Review of Spooks: The Greater Good (2015) by Phil P — 07 May 2015

"I want to know everything you know".

A film based on a long running TV show, sure to disappoint fans. In most cases at least. Squeezing the excitement and intrigue of even a 5 or 6 episode season (UK standard it seems) isn't easy. In these cases it's probably best not to be a fan - case in point here I have barely any prior knowledge of 'Spooks' other than it was/is a TV show. Although the old adage "strictly for the fans" can still apply iv'e actually found that in a lot of cases they disappoint.

Things are quickly established how this movie (and by assumption TV series) plays out. Slow burns of encroaching threats. Showing the a group of bikers well before they hit the target you know it's coming. It focuses on the dialogue the action is secondary, some conversation are meandering atypical to the spy game. some with purpose. 'Spooks: The Greater Good' uses the talents of 'Kit Harrington' as a former dismissed Mi5 operative brought back in to find his former superior - and through promises of answers about his dads death agrees to track down the former head.

Given some indication of past friendship and conflict it was obvious how it would play out between the two - with the friendship winning out. At moments it works well and thanks to strong performances between the two help it along but some of the dialogue choices border on the routinely cliché.

It occasionally shines with drop sequences and the final 20 minutes mixing tension with action - without it aping other films (something that reviewers seemed to bothered that it doesn't). Spooks is very much its own thing.

Some of the time the intrigue is lost because of unsatisfying outcomes. But the build ups are often worth it. The thing I respect the most about 'Spooks: The Greater Good' is (as iv'e said) is it's very much its own thing. With the move to the big screen there was potentially a need to be more 'Bourne' like. It resists this and I feel it benefits from that. It doesn't hit on anything particularly new but its a worthy watch, it doesn't feel desperate. Something this genre at times seems to throw out.