“The Sweeney†sparkles with eye-popping action sequences, but the lackluster story ruins the retcon from slamming the door on Britain’s biggest crooks.
The film is inspired by the famous 1970s British police drama by the same name, Director Nick Love uses all the same characters created by Ian Kennedy Martin, but forgets to add the signature wit and charm that made the show a favorite in the UK.
Ray Winstone (Hugo, The Departed) plays Detective Inspector Jack Regan, a hands-on, by any means necessary type of officer. This tends to get him in trouble. His famous phrase, “Act like a criminal to catch a criminal,” is a constant concept in the film. Regan’s right-hand man is Detective Constable George Carter (Ben Drew). The two characters have amazing chemistry that will remind watchers of a modern day Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, but the execution of the story doesn’t give them enough moments to showcase their relationship as partners.
Reagan’s get the job done by any means attitude works well, but it is not how Detective Chief Inspector Ivan Lewis from Internal Affairs (Steven Mackintosh, Underworld: Evolution), likes things to be done. The two constantly butt heads. It does not help that Regan and fellow officer Nancy Lewis (Hayley Atwell), wife of the Chief Inspector, have a secret relationship.
A robbery turned murder leads Regan to go against his boss Detective Chief Inspector Frank Haskins (Damian Lewis, Homeland). Little does he know that this robbery will turn into a situation that will almost destroy his career and his relationship with Carter.
While the story feels borrowed from the original show, fans that expect the film to be as exciting and captivating as its television counterpart will be sadly disappointed by the films lack of wow factor.
Love used his resources to make this movie realistic for its time. The top priority for the film was a chase scene in London’s Trafalgar Square. It also helped that mayor Boris Johnson is a big Sweeney fan. Love got his big scene and it was filmed majestically. This is essentially the film’s biggest redeeming quality.
But there are other positive elements of the flick. Fans of the television show will love that the classic theme song by Harry South was used in the film, but was modified to a more up-tempo and grungy version. The music for the film has an array of tracks some is edgy electric dub step by producer Magnetic Man. The score by Composer Lorne Balfe (The Dark Knight Rises, Assassin’s Creed III and Megamind) sets the scene for a fun and bumpy ride, which albeit its sense of style, lacks substance.
While newcomers to the franchise will like the action and raunchy humor, original fans will desire to see the original Regan and Carter back in action once again than experience this modern-day action flick.
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