The Killing Zone

With much reservation and thought, I decided to watch The Killing Zone after the recommendation of friends. Being able to make ones own mind up and to not be swayed by popular opinion I sat down to watch another run of the mill Brit indie gangster flick. WRONG! From an great opening title sequence which thumps of sixties vibes to a great one on one monologe and into stylish underground London you know your in for something different, something special. Ian D Diaz has crafted a wonderful piece of work,which lends its theme to such sixties films as The Ipcress Files, but with a modern day story of love and betrayal. Now and again it falls victim to over enthusiastic performances, but with a great supporting cast particularly from Mark Bowden and Nicola Stapleton the treat is watching these characters interact and play off of one another. This debut feature film script by Ian Diaz is sharp and comedic in its view of a seedy London underground life and complimenting its feel is damn fine lighting, great set design and a film score which pulls you deeper into a well paced high value looking picture. We will be seeing more of these guys, I hope.

This is a great little film that does what it says on the box. Its low-budget but makes no excuses for it. It looks good, is well put together and the music is excellent. If there's one thing to criticise then maybe its some of the acting but that doesn't really make much difference to the overall package. This is a great video to watch with a pizza and a beer with some mates on a Friday night. That's what I did

If you thought 'Lock, Stock' shot itself in the foot and 'Snatch' sucked the big one, then this is the British crime thriller you should really be shelling out your five bucks for.

'The Killing Zone' is the perfect example of how a no-budget indie crime anthology should be made. It's tight, lean and the final 'third' of the trilogy is a cracker. OK, it's a slow burn for the first ten or fifteen minutes, but well worth sticking with it to get clued in on the main characters involved.

All the principal acting performances are spot on - well-rounded characters and some excellent 'film' style dialogue, which makes a pleasant and unexpected change from the usual turgid TV/theatre speak that so often pops up in British films. Melissa Simonetti and Mark Bowden stand out for special praise in this respect.

I gather this cult classic-in-the-making will be hitting the video shelves in the US at the end of Spetember. Do yourselves a favour and head for your nearest video store pronto.

Believe the hype. You won't regret it.

WHY HASN'T THIS FILM BEEN GIVEN A THEATRICAL RELEASE?!

The Killing Zone is one of the best low budget films I've seen in a long time! I'd say it's even better than that other UK gangster flick, Lock Stock! (If I see a bleached-looking film again, I'll scream!) Why on earth didn't this film get a theatrical release, lord knows? It's totally awesome!!!!! Great writing, great lighting, cool sound effects (the sound for hero's gun is wild), and the music...that should be released by itself!

And the performances - they're the bomb! Convincing, believable, funny. Yeah! I noticed even Harry Knowles and the Ain't it Cool mob loved it - you should see their review!

I loved every moment of this picture, to the way it was directed to the way it was produced- when it comes out over here in the States I urge you - my fellow Americans - to see it. Sam Fuller.

There have been a plethora of British gangster movies lately, mostly pretty awful, but this one is a pleasant surprise. Whilst highly derivative, of "Get Carter", "Pulp Fiction", "Reservoir Dogs" and a host of other titles, "The Killing Zone" is nevertheless executed with great panache. Made up of three inter-connected stories, the third one goes a little awry but still generates a good deal of tension. Fine music score by Guy Michelmore.