:13
Thanks, I try to give my opinion of movies in the shortest and easiest way possible.
Unknown - wrote on 2010-01-31 12:08
It was good, but not good enough for best picture.Public Enemies (2009)Not Dissapointed, But Not Blown Away Either.3/4 starsEven though most of Mr. Mann's movies are crime dramas, he manages to make them all seem different and unique. The same goes for this film. Action= real-to-life gunfights, Characters= all great and Johnny is fun to watch, Romance= not the usual Hollywood crap, Humor= it's in there believe me. A good film at best. Wasn't dissapointed, but wasn't blown away either. "Heat" …
TheManWithNoName - wrote on 2009-08-20 21:25
They didn't care too much for Heat though. Still can't forgive them for that. Public Enemies will probably get nominated for Best Picture since there's 10 slots this year, but I think it would fair better if it was released later in the year. Public Enemies isn't really a summer movie. But compared to some of the popcorn action crap that's come out this summer, it looks like Citizen Kane.