New Blood

This was not a terrible film. It was merely a poor execution of current noir film styles. The pacing was slow. The script was melodramatic in places. It is unfortunate that the dramatic pause has become an overused device. The lighting was film school quality at best. Just because the subject matter is "dark" doesn't mean that I should be unable to see the actors. The editor seemed to be overly entertained by nifty but superfluous techniques. Much like a verbal pause, the film pause can become tiresome and overused. I cannot blame the actors for their flat delivery, I have seen them all in other films giving dynamic and believable performances. If the actors were doing what they were told, then we have to blame the director. The plot was very contrived. It took elements from a number of hit movies (Usual Suspects and City on Fire among them) and smothered them. A number of clichés were employed in an attempt to make us care about the characters. They all failed. In a three dimensional world, two dimensional plots get you nowhere.

Quite how this great little movie has slipped undetected is a mystery. A great cast bring real life to a wonderfully twisty narrative that whilst inevitably drawing comparisons to Tarantino and Guy Richie by the nature of the genre, appears fresh and exciting. Don't be put off by the straight to video title, Hurst's ability as a writer is more than matched by his skill behind the camera and he never loses his grip on a story that in other hands might have become a tedious and confusing mess. This is story telling at its best.

I didn't catch the very beginning but it was easy to see the plot. One thing that i wondered about in this film was the fact that Nick Moran sounded like an englishman doing an American accent, not a very convincing one! And I also thought this was pointless because John Hurt was English in the film. Dunno if i missed something but i think it would have been easier for Nick Moran just to have been English too because that accent wasn't good at all. Apart from that it was a decent film but not the best I've ever seen. I did like all the plot twists though and they fitted together well and the general acting was good. One to watch but not particularly remember!

This movie looks a lot like the great movie Lock stock & two smoking barrels. The brilliant script is it´s strength and it throws you from one conclusion to another several times. Also, the acting is superb. Nick Moran, just to mention one of all the stars this film features, has never been better. Those of you who liked "Lock Stock..." must run and see this as soon as it hits the screens! (I had the opportunity to see it in the International filmfestival of Stockholm)

Only some gunfights scenes are worth in this UK crime flick. Directing is so confused, so is the story telling, and acting totally lousy. Sometimes I got bored, sometimes not, it is very difficult to pronounce some opinion, good or bad. This is a first film, and in very fashion in the early 2000's, in the Guy Ritchie mode. It remained more or less this way during the decade, and even further. With lesser results. John Hurt presence doesn't help at all. But you can try.