Lack of police authenticity...
... ruined this film for me.
OK, in a thriller where they screech in at the last moment to arrest the bad guys, I can buy a car with a non-existent force livery and coppers who talk like Dickson of Dock Green. But when it's a gritty, realist film *about* police officers in present-day London, then for me anyway, it really matters that certain aspects reflect reality.
Just a few... Most of London is served by The Metropolitan Police force. I just couldn't relate to the fictional 'London Police Service'. Police car liveries are inconsistent and none that I recognised as used by the Met. That's before you get me started on the references... 'Police Training College' - a police officer would say 'Hendon' - an American would still get what she was talking about, the context speaks for itself. There's no way Statham would be working again after the snooker hall incident. The killer cops angle is so unbelievable. It's as if no one could be bothered to do any research and ask real coppers for correct terminology, or what would or could happen.
Also, why make a South East London based film, and make it so racially white? Come on, it's the most diverse area of the city, for both the police force and the community. Only non-whites I recall are Falls and the hoodies at the beginning.
Can't understand how this film got such a great cast... Considine is the best thing in it, and the music, but as a thriller I just couldn't take it seriously.
Sorry if I've repeated what others have discussed at length on this forum. I love London films and hate it when my city is mis-repped!