Welcome to the Punch (15)

Film

Thrillers

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Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5
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Time Out says

Tue Mar 12

The idea of a pacy Hollywood or Hong Kong-style crime thriller set in London isn’t exactly a new one, but – James Bond aside – it just never seems to work: just think of ‘Blue Ice’, ‘Blitz’, or, God forbid, ‘Basic Instinct 2’. After his 2008 directorial debut ‘Shifty’ won critical acclaim, Eran Creevy decided to move his career up a gear and make the ultimate London action flick, and he roped in producer-adviser Ridley Scott to help him realise his vision. The result is confused, sketchily plotted and rather bland – but not a complete disaster.

James McAvoy is miscast as Max, a brooding loner cop on the trail of Mark Strong’s crime boss. The tale twists and rambles, visiting dirty cops, corrupt businesses and rival gangs. By rights, this should work a lot better than it does: it’s nicely shot, decently played (McAvoy’s muttering, try-hard turn aside) and packed with incident. But there’s simply no momentum and no tension. When it’s over, all you’ll remember is a whole lot of gunfire and shouting.

Author: Tom Huddleston

5

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Release details

Rated:

15

UK release:

Fri Mar 15

Duration:

100 mins

Cast and crew

Director:

Eran Creevy

Screenwriter:

Eran Creevy

Cast:

James McAvoy, Mark Strong, Andrea Riseborough, David Morrissey

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 3/5 (1 rating)

  • Moderately entertaining action thriller which might have been improved by better characterisation and a dab of humour. McAvoy IS miscast. I always enjoy watching Johnny Harris, who exudes an air of threat and danger as scarily as fellow Brit Stephen Graham.

    critique Thu Mar 21
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • Cris: I saw a preview of the film and I agree that McAvoy is miscast... he just doesn't feel right in the role, looks uncomfortable and we just don't feel for him emotionally as a character. Toby Smith: I disagree with you, forget that it's British, on the contrary we often get a little protective of our Brit films, this film just felt like it lacked a heart. Looked great, paced well.. but I just didn't care about the characters and what happens to them.. maybe too little back story or something.

    Seb Wed Mar 13
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  • Toby smith, I couldn't agree more.

    Cris Wed Mar 13
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  • No doubt if it was a US film you'd be salivating all over it, just the usual anti-UK film stance

    toby smith Tue Mar 12
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  • Would you explain why and how is McAvoy "miscast"? I hate this type of generalizations in reviews. It's because of his "boyish looks" or some other old cliche that a lot of journalists seem to have when judging the actor?

    Cris Tue Mar 12
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