Johnny Depp shows, once again, that he can make criminals cool and lovable.

His new film, “Public Enemies,” romanticizes the gangster genre by telling the tale of John Dillinger, emphasizing his dedication to friends and the woman he loves. The love story is heartwarming, as Depp radiates ultra-smooth charm throughout each scene, making the movie a great choice for a date or by yourself. But don’t forget, this is a movie about a bunch of murdering bank robbers.

The gun play is harsh and realistic, staying bloody and brutal as the bullets fly. Unlike milder forms of shooting scenes, action sequences in “Public Enemies” aren’t slowed down to show the bullets float through the air. Instead, they impact with authority to cause gruesome exit wounds that bring back the proper image that guns kill. The historical character, Dillinger, fraternizes with bank robbers then races back across state lines to carouse the night away and woo the women, hiding from the law in plain sight.

The pace of the movie can feel a bit slow at times, but it keeps viewers interested without having to throw in superfluous slapstick or poorly written action sequences. The way the film is shot feels as if you’re wandering around in the scenes, rather than sitting in a movie theater. The costumes stay true to the times, and the dialogue is delivered in the fashion of the ’30s, giving the film a wonderful authentic touch. The suits and hats in the movie are pulled off with style and glamour and made me want to go out and dress like I was in “The Syndicate.”

While Depp portrays Dillinger believably enough that he’ll probably get an Oscar nod, the rest of the cast is also amazing. Christian Bale (The Dark Knight) is Melvin Purvis, the lawman in charge of hunting down Dillinger even while he loses himself in the chase. Billy Crudup (Watchmen) shines as the imposing J. Edgar Hoover, and Stephen Graham (Snatch) shows the sadistic and cruel side of gangsters as the murderous Baby Face Nelson. In one particular scene, Nelson cackles while delivering one of the darkest comical lines of the film: “I got one!” while brutally mowing down a policeman, seen through a window across the street from the bank they are robbing, with his Tommy Gun.

There are a lot of blockbusters scheduled for 2009, and there have been a lot of let downs so far, but “Public Enemies” doesn’t disappoint.

“Public Enemies” is a love story of dedication and bank-robbing with style, featuring an epic man-hunt across the nation, which delivers an ending as poetic as Braveheart. All these things make a winning combination, making “Public Enemies” a must-see for your summer free time.

Showtimes

Cinemark Movies 12

Thursday

12:35 p.m., 3:55 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 8:55 p.m., 10:20 p.m.

Friday and Saturday

12:10 p.m., 3:35 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 10:00 p.m.