The Intent

If you're going to make a film featuring cops and gangsters you need to have believability on both sides of the fence.

Unfortunately, it seems that a large (over the top) amount of effort was put into the gangster swagger, attitude and lingo - but no effort put into understanding or acting for the police or family outside the gangs. There were some good strong characters in this, but they were overshadowed by some of the laughably poor abilities of others.

Final nail in the coffin was the ending - abrupt and lacking in depth. It just completely ran out of steam.

Sat home innit. Board, heard of this title through a homie. WHAT!!! This was supposed to be a gritty film not a playschool/jackanory title. Seriously..Whoever gave it some high ratings must either be deluded or high on calpol. I agree with the other reviews. Only waste your time if you want to loose an hour or so of your life. I turned it off after around 54 mins. That was 53 mins too long.Some of the tunes were OK. The wardrobe was OK in places.Make up well they did a good job on the boys. The idea was clique been there, done it and I have the t-shirt. The camera work and pull were decent enough as was the Directing but it was wasted on the story or lack of and as I say the wooden acting the director can only do SO much. You can lead a horse to water...

Too many bad actors ruined what could have been a decent film. Over the top dialect which is sometimes confusing. The plot and story are actually very good but it's let down by the poor cast. Too much street talk for me too.

OK, as mentioned in some reviews, a couple of the actors can actually act, though it seems to be a youth project with no one older than 30 playing in it, except the Maliks and the mother. Particularly implausible was a congregation filled entirely with teenager extras. Some of the soundtrack works, motorbike camera work as well and the tension at the meet in the pool-hall at the end is fairly palpable. As for the rest of it, particularly every scene involving the police - unshaven, with terrible uniforms/wardrobe and a potty-mouthed script every ten words - obviously no member of the Cast and Crew has ever watched an old episode of The Bill, if so, you would have been able to write and deliver a script that had some resemblance of the professionalism of the police force. As for the casting of the Sergeant, Miss Akokhia, well, saving the best for the end. Do not waste your time watching this stereotyping, guttural tosh.

The filmmakers and its crew at least have a base from which to start which isn't bad considering. Location fine, casting okay and story a bit too simple, but easy enough to execute. Flaws are no believable characters or characterization, so no real reason to love, loathe or like the TIC crew, the Police or the 'other lot'. Even the exceptionally snarling lead character wasn't NASTY enough, and no, "I don't know who the *#@$ he is" either. Script needed a shed-load of revising, as not even the POLICE in FIREMAN SAM, EASTENDERS or TELLY TUBBIES talk, behave or are briefed like that. "Morning officers..." err no! Could've and should've been tighter...but hopefully the mob behind this one will progress on to bigger and brighter things.

3/10 NICE EFFORT