Great because of originality, weird because of Elijah. Worth renting.

Rating: 8/10 (18 December 2009)

Just finished watching the DVD, and after watching a bunch of stupid movies this one really exceeded my expectations. I don't think a mainstream(-ish) movie has been made about this subject, but I think it deserves praise because I otherwise wouldn't know anything about football/soccer in England. I don't know if the underground of London is really like this factually, but it seemed very believable.
As the movie starts out, the editing is a little weird, and it feels like it could have been technically finessed. This feeling carries out through the rest of the movie, with unnecessary cuts and changes in angles, but it certainly subsides in the 2nd and definitely last act. The first fight scene gave me the same cathartic emotions I should have experienced watching Fight Club, and for that, I love this movie.
The cinematography isn't anything to shake a stick at, but I still noticed watching on a DVD on my laptop that things were occasionally out of focus. But I won't complain about all the long lenses used, because it was a good look. And the fight scenes made me feel like I was fighting.
The script was pretty good with structure and plot I think, because the adrenaline scenes come out of nowhere, and are a crazy surprise that involves the viewer. It was awesome to say the least. Then there were a few awkward lines of dialogue, which could be excused, but Elijah just seems to get them wrong. The British actors are all great, and even Claire Forlani as Elijah's sister. But something didn't feel right about Elijah's character: he would be a tough guy one minute and your friend the next. I would say he should work on his delivery of the lines, or maybe they are just bad lines altogether which don't fit his character. Either way, this is a major flaw in the film, because I feel the director and Elijah could have kept track of his emotions and thoughts as the film progressed, instead of playing the character at face value. Or perhaps Elijah was just miscast.
All in all, the events in the film are very well executed, and you must lend large credit to the writers, the action choreographers, and the British actors, who are too much fun to watch. This film is very accessible to a wide audience, and won't disappoint anyone who is looking for a slightly profound film as well.