Review of Rise of the Footsoldier (2007) by Jack L — 12 May 2017

I couldn't disagree with the critics more. For starters the action in it is relentless from start to finish. A lot of people have criticised it for being too violent and foul mouthed. Well it's based on a real life man, Carlton Leach, who went from football hooligan, to bouncer, to underworld enforcer so really, what did you expect? This is how real life, working class, east end London criminals talk.

The acting is brilliant, it includes a lot of big names from British film and television. The special effects are spot on and not too overpowering and the cinematography is really quite beautiful, although understandably often in a gory and brutal fashion in keeping with the film.

This film is ultimately a snapshot into the real workings of the criminal underbelly of Britain and gives you an insight into the kind of mentality of the people who run it. There is plenty of blunt and crass humour throughout the film and despite the almost non-stop action, it never takes away from the engaging drama of the storyline.