In cinemas April 15th!
Adapted from the 2012 film inspired by the 1970s TV show, 'The Sweeney: Paris' (otherwise known as 'The Squad' or 'Anti-Gang', depending on your location) is the story of Serge Buren and his unorthodox police unit as they attempt to bring a gang of armed-robbers to justice by any means possible...
The result is a capable, if somewhat generic, crime thriller/drama. With some clear reverence for the material (the film rather than the television show), the film follows many plot points of the original, as well as numerous films that have come before in this genre. So much so, it's almost a wonder why anybody bothered to put the effort in to this production. In the hands of director Benjamin Rocher however, the action is as deft as the characters themselves, offering fight sequences and set-pieces that are both frequent and attention grabbing. It is also not without it's fair share of humour - most notably in the banter and camaraderie of the titual squad - and, if you scratch beneath the surface, a surprising trace amount of heart.
The result is a capable, if somewhat generic, crime thriller/drama. With some clear reverence for the material (the film rather than the television show), the film follows many plot points of the original, as well as numerous films that have come before in this genre. So much so, it's almost a wonder why anybody bothered to put the effort in to this production. In the hands of director Benjamin Rocher however, the action is as deft as the characters themselves, offering fight sequences and set-pieces that are both frequent and attention grabbing. It is also not without it's fair share of humour - most notably in the banter and camaraderie of the titual squad - and, if you scratch beneath the surface, a surprising trace amount of heart.
Anybody hoping to see Ray Winstone reprise his role with a French accent as he tackles the French criminal underworld with his fists, though, will be sorely disappointed. Instead, the honour of top-billing goes to Jean Reno (Leon; The Da Vinci Code) who remains as reliable as ever as the grizzled veteran, contributing the majority of the aforementioned heart when the case becomes a tad more personal. The show is stolen out from under him however by Alban Lenoir. Relatively unknown - outside of his native land, at least - Lenoir is the source of both the film's best moments of action and comedy, including quips aplenty and a running gag about, um, running....
For all this, the sum of its parts don't quite manage to equal a successful whole. Proceedings remain mostly predictable (and therefore unsuspenseful) throughout, with some interactions and developments falling flat and, outside of a wonderful, tension-relieving ringtone, a score that leaves a lot to be desired.
For all this, the sum of its parts don't quite manage to equal a successful whole. Proceedings remain mostly predictable (and therefore unsuspenseful) throughout, with some interactions and developments falling flat and, outside of a wonderful, tension-relieving ringtone, a score that leaves a lot to be desired.
All in all, it will no doubt please fans of both the original film and series, as well as those with a general fondness for the genre. But for anybody else, 'The Sweeney: Paris' is merely a decent, familiar, if underwhelming, way to spend a few hours.
Review by Jay Thomas.
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