This Is England '88

The most recent (to date) of Shane Meadows's TV follow-ups to his hit film THIS IS ENGLAND, THIS IS ENGLAND '88 sees the viewer catching up with the gang some five years or so since the movie and two years since the events of THIS IS ENGLAND '86. Sadly, it's the weakest offering yet, and any interest generated in the setting and characters has long since diminished thanks to a distinct lack of originality.

I love the original film and THIS IS ENGLAND '86 had some strong, compelling moments when it eventually got going. This one doesn't. Once again, we get the dreary Lol moping around - surely this woman is one of the most depressing ever put on a TV screen? It's worse than EASTENDERS! Meanwhile, Shaun engages in an unlikely 'love triangle' plot - yeah, we had that already in '86 - while Woody attempts to lead an 'ordinary' life.

Gone is the power and compelling writing that made the earlier instalments so special. At this stage, I'm only watching because I'm interested in what happens to the characters, but it's becoming a chore to sit through. There are still great actors here - Joe Gilgun is given some great scenes at last - but the miniseries feels directionless, aimlessly delivering scenarios that are just too familiar to make an impact. And Stephen Graham's screen time is way too limited - let's hope he makes a triumphant return in THIS IS ENGLAND '90.