The Veteran

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 actually had this film and another British 'grit' film - a Jason Statham film- 'Blitz' at the same time. I knew a little about The Veteran and and just didn't feel like watching it since I assumed it was going to be dark. It is that. However, when I actually got my finger out and started playing it- it really grabbed me by the manhood within seconds. Literally. Yes this is a heavy film, but is it something you want to watch? Yes. Is it entertaining, very- it has intrigue, drama and action. The human element of the main character is portrayed excellently by Toby Kebbell who I had seen some months earlier in the Guy Ritchie gangsta powerflick 'RocknRolla'.

I think it's useful to actually bring up Ritchie here, due to its links with Kebbell- and for that matter Statham's 'Blitz' which is a form of dark Ritchie film actually. What they all have in common is the grim underbelly of London and the disturbed inwards of British society. Unlike Ritchie's MTV approach, The Veteran has a hugh scope- a true comment on modern society, civilisation, morality... I could go on... REALLY heavy subjects which are explored with the vigour of a novel. In fact, this film would have probably been better as a novel- some of the labyrinthine plot does not take on first viewing, but I saw that as indicative of the confused state of morals, politics, loyalty and judgements that the film centres on. In this respect Kebbell's hard but traumatised soldier is a great piece of acting and a fantastic vehicle for a mixture of action/thriller entertainment and social commentary.

The conflicting opinions about the movie Blitz are typical of the state British cinema finds itself in right now. On one hand you have the type of Lock, Stock Brad Pitt 'ultraviolence' and crime-glorification popcorn for the Hollywood market. The Transporter, Crank and so on are also in the same vein you could argue- pretty soulless Statham nonsense. Blitz as a film is halfway between that and this. And what is this?

Well, it is the other hand. Something British cinema can actually be proud of, it has depth. It does not wallow in 'cool' Tarantino style violence and gore- instead it uses ultra-realistic action scenes (helped by the military/espionage storyline) to get into the heart of the British (read 'western') battlefield of crime, corruption, terrorism... and well, watch it and find out. In many ways, you might almost class this as a post-apocalyptic film, it echoes 1984 and generic Orwellian dystopia. Man up and watch it, give it just minutes and you'll be hooked.

Whether this type of film or the Ritchie style will gain control over Britain's cinematic soul remains to be seen.

The plot as such seems realistic, but there are several unrealistic scenes - above all, related to shadowing and final shooting. The total conspiracy is also difficult to follow at times. It gloomy and gray background is probably meant to stress the overall mood, but it becomes annoying in the course of time. The very ending is too sudden as well.

And, as we do here with a so-called solo film (the leading character always visible), the selection of Toby Kebbell was probably not the best - he is short of charisma and particular features needed for such a role. Brian Cox and Tom Brooke were more catchy to follow; anyhow, murkiness and low spirits were too prevailing.

As a film in general, it is okay, perhaps even more, but for a British thriller, it is rather mediocre - just remember films by Guy Ritchie, for example.

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 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!