The Killing Zone

With much reservation and thought, I decided to watch The Killing Zone after the recommendation of friends. Being able to make ones own mind up and to not be swayed by popular opinion I sat down to watch another run of the mill Brit indie gangster flick. WRONG! From an great opening title sequence which thumps of sixties vibes to a great one on one monologe and into stylish underground London you know your in for something different, something special. Ian D Diaz has crafted a wonderful piece of work,which lends its theme to such sixties films as The Ipcress Files, but with a modern day story of love and betrayal. Now and again it falls victim to over enthusiastic performances, but with a great supporting cast particularly from Mark Bowden and Nicola Stapleton the treat is watching these characters interact and play off of one another. This debut feature film script by Ian Diaz is sharp and comedic in its view of a seedy London underground life and complimenting its feel is damn fine lighting, great set design and a film score which pulls you deeper into a well paced high value looking picture. We will be seeing more of these guys, I hope.

The Killing Zone is one of the best low budget films I've seen in a long time! I'd say it's even better than that other UK gangster flick, Lock Stock! (If I see a bleached-looking film again, I'll scream!) Why on earth didn't this film get a theatrical release, lord knows? It's totally awesome!!!!! Great writing, great lighting, cool sound effects (the sound for hero's gun is wild), and the music...that should be released by itself!

And the performances - they're the bomb! Convincing, believable, funny. Yeah! I noticed even Harry Knowles and the Ain't it Cool mob loved it - you should see their review!

I loved every moment of this picture, to the way it was directed to the way it was produced- when it comes out over here in the States I urge you - my fellow Americans - to see it. Sam Fuller.

There have been a plethora of British gangster movies lately, mostly pretty awful, but this one is a pleasant surprise. Whilst highly derivative, of "Get Carter", "Pulp Fiction", "Reservoir Dogs" and a host of other titles, "The Killing Zone" is nevertheless executed with great panache. Made up of three inter-connected stories, the third one goes a little awry but still generates a good deal of tension. Fine music score by Guy Michelmore.

This is a great little film that does what it says on the box. Its low-budget but makes no excuses for it. It looks good, is well put together and the music is excellent. If there's one thing to criticise then maybe its some of the acting but that doesn't really make much difference to the overall package. This is a great video to watch with a pizza and a beer with some mates on a Friday night. That's what I did

Stop the presses - I just saw the most awesome film! For all you film buffs out there who consider yourselves aficionados of great cult classics, remove yourselves from the hall of fame if you haven't packed your pieces and entered into The Killing Zone.

It was a Friday night like any other - having seen like every worthy cult classic at the corner video store; I was forced into the mundane void of new-release land. What is that section all about? The Million copies of `Gweneth In Love With Herself' and `I Married A Warner Brothers Executive' stranded me in a sea of schlock. I was drowning! Throw me a life-vest (preferably without Leo DiCaprio attached!) My hand stretched out towards this brightly colored indie film cover. Saved, but by no means out of danger.

Watching The Killing Zone I was immediately transported to that feeling you get when you know you are watching an underground classic for the first time. Repo Man, Blue Velvet, She's Gotta Have It. You know this one is going to stay with you and provide an endless supply of super cool tag lines to get you out of sticky situations.

`I'm not a happy-bunny.'

`You don't need a gun to sell a computer!'

And one that I'll be firing at American Express next time they call:

`Ya don't wanna vex me, ya don't wanna f**ck with me!'

This London Crime Thriller is the real thing, and makes Guy Ritchie's films look like a tourist trip around Buckingham Palace on a Double Decker Bus. If you've seen Snatch, you'll know what I mean!

With worthy performances by Padraig Casey & Nicola Stapleton, and an exceptional performance by Mark Bowden with his witty English take on The Surfer Dude icon, this film is a whomping triumph for talented newcomers. Forget Barry Sears, if you really want to be `in your zone,' get into `The Killing Zone'.