A modern-day remake of the hit TV show from the mid seventies, this British crime flick has lost none of the macho swagger, hard-boiled action and dubious morals that made its source material a fan favourite three and a half decades ago. Following the exploits of the London Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad, colloquially known as the Sweeney, writer-director Nick Love makes up for his predictable plot (which has more holes than a bullet-ridden car) by absolutely nailing the set pieces - the public Heat-esque shoot out in Trafalgar Square is outstanding - and ensuring there's never a long wait until the next loud car chase, stylish gun battle or lashing of the old ultra-violence. Ray Winstone's role as archaic Detective Inspector Jack Regan, whose methods of catching crooks is under heavy scrutiny, is the sort of gruff, don't-give-a-crap part that Winstone has perfected - although here his annoyingly forced upon accent is often hard to bear - whilst Ben Drew, aka Brit rapper Plan B, is charismatic enough to hide the lack of depth given to his second-in-charge Detective Constable George Carter. There's not much substance to this gritty thriller, but with its finely executed action sequences, unrelenting pace and cracking soundtrack, it's a greatly entertaining simple pleasure.
Review of The Sweeney
