If The Sweeney has a very 70’s-cop-drama-feel that’s for good reason – it was based on the 70’s British TV show of the same name. This updated version gives a nod to greats of the genre like Serpico and French Connection, but also owes a debt to more modern classics like Layer Cake and even Reservoir Dogs (minus the gore).
The movie follows a group of London detectives that are part of the cloistered Flying Squad that investigates large-ring armed robberies. Yes there are some reliable cop movie crutches that are leaned on in this one (rock star cops isolated from the rest of the police department; a charismatic, “I don’t follow your rules” leader; and questionable police tactics), but clichés aside, the movie is wonderfully acted and highly entertaining.
And because this is a British movie, there is no need to fear an endless series of watered down sequels that would tarnish the original – an obvious fate The Sweeney would suffer if it had originated from Hollywood.
The Sweeney/1 DVD/112 Mins./eOne/2013
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
Beats: Independent Music, PC Gaming & Peripherals, Consumer Tech, Webmaster Tools
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