Review of Welcome to the Punch (2013) by Jeffrey M — 10 Oct 2013

Welcome to the Punch is the perfect example of a film too enamored with its own supposed cleverness. Set in against the backdrop of a criminal London underworld, the film follows a complex heist gone wrong storyline, one that quickly delves in to a web of political intrigue and relentless violence.

Welcome of the Punch has all of the hallmarks of a dramatic noir-type genre piece. There is an abundance of wide-angle shots, a palpable tension, saturated colors, an atmospheric tone, and a methodical pace. Visually, the film is actually fairly impressive, capturing a stylized London in a gritty, yet eerie way, not unlike the great Michael Mann films. This is the good.

The problem, however, is that the film essentially makes no sense. The plot is absurdly convoluted, disjointed, and incoherent. The characters talk with a deep-rooted intensity, and the actions seem as if there should be weight, yet it all falls on deaf ears because of one simple problem- the narrative. The film seems to get so caught up on its own supposed wit and cleverness, that the writers never realized the need for fleshed out characterizations and through-lines. The film simply goes past its audience, assuming we are fascinated with whatever is transpiring, meanwhile forgetting the need to fill us in on the way. In the end, the reveal demonstrates a silly premise, with no pay off. It's a Michael Mann style film with Tyler Perry level writing.

The action also never works. It feels to randomized and needless to have any weight. The action scenes feel over-dramatized and over-written, as if so say-wasn't that audacious?

In the end, a definite misfire.

2/5 Stars.