by Matthew Martino
London action star Craig Fairbrass delivers his best performance since Rise of the Footsoldier in new movie London Heist, dominating the screen in similar fashion. A slick, no-nonsense quality British thriller this is a must buy for the army of British crime film fans waiting for their next hit – and London Heist is a shot straight in the vein.
Fairbrass plays career criminal Jack Creegan, out to avenge the murder of his father (played by screen legend Steven Berkoff) whose world explodes when he realises his whole life has been a lie and the clock is ticking for him to exact his own brand of brutal retribution before the police (lead by Nick Moran) catch up with him.
Fairbrass has always been an underrated actor with a fairly unique position as a fine performer who also had a convincing tough guy screen persona. He plays to his strengths here and delivers a layered, nuanced performance, one of the best in the genre for a long time. He’s backed by a solid supporting cast lead by old hands James Cosmo and Nick Moran.
Mark McQueen (Devil’s Playground) stages the action sequences with elan and delivers a slick, glossy movie that blends Sexy Beast with Point Break.
If you loved Rise of the Footsoldier do not miss London Heist.
THE VERDICT:
***** 5/5
