Movies today are evolving, there is no question about it. Special effects have reached unimagined pinnacles, plots are growing more elaborate, and we demand more of our actors. On top of that, there are a few phenomena that are arising in modern cinema — perhaps the most notable is the celebrity of the character. In movies that display this trait, the plot, the action, the drama, are all there, but that's not why you really go to see the movie. People see Pirates of the Caribbean for Jack Sparrow, they see Dark Knight for The Joker, and now they will be seeing Public Enemies for John Dillinger. Based on factual events, the movie tells the story of this notorious 1930s bank robber, and Johnny Depp's portayal of public enemy number one is memorable, to say the least.

The characters are really what makes this movie what it is, with Depp filling the role of Dillinger and Christian Bale stepping into the shoes of agent Purvis of the Bureau of Intelligence. Both actors do an excellent job, though Depp is going to be the one to steal the spotlight. His Dillinger is a lady killer with a swagger in his step and the world in his pocket. He is always in control of the situation, even when he's speaking to government agents from the wrong side of a barred door. The character is endlessly charismatic, and possesses the devil-may-care attitude Depp often lends to his roles. Even though Dillinger is likable, there is an inscrutable dark side to him — something vaguely sinister — that makes him truly unforgettable.

Bale's Purvis serves as the perfect foil to the chaotic and confident Dillinger, and the conflict between the two is a nice departure from the good vs. evil cliché that is so ubiquitous in film and literature. Dillinger takes what he wants, acts on whims, and is entirely assured of the validity of his own actions, while his counterpart is dutiful but at times plagued by doubt, is far more mindful of his actions, and a measure more callous. Good and bad men can be founds on both sides of the law, making the movie a good canvas for a struggle between order and chaos, though the movie is set up to have you rooting for the bandits.

Even though the characterization is chief appeal in this movie, it doesn't go wanting in other aspects. As is the case in any story based on real life events, the plot is simple (the twists in real life just aren't as dramatic), but the 1930s style is superbly executed. Words simply can't do justice to the classy bars and cosmopolitan cityscapes, in no small part due to the refined simplicity of the era. All I can really say is that Public Enemies really makes you feel like you've stepped back into the earlier part of the last century. They get all the little details right, and it really lends weight and reality to the setting.

Overall, this is a superb film. Between the memorable performances of Depp and Bale and the soul of the 30s permeating the screen, it is a must see. The movie doesn't really aim to send a message, so don't go in expecting anything deep. What you should expect, though, is an engrossing two hours of cat and mouse between cops and robbers, and a few characters that you aren't likely to soon forget.