Matialth
Good concept, poorly executed.
PiraBit
if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.
comps-784-38265
This was so over the top, it was almost funny, but came across as ridiculous. I do like the 'all action nonsense' genre, as long as it's not too stupid. This crosses the line into the peoples republic of cockney 'too stupid' I recall the original series was at least plausible (ish) but this goes into a rather weird parody of 'cockney villains and tough cockney coppers, innit mate" Rather a waste of some talented actors Watch once if you're bored or need a laugh 6/10
keithfmanaton
Just reading the title you can guess the story line. This is the worst cliché blokey caricature of a Neanderthal police force I've ever seen. The swearing and violence are continuous as is the misogyny. Considering the appalling current reputation of the British Police force this is probably the biggest PR disaster in years. The dialogue is as primitive and dire as the acting. Winstone and Plan B are clumsy cartoon characters of crooks playing policemen. Winstone's relationship with the lawyers wife is the most unbelievable part of the whole film. I'm actually having trouble writing anything more about this as I really feel it isn't worth of any more words. Should have gone straight to Men and Motors.
davidshort10
I really had to review this to vent my spleen. How bad is it? Let me count the ways. Long and rambling with no real plot. Doesn't the writer know about the three act structure? It was obvious from the start that there was another reason for the incident at the end of the jeweller robbery but it took the Sweeney a long time to figure it out. Winstone and his tough Cockney geezer stuff is so boring particularly now he's a fat old git. And fat old its don't get young women except in the movies and on TV and why couldn't we see her arse instead of his fat old one? The proper tension between Haskins and Regan that was in the TV series isn't there. Damian Lewis as Haskins just seems to share a lot of sympathy for Regan's approach whereas Haskins in the TV series always had an eye on upstairs, probably because he was a Superintendent not a DCI like Lewis is. And Carter in the series was a sergeant not a DC as in the film. No constable not enough a DCI could afford to live where Carter lives. They use the term 'Officer' and 'gun and badge' and 'You have the right to remain silent' which are all American terms...Did they think that would help them succeed in America when 'Sarge' and 'Inspector' and a different caution would have been understandable? And overuse of Canary Wharf is a sign of low budget and totally unrepresentative of London. It's easier and cheaper to film in CW than in real London and as a result too many films and TV feature the grim background. Carter is a joke, looks like a bum and looks like he couldn't fight out of a paper bag. The music at the end has an arrangement that nods slightly to the great theme of the TV series. I only watched it to the end because I was stuck in a strange country and had paid money to download it. What a lot of rubbish.
pete36
The big screen version of the tough Brit cop series from the seventies leaves a lot to be desired.The plot itself is paper thin and similar to 100's of other police thrillers but a good opportunity for some fine banter between the co-stars (as in the old series) and some tough action sequences. Sadly this is not the case.The main problem is the two leads : Winstone, obviously in his fifties, is simply too old and too fat for the role. You see him immediately huffing and puffing when he has to chase some bad guys trough the streets of London. The other guy, the supposed sidekick, is one of the least convincing cops you'll ever see, can't act for beans and reminds more of some hoodie from the back streets of Glasgow. Needless to say there is zero chemistry between the two actors. Rest of the cast gets equally wasted, including Damian Lewis.The action is rather OK: a chase/shootout on foot after bank robbers in broad daylight through the center of London (thank you Michael Mann) and a spectacular car chase through an abandoned caravan park (thank you Top Gear Team).So a missed opportunity altogether. Will end its life in the cheap DVD bin of supermarkets.
