very average film that's been getting incredible critical attention

Rating: 5/10 (27 September 2006)

green street hooligans has some things definitely going for it. the introduction to the world of football/soccer hooligans is an interesting adventure for the uninitiated, although the accuracy between what the real lives are like and this fictionalized world puts the film on a level with a film like fast and the furious. while the film has a good eye for fighting sequences, which should be a given considering the director was a professional karate fighter and kickboxer, the rest of the film looks like an at+t commercial.
the acting is fine all around. i don't like elijah wood's puppy dog persona in most films and i find him devoid of charm and charisma, but he's not a bad actor. same goes for most of the actors in the film. the plot is lifeless and at times laughable. if you don't see every twist and turn coming from a mile away, remind me to send you some dvds on your upcoming 10th birthday party.
although the film didn't gain wide release, the critical response has been superb. new york times loved it. ebert gave it 3 and 1/2 stars out of 4! fight club got 2. can anyone out there explain that to me?