Sexy Beast

I love the original and I thoroughly enjoyed this. Seeing the young characters and picking up on how they became the characters in film is a joy to watch. Every actor is excellent, however it to a while to fully appreciate Gal but it happened. It's funny, brutal and why the negatives I honestly don't know. Take it for what it is, it's not the film doesn't try to be, just enjoy it. The sound track is superb, the cars, Don's sister is amazing. I've seen a lot lot worse, Teddy Bass is on par with Lovejoy himself and you see him how he really is, not just a bit part. Once your a few episodes in you won't be disappointed.

If you've not started this yet, and not watched the film, I'd suggest watch the film. When I heard they were making a show I thought leave it out. I watched the trailer for the show and thought OK, I'll give it go. I must say it's pretty damn good, it's so much fun and a right laugh. I love the characters, and as other reviewers have said Gal and Don are excellent. In the film you get 'the full fat' version of Don, in this he's a kind of skinny latte version, but giggle so much knowing what he becomes. Tamsin Greig who plays Cecilia is another stand out, her character is wonderful, I love her and she loves dropping the C Bomb. Personally all the characters are fun and it's a show, like Slow Horses that doesn't take itself too seriously. I'm thoroughly enjoying this show, especially as there's not much on barring True Detective and Masters of the Air that I watch. As for the low reviews, they can judge of course, the best critic is yourself, it doesn't float their boat, but please don't let that put you off. If you love British humour, the C Bomb dropping every episode and the so so violent scenes, I trust this will float your boat. A solid 8/10 from me or your money back.

It seems to me that these days any show that needs you to think gets a bad rating.

This show is incredible. Great characters, great acting, great plot, it's very intelligent.

Centre of the show is a calm, cool, intelligent nice guy whose a thief. His best friend is a loose cannon whose controlled by a dominant woman.

You've got ruthless killers on both sides of a feud and you have no idea how things are going to pan out. Does our central character get pulled into the feud or, with his intelligence, avoid the conflict.

It's only three episodes in but I just can't wait for the next one.

Anybody calling this show average or worse lacks intelligence in my opinion.

The show grew on me as the episodes and story got flowing. A few things made no sense and the double cross is always on in this saga. IF you haven't seen the movie, you don't need to understand the plot here. The movie is solid setup to the movie characters. It's all classic gangster stuff. If you don't like fights, hot women, shootings, and crazy characters, this isn't the show for you. The violence is there, not gratuitous but it's a daily part of their world. Some amazing acting here. It's really a story about using others for your own needs.

It sets up the movie moments. Tamsin Grieg is brilliant as the controlling sister. Best part of the series is her manipulation. Sarah Greene, meh...just not voluptuous, sexy nor pretty enough to be the porn star. They dress her up but she doesn't have body to pull off the role. Sarah, sure she can act but not believable. It would have been better if she and Eliza Bennet has switched roles. Eliza is solid as the girlfriend lost in the clouds and can't see that Gal's a pretty bad boy. Eliza look more the DeeDee of the movie.

Stephen Moyer is another good ruthless guy who is out to make his move to the top using Gal and Don.

Our anti-hero Gal (James McArdle) just preens throughout...tough to cheer for his success. Way too much smiling and hair. Emun is brilliant as pycho Don. You know where all the capers are heading to set up the movie. It's a solid show to enjoy. I wouldn't even mind a 2nd of this.

The film and its cast were a tough act to follow. The series tries to be as stylish but somehow misses the mark on occasion. It feels a little more low rent than the movie and say other similar series such as The Gentleman. However most of the characters are solid and the performances on the whole are good. With a bit of time you can get over some of its flaws, it doesn't seem to know what period in time it's set in for one. But the story picks up and the characters become more interesting and it ends up a decent romp.

Give it time and it finds its way and your patience is rewarded with a solid gangster story.