Anti-Social

Today I decided to get around to watch Anti-Social, a British film, written and directed by Reg Travvis (Screwed). I had heard of Anti- Social around its release time due to one of its stars being Mr Josh Myers, a very cool guy who has featured in a few films that I watched and talked about. Namely Green Street 3 (Dir by James Nunn), White Collar Hooligan 3 (Dir by Paul Tanter) and Screwed (Dir by Reg Travvis). Josh s career is one that I am following as each role I've seen him in, he always gives his all to the character. Anti-Social is no different in that regard although the film itself is very different from 90% of UK films I have seen lately, and actually 90% different from most films.

I knew nothing of the storyline going into the film (I like to preserve that element in most films I watch) I knew the title, and had seen the front cover and of course knew some of the cast list. Other than those small details, I went into this film cold and it benefited me totally. Whilst the film doesn't have any 'major plot twists' what Anti-Social does brilliantly is let the story unfold over its running time. You watch characters do what they do and the story unfolds without any feeling of 'Oh I can see where this is headed' . I loved that about Anti-Social. It wasn't confusing and yet I had no idea where the storyline was going to go, and where it did go was done to perfection.

So often films are packaged as 'for fans of…' in the hope they can be sold lazily to the viewer. Anti-Social is a serious gritty, adult natured thriller which if I had to do the awful thing if labelling it for an easy sell. Id perhaps say its part Kidulthood, Part Julian Gilbeys Plastic. But more openly I would just tell you that Anti-Social is not just a really engaging story with great performances.(Gregg Sulkin as Dee, and Andrew Shim as Jason, to name two) But Anti-Social is also a damn fine piece of filmmaking.

The least you can say about Anti-Social is that it is not boring. For that there is just too much going on, with alot of action scenes like the robberies and pursuits. So entertaining it is, no doubt about that. The story is a bit glamorising gang activities and easy money, pretty sure the big cities' local youth will love this movie as it shows how easily you can get free money. But it also shows it never ends well so I guess there is a lesson at one point. The acting is not bad, but not great from everyone either. If you're looking for some fast paced mindless action this movie might do the trick.

I feel that, like most people, I have begun to rely on user reviews much more than so called "critic" reviews. Before the internet, we were all kind of beholden to what the experts said and many times the reviews were misleading. Large blockbusters were typically panned, and slow indie dramas were universally acclaimed. The reviews were filled with fancy and unnecessary adjectives and never really told us what type of audience would enjoy the movie. And for the most part, user reviews and ratings are much more accurate for whatever reason. So I was a little surprised at the great reviews and nearly a 7 rating this movie has been getting. I think a 5 / 10 is much more appropriate.

For me, this movie was much closer to an amateur film, than an indie film. The other reviews and rating led me to believe that the film would be closer the Guvnors, We Still Kill the Old Way, the Sweeny or Football Factory. Violent films of the British underworld that are solid and have respectable acting, but never get to the "classic" level of Lock, Stock or Snatch. These movies are entertaining and keep you engaged, but never achieve the level of your favorites.

Anti-social did not deliver based on the other user reviews and its high rating. I try to give films the benefit of the doubt and maybe I am being harsh because of what I expected, but for me this movie would be a pass. The acting is rather stilted and contrived. I have not researched the actors who play the two main brothers, but I have to believe that they are not seasoned actors. The actions scenes were not nearly gritty enough and cut away right when the actual hit would take place. And the ending left me unsatisfied, although I kept hoping for a realistic close.

I feel as though the movie suffered from a very small budget and was annoyed the reviews did not prepare me for this. If you do give this movie a try, expect more of a low budget made for TV film, rather than a B movie on teenage gangsters.

Dee (Gregg Sulkin) is a graffiti artist who wants to go to Berlin with his girlfriend to further his graffiti art studies. He doesn't associate with his brother's dangerous activities like breaking into jewelry stores with some other hoodrats. It's great seeing the gun shootouts and chase scenes. My heart was literally beating out of my chest during this airport scene near the end of the movie. Have fun with this movie! I watched it on Netflix.

This movie is a real hard attempt to gain a pop following. The problem is it's done so cheesy it's hard to like it and most certainly will never obtain the kind of fandom a movie like snatch obtained. It starts out in one of the beginning scenes where they are being chased for spray painting a wall and they light the smallest most worthless fire and the guards chasing them stop to put out the smallest fire that has no possibility of growing as it's nothing more than a few sheets of newspaper. At the same time they show this robbery that is so unbelievable it's hard to take it seriously. The opening scene basically shows how poorly put together this movie is. I know, it wants to be Hollywood and anything can happen, but even a Hollywood writer knows better than to add something that lame. At least in Hollywood they would have magically created a real fire to slow down the guards instead of a fire the equivalent of the comics section because frankly the lameness of it made me laugh and say OK that was bad. I am surprised I made it all the way through the movie as frankly the movie was boring, totally unrealistic, filled with clichés, had poor dialog and bad acting. Even the supposedly artistic scenes in the movie are simply uninteresting as they try to make this kid out to be the next banksy with his stencil "street art" that seems as bland as can be. As he is instantly having all his pieces preserved. You become bored in the dialog written by people who don't really know street art because they have never done it trying to sound "deep" in talking about it. I assure you if his works were being preserved it's because they are already worth massive value. Yet he can't seem to make a dime and needs a sponsor to you know help him make money. Logic really starts to fall apart at the end of the movie but i'm not going to spoil it. I gave this move a 5 which frankly is being generous. A lot of effort into a poor script that was badly acted out. There are much better movies to watch and this is 2 hours you won't ever get back.