The Veteran

Overall it was a good film albeit slightly confusing at times. The main character is very likable. There seems to be one plot which is advertised - the council estate plot, and the terrorist plot. The film would have been better if it stuck to one of the plots. The lady informant character remains unresolved. I believe it could have been quite similar to Harry Brown if done well. The terrorist part of the film was a bit confusing with too many twists to keep anybody truly interested. I believe if this part had been developed it could have been similar to an American blockbuster film which would usually star Matt Damon. The main character's performance is very strong and the reactions are more realistic and believable than in most action scenes. It was a nice touch to see someone actually reload in a movie. It is still watch able but it could have been a lot better.

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

Miller (Toby Kebbell) returns home from war to the council estate he lives in, but finds it in the grip of a crime wave, perpetrated by young boys under the influence of local villain Tyrone (Ashley 'Bashy' Thomas.) Struggling to re-adjust to civilian life, he is offered a job by an old army pal to execute a government operation, headed by Gerry (Brian Cox) to take out a terrorist cell. But as he delves deeper into his mission, he finds trust may be a virtue that could cost his life.

One of the excerpts of favourable reviews printed on the back cover of The Veteran (I'm sure it was from Empire Magazine) hails it as 'Harry Brown has some competition.' While it does deal with a man standing up to crime on a troubled estate, this manages to be as much of a sub plot as the part where he takes on the government operation, and while both parts have promise, together they throw the film off course a bit, making things a bit jumbled and incoherent. A shame, since as an action film, it is quite well made, slick and stylish enough and with a tighter, more effective script than you might expect from such an obviously low budget work. Best remembered as the eccentric musical genius from RocknRolla, in the lead role Kebbell melds well into the action hero role, while as the most high profile member of the cast Cox has as much presence as ever, delivering his all even to a more minor role.

This is an ambitious, fairly effective but sadly sort of misguided effort, that does more than you expect but can't quite cover over the cracks. ***

Saw this with my girl today and enjoyed it very much. It's nothing great by any means, but it's a good little film. Toby Kebbell plays a soldier back from Afghanistan, who soon finds himself in another war, this time on his home turf. The film switches between a plot involving terrorism and a plot involving violent gangs on the estate. Both are interesting to watch and both eventually collide. The plot is something we've seen hundred's of times over but that's not to say this isn't well made. Kebbell is very good in the lead role and can certainly carry a film. The supporting actors perform well enough too but nowhere near Kebbell's standards. The gun-heavy climax is gritty and well done, if you don't take it too seriously of course. Me and the missus were the only ones in the cinema, so I'm guessing this will probably die a death while it's on the big screen. Overall a violent, over-the-top but entertaining Brit flick, not to be taken seriously but not to be ignored. ***/*****

I just watched this film, and it was way better then what some of the reviews on here indicated. Sure as like most films it is nothing new, no Oscars will be handed out, but it had me watching with interest from start till the end.

Sure it had some slow parts in it, but the story line was solid, acting was good, and the pile of bodies made up for the slow parts.

The British do these kind of films well, most of their cop shows are well done, and they are very good at making crime films.

Like I said no Oscar on its way, but a hell of lot better then the crap that has been coming out of Hollywood this year.

Solid 8 out of 10

I also agree that the British seem do this genre well. The principal actor did a fine job a very good job..earned every dollar. Another character's premises that the war on terrorism is all about GOD (guns,oil and drugs), used to keep people in control and in fear for economic reasons, is most likely, reality. Yet what I found most interesting was how how accurately the movie depicts the real present day London as an extremely somber, soul-sucking urban far-scape.. IMHO, it all sucks; the food, the atmosphere, everything..Woof. Sorry! And this treatment certainly rams that home. The shootout at the climax was a chilling, honestly portrayed rendition of violence, spot on... I found it to be a sad, uncomfortable, yet thought provoking and extremely entertaining movie. Job well done!