Adam McKay’s surprisingly entertaining and engaging look at the economic collapse of 2008 succeeds not only in explaining the complex financial machinations that led to the global meltdown, but provides also indelible portraits of greed for the 21 st century. Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Christian Bale and Brad Pitt all provide different perspectives as to what’s to be lost and gained, as well as how. While they all want to come off as sympathetic and likable, the sly performances from each let us know that they’re nothing but sharks who feign concern and conscience.