Review of The Sweeney (2012) by Tom B — 18 Sep 2012

Based on the 70's T.V. series, The Sweeney is the story of a British crime unit that like to do things the hard way. And I mean hard. Starring (and I mean STARRING) Ray Winstone as Jack Regan, the gang's methods are not always popular as The Sweeney and in particular Regan's methods come under questioning by their boss Ivan (Steven Mackintosh).

Of course it doesn't help that Regan is banging his wife (Hayley Atwell, also a member of The Sweeney) behind his back (which we never find out if he knows or not). This all comes as an unneeded distraction for Regan's unit (Headed by 'oh so hot right now' Damian Lewis) as they chase a notorious thief who has a perchant for bumping off suspects just for the fun of it.

As Regan chases his prime suspect things inevitbly start going wrong. As an action film this matches anything Hollywood has to offer. It's gripping, tense and exciting and that's just the action scenes which nicely give us scenes in traditional english places (Trafalgar Square, tiny country roads, a caravan park).

It's also funny as anything too. And the casting is superb. Ray Winstone is every bit the star as the smart, gritty, foulmouthed Regan. Lewis as mentioned despite not having much of a part will no doubt bring in the US market.

And then there's Regan's assistant George Carter (Ben Drew A.K.A. Plan B) who is perfect for this role and is building up a pretty good acting CV for himself after his dark take in Harry Brown.

It does have faults but those are few, it does drag a little towards the end when the prime suspect is revealed not to be (or is he?) but thats a minor gribe. The Sweeney is one of the best drama action films you will see in 2012.

Make sure you see it.....NOWWWWWWWWWWWW!