The Crew (2008) User Reviews

More Confusing Than Complex

[LeonLouisRicci · 5/10 · 24 December 2013]

Movies from across the Pond are occasionally Excellent and they do tend to be Proud of their Gangster and Comedy Films that can sometimes influence Hollywood. Here is another in a current trend of Organized Crime Thrillers, British Style. These generally fall into two Categories. Wink and Smirk, Guy Ritchie Types, or Dirty and Gritty. This one is the Latter.

It is definitely Dirty. Not only in its Look and Tone but Sexually Speaking. Trouble is that while attempting to be Realistic and Unfettered, the Unfiltered Lens shows some Ugly, Disturbing, Disgusting, and Perverted Scenes that seem Staged for nothing more than to Elevate the Bar of Bad Taste.

One such Scene is so Brutal that its not only Annoying but asks the question Why?, than the Realization come along, that it is just a not so Subtle way to separate this abhorrent Behavior, from the other Lesser abhorrent Behavior, so the Audience can side with the more Civilized Criminal. The one who is Married, wears tailored Suits, has a Son, and doesn't do Drugs.

The Plot is Unforgivably Confusing and there are Scenes and Subplots so Undeveloped that the whole thing just Collapses and takes on a Complexity that is more Frustrating than Intriguing.

Violent With All The Faults Of British Cinema From The Period

[Theo Robertson · 5/10 · 5 February 2014]

Another British film from the early 21st Century and like so many other Brit flicks it revolves around a bunch of hardened gangsters

" Wow Theo I think you might have to elaborate ? "

Do I have to ? To be fair it's not one of those embarrassing Guy Ritchie inspired comedy gangster movies that tries and fails to bring a smile to the audiences face . Well it does but these scenes are so intermittent and forgettable that they're forgotten about by the half way stage of the next scene

You certainly won't feel like laughing much because this is foul mouthed brutal stuff . Characters are incapable of opening their mouths without a stream of expletives come gushing out . That's not when they're torturing , beating or murdering one another and some scenes merely exist to shoehorn some explicit mindless violence just in case the audience get bored without ten minutes of graphic violence . Perhaps the producers should concentrated on developing the story a bit more

This is one of two problems with THE CREW . As other people have been quick to point out the film is trying to be complex but just ends up confused as rival firms cross , double cross and triple cross one another so much so that you'll be lost as to why the latest victim is getting ripped off or tortured . By having a Serbian gang as one of the protagonists you're also reminded of LAYER CAKE and how much superior that was to the Ritchie wannabes

The second fundamental fault is that the entire look of the film . Again other commentators have brought it up and that is the film never appears cinematic and resembles something shown on Channel 4 at tea time . Did someone mention HOLLYOAKS ? Try and imagine HOLLYOAKS with the F and C words in every sentence along with frequent maimings and murders and you've got a rough idea what THE CREW resembles on a visual level

Heavy and over ambitious Liverpool set crime film

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 4/10 · 10 September 2009]

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

Liverpool crime boss Ged Brennan (Scot Williams) has built a successful and respected life for himself on the back of a life of crime but bad intelligence on his last scam lead to it all being a waste of time. Even worse, a figure head of crime in his local area has just turned up dead and the hunt is on for who did it. But Ged's planning to get back into the game with his biggest heist yet- but the threat of betrayal all around him is becoming a real problem.

All the ingriedients were here for a perfect crime film- realistic and brutal, The Crew on paper must have seemed perfect. But while it's far from an awful attempt to bring the world of the Liverpool crime scene to life, it still feels like a bit of a mess and like it falls short of what it first set out to do. And even worse, it seems to be one of those films where the trailer has made it look more exciting than it really is.

The main problem is how disjointed and incoherent it all feels, with the main story and the sub plot seeming to morph over each other and taking up too much time, and with the film running at maybe a bit too ambitious just under two hours, this is even more of a problem. While I understand the film intended to be brutal and hard hitting, a tooled up gang in forensic outfits filming their slaughter of a group of drug addicts in a flat, a scene where a male and female junkie are made to perform sleazy sex acts for and on two crooks with bisexual leanings and a leary Scots character who gets his thrills from strippers and fat hookers all feel a tad gratuitous and added merely for shock value. Far from awful, but could have been a lot better if done with a bit more restraint and focus. **

This might be a good movie for some

[garlick_2 · 4/10 · 24 January 2009]

Typical Brit Gangster Movie Plot: Someone has a job they need done so they can get out of the game, they hire a crew to do it, some hijinx ensue, and it's a rockin good time.

This movie: A crew boss has a big job he needs done so he can get out of the game, since he has a crew they can do it, things go wrong, people get killed, no one really has fun.

This movie was well made. The acting was spot on. The plot was fairly creative. I just didn't care.

I know intellectually this was a good movie. All the pieces were there for me to actually enjoy myself, I just couldn't like any of the characters. They're all really bad individuals, and really don't have any redeeming qualities about them. I also know this movie is probably more what it's like to be a gangster than Rocknrolla, or any of Guy Ritchie's fair, it's just that in Guy's movies you have a couple characters that are fun to watch. They may be bad guys, but they're naturally funny. They make you care about what happens to them. There just wasn't anyone in this film that did that.

I also liken this to "The Bank Job" in the sense that there wasn't really any genuinely good characters, yet Jason Statham carries the entire film because of his charisma. You can't really pin your hat on anyone in the crew, and it's unfortunate because this could have been a good film.

If you're into brutal violence, and people lying, stealing, and cheating just for fun, then you'll probably enjoy this. I just wanted a little more to keep my attention.

Oh dear, its so hit and miss its untrue

[scottcox316 · 4/10 · 20 July 2009]

Well this is just a bit of a mess really i mean it starts out OK and then parts bore you to to tears then it picks up a bit and gets more interesting and then its back to boredom for a while this happens about 6 times in the duration of the film.

Its half hour too long with some horrible filler in there, the scene with the down syndrome smack head being forced into giving one of the gangsters a blow job turned my stomach and was totally uncalled for, also the savage beating given out by ratter to the female smackhead who was giving him head just serves to make you look forward to him meeting his demise. Also where he creates a scene at the barbecue in front of everyone openly talking about being a criminal and wanting more work is just there to really make you hate the character and continue watching just to see him get whacked.

The main character jed swore more times than is humanly possible making up for his small size with a big mouth, its hard to take him seriously as the leader when he is about 9 stone wet through and looks about as intimidating as Michael owen.

As the film came to a close and we see jed on his way to take revenge on the con artists who tricked him and his wife (the con artists wife seduced jeds wife into a lesbian affair which was very unbelievable and just further served to interest the 18-22 year old intended audience) i thought oh ill enjoy this scene seeing him kill the con artists who milked him for over 100k, then the film ends without showing us this scene and giving closure, this annoyed me.

All in all worth a watch only if you really have nothing else better.

British gold

[jebusad · 8/10 · 18 January 2009]

I really do dream of a better time for British cinema. This film is a glimpse of what could be. This film like all good movies focus' on a good story line, actors in roles they suit and a good pace for its style. A simmering tension through the main characters crumbling self confidence. The edge comes from some brutal violence thrown into boil. Added with the right taste, again for the type of movie it is. Along with a dash of hot lesbian action, a couple of twists and a quintessential scouse feel. Usually i think scousers get a bad representation as comedy or annoying characters but this time everyone one had a natural feel to them. In summary i would highly recommend it to any man and their dog, especially the dog.

Please please please don't waste your time on this awful movie

[onefootskank · 1/10 · 15 April 2010]

I watched this movie after reading some of the reviews on IMDb. Some of them were glowing so I was surprised that it had passed me by. It must be a sign of the lack of quality British crime movies that people seem satisfied at the most paltry of offerings....

Where do I start? To be fair the one good thing in this movie is Stephen Graham. The problem is the fact that he elevates every scene that he's in only shines a light on how completely terrible everything else is.

The lead actor has zero charisma, the supporting cast are rejects from soaps. There are scenes that make absolutely no sense and do nothing to move the story along. There is no subtlety in the direction, especially in the intended comic scenes.

And it is such a hackneyed story - they even have a meet in a massive warehouse out in the sticks - for no reason at all....except that the director got a chance to gives us a Michael Mann wide shot....

Im trying to give some allowances for the fact that it was a low budget feature and that it is tough to get anything made these days....which is why I give it a 1 rating.

I recommend this movie to anyone who loves a violent flick and doesn't care that there isn't a good story to hang them on...

I feel sick.

violence for its own sake

[tonygreenbank · 1/10 · 16 March 2010]

This is a most depressing film. I cannot imagine what goes into the mind of a producer or director of this sort of violent filth. I am aware it is a film of a book called "Outlaws" but it is so abhorrent and uncivilised that I am forced to post this review. If you imagine every type of sexual depravity then this film catered for it probably for the benefit of the producer than the story line or plot which seemed as incomprehensible as the accents of the scouse actors. It is violent, deviant and totally lacking in humanity that you are so relieved when it was over and you could get on with normality. No doubt someone will point out to me that this is ground breaking cinematography but it was violence for its own sake. The good people of Liverpool will be horrified to think that their city is portrayed in this way.This film has nothing to commend it but if you like blood and violence then this is for you.Many years ago this film would have been sold in a plain brown paper envelope from under the counter. Now it is broadcast on a major channel. How depressing.

Less than average heist movie

[KineticSeoul · 4/10 · 15 January 2010]

Longtime crime boss Ged Brennan(Scot Williams) is done with the criminal underworld when he feels his luck is running out. But to fund a legitimate business, he has to rely on his crew in order to successfully pull off one final robbery. But one of his crew member and butt buddy has a business of there own, which is getting into the illegal drug business which Ged won't even touch with a 100 ft pole. So when one of his trusted crew member goes to a rival heist group in order to get in, it really jeopardizes Ged's final heist. With betrayal all around Ged, he must use his wits and everything he learned and with the help of his former adversary Franner(Stephen Graham) to get everything on track. This is a good crime movie, but at times it felt way longer than it should have been. This film is about 123 mins, but they could have easily cut 20 or maybe 30 min and it would have been a fast paced and better. Sometimes the slow pace makes a movie better, but this isn't the case for "The Crew" and it felt that it started to drag in sometimes and incoherent. The plot was creative, but not original but I just didn't care about any of the characters except maybe Ged. But this is cause everyone else besides Ged, is annoyingly retarded so you don't care what happens to them. I mean in movies like this you know who the bad guys are, but for instance in Guy Ritchie's movies, he actually makes them funny and likable, but this isn't the case for "The Crew". This movie may please audiences that enjoy crime/drama movies, but it just didn't have anything that really got my attention.

4.5/10

Dreadful, dreary, nonsense

[gary-444 · 1/10 · 11 November 2009]

The British Gangster film has a noble tradition, this does not add to it.The Liverpool setting has great potential both as a backdrop, and as an opportunity to explore some real regional character. Both are squandered.

Director Adrain Vitoria's credentials sit with soaps like The Bill,Hollyoaks and Brookside. he is totally out of his depth with a full feature, his only previous effort "Capital Punishment" having sunk without trace.Kevin Sampson wrote the novel on which this is based, but the screenplay was written by Ian Brady who shows a spectacular inability to write convincing dialogue and paint colour into character. How he needs to hire Martin McDonaghs "In Bruges" to discover how to write dialogue and use settings.

What we are offered is lazy, clichéd fare, with a formula plot, you know, the "one last job" plot.When a gratuitous lesbian clinch is shown between gangsters molls, Debs and Marie it is hard to tell whether their smiles are of acted pleasure, or of stifled laughter at the absurdity of the script.Stephen Graham and Scot Williams sleep walk through proceedings which are interspersed with episodes of extreme violence designed to inject some interest into a strangely flat production.

Best forgotten, which will not be difficult.

nihilistic and brilliant

[sonicred007 · 9/10 · 17 January 2009]

The Crew goes where many British gangster flicks tends to skirt around. It's an adaptation of Kevin Sampson's novel Outlaws (he wrote the screenplay too), and really shows off an attention to detail that paints a graphic and nihilistic picture of gangster life. It plays on moral bankruptcy rather than trying to spin out pithy one liners and any pretence of cool.

Nothing good happens to anyone; violence and lust doesn't make people happy, poetic justice slips through when you least expect and some neat twists give it a decent narrative that is a lot smarter than the usual brit gangster flic.

Bodes well for Awaydays!

Poor film

[steve-4427 · 1/10 · 18 February 2009]

This was a very poor attempt at a gangster flick. The characters were unconvincing. The acting was poor, and in the case of Scott Williams was over the top and unbelievable in places.

I thought Stephen Graham would salvage the film but his part was too small.

The story line was disjointed and full of clichés. And when it tried a Ritchie-esk climax it fell flat on it's face.

The ending was pointless and unfulfilling.

Overall very disappointing. If you want a British gangster flick that isn't based in London then watch "Going off Big Time" it's a great film.

If I hadn't seen the box, I'd have thought it was a late night Hollyoaks!

[karl_mercer · 1/10 · 7 May 2009]

There are people out there who will swoon over the Brit-Gang genre as if it were a member of Girls Aloud offering a snog (not the ginger one...). The problem is that, along with rubbish slasher/hacker films and naff 80s movies, that is because they have developed a cult following; i.e. a group of people fanatically worshipping everything about them, even if it is rubbish; perhaps even because it is rubbish.

The truth is that, when I watched this film, I genuinely felt like I was watching a late night episode of Hollyoaks. The acting was either over the top, or underplayed to the extent that it felt like I was watching a rehearsal. The plot itself is boring, and whilst the undertone of nihilism could be construed as an admirable quality, I actually felt that it merely enhanced my own despair, and feelings of nothingness.

If this is your thing, and you are a member of this apparent cult following of rubbish British Gangster films, by all means watch it, and love it if you must. But for those of a less biased disposition, avoid this like the plague. If you want a serious British gangster film, watch Gangster No. 1 (admittedly an average storyline, but one that is absolutely acted off the screen by Malcolm McDowell and Paul Bettany; and where the gratuitous violence is used in a far more artistic fashion) or even go retro and watch The Long Good Friday, or Get Carter (The Michael Caine version, not Rambo in disguise.)

How did this film ever get made????

[bones_gambino · 1/10 · 20 February 2009]

The basis of the film sounded promising,the finished product was a letdown. Now I won't tell you to avoid this film, I'd like you to watch it and discover for yourself how bad films can get. Guy Ritchie's gangster films may not reflect the reality of a gangster's life but they do have something in abundance-entertainment. I looked hard for one redeeming feature of this film, something with which I could hold up as an example of hope for you. I couldn't find one. The actors aren't convincing, the script is weak and the lines delivered with such blandness. Stephen Graham gives the worst performance I've seen in a long time and that has to be the fault of the writer/director as Graham isn't a bad actor.

A ready-made cult classic!

[empengi · 10/10 · 8 February 2009]

Some classic and genuinely unusual scenes. Different enough to be well worth watching. The film 'rocknrolla' should have been, and clearly NOT just another Brit gangster flick! After a slightly cheesy start, with over-acting from Phil Olivier, I became completely drawn in by the plot, with performances getting better as things went along (it must have been filmed in sequence).

Humorous and brutal, touching and chilling, I simply could not switch it off last night, and am now compelled to pen this review despite suffering from sleep deprivation ;-). I know films, and I know good from bad, and I know you will not regret adding this film to your collection!

a brilliant British gangster movie, great cast, great story, great movie

[daworldismine · 8/10 · 28 October 2012]

the crew is a brilliant British gangster movie, based on the novel 'outlaws' and set in liverpool's underworld, its gritty dark, and very violent, the movie I've seen so far to rival the violence of 'rise of the footsoldier'. the movie is very well made, it looks great, it's funny at times, but this movie isn't played for laughs at all, its a brutal look, at a brutal world, full of brutal characters, both high and low. British gangster movies seem to take a lot of stick these days, thanks to some less than steller movies, but thats ashame, because since 'rise of the footsoldier' the genre has been on a high delivering some truly good movies, this being one of them, there are a couple of truly nasty scenes that some viewers may find hard to watch., but that aside this is a great movie and a British movie to be proud of, i highly recommend

This film is boss kid!

[Mikobotic · 8/10 · 31 October 2010]

Being born and raised in Liverpool I have been waiting for something like this to come along, something that shows the true grittiness of the Liverpool streets away from the City Centre and The Beatles, Liverpool is one of the hardest cities in Britain if not the world, places like Huyton, Toxeth and Norris Green are a war zone, gun shots can be heard every night as the rise to the top of the food chain from rival gangs rages on and The Crew portrays this in stunning detail, massively under rated in my eyes, lads I don't recommend watching this with the missus or your kids but trust me you wont be disappointed, action packed, gritty, scouse!

Brutally underrated!!!

[farhad_hamed · 10/10 · 6 March 2009]

This film is such a brilliant must-see movie. Don't care about these moronic comments or its low rate. This movie drowns you and you never want the movie to end.

The music is so very beautiful. Acting is sometimes exaggerated, though. I was totally skeptical to whether watch this movie or not, thanks to the comments and rates. BUT I found it worth watching and enjoying.

The plot is well-written and never bores you. The plot follows different stories and is divided for different characters so there's always something new to provide.

Above average thriller

[kolinferguson · 7 August 2009]

I have to admit that I had a vested interest in seeing this film as I've co-produced and co-created a pilot ironically in Glasgow called The Crews. Which is being punted as The Scottish Sopranos.

So when this film came along naturally we were pretty despondent as it could be construed that we are jumping on a bandwagon when in fact I'd never heard of the film until it's release on DVD. Then the PR blurb surrounding it called it the Liverpudlian Sopranos. LOL.

What made it worse for us is the film is actually very good.

Standouts include the ever excellent Stephen Graham and Scot Williams as the lead Ged.

If I had a criticism of it; ironically enough is it plays like a pilot episode of a TV show itself as you expect a follow up.

Here's to stepping on toes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJxJIT57krg http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Crews/169254085135?ref=sgm

Underrated

[Anna_deJong · 10/10 · 12 March 2009]

Hardcore but excellent Liverpool gangster movie. The first half is very violent and for some perhaps difficult to watch. It definitely all comes together in the second part of the movie, it pays off.

Brilliant script, the movie keeps you interested until the very end and actually I really enjoyed the acting. Sex, drugs and rock 'n roll, all the good ingredients and actors really pull it off.

You'll like it if you also enjoyed lock, stock and the bank job! Definitely an acquired taste though but according to me this is a must-see.

P.S. You've done well Arnaud Lannic, back on usual top form.

Nice gangster flick, but not intended for everybody

[Greek_Mike · 8/10 · 14 October 2009]

A mixed drama/crime genre movie, which IMDb lists only as crime genre.

Lets make clear that it is not intended for everybody. Most people are not interested in the life of some robbers and their wives. However for me it was an intense film, that attracted my full attention in its two hours playtime.

I found all the characters very realistic, except, Scot Williams. As Scot is staring in the movie, I would dare to say that he doesn't fulfill the role of the gang leader, I would prefer a "tougher" looking guy for this role.

This is not a unique film or featuring some original ideas, but despite that I enjoyed it for its realistic approach to the British small crime scene.

Riposte

[dean-901-579106 · 9/10 · 19 January 2014]

It's very rare for me to consider a reply to negative reviews. Indeed, I have never done so.

As a former Cambridge University literature and theater graduate and NYU film alumnus, and having read certain reviews, I was ready to write off this film before I watched it.

Thankfully, I did not.

Some of the reviews have talked about the overacting in the first 1/2 hour. I note that, and agree with that. There are even some slightly preposterous plot elements. But once you look beyond that this is a very tightly planned movie with, on the whole, very good performances from the actors. This isn't quite a modern day morality tale, nor is it a Greek tragedy , nor is it a Senecan tragedy, although it is close to being a tragedy from Seneca.

I did feel invested in the characters after the first 1/3, and it is indeed a pretty nihilistic vision. It's raw, gritty stuff, and everything that happens has a reason. It reminds me of Takeshi Kitano's movies from Japan, like Hana Bi and Sonatine. It's not remotely as beautiful, but it is very true to life, and, ultimately, compelling. I would love to give this movie a six, but I would prefer to give it an 8 because it really did come together and keep me watching.

A movie that in the ensemble, and direction, is better than the sum of its parts.

Speaking honestly, I was riveted. That's good film making. Isn't it?

Quality non typical Brit crime drama

[julescrom · 8/10 · 27 March 2013]

Not your standard run of the mill Brit 'geezer / gangster' flick this. Refreshingly set in Liverpool as opposed to the usual London / Essex locations. Much more of a family drama in The Godfather mould than most Brit crime movies of the last decade. Showing criminal life in a (probably) more realistic light than usual. Also features some great acting, featuring some fresh talent as opposed to the usual old faces, with the exception of Stephen Graham (Al Capone in Boardwalk Empire), who turns in the usual quality performance, even if he isn't stretched at all.

If you are open minded to a slightly different type of gangster movie, give this a try. Sure there is violence, what do you expect - they are gangsters, but it is not excessively graphic unlike some of the more 'hooley' / Essex boys type films. Some have noted that some of the characters are hard to care about (it is a film - do we ever really 'care' about the characters? - It is entertainment pure and simple), but at least they are slightly different, mainly family people with the usual problems most of us have, and it is refreshing to have a 'Kingpin' who doesn't want to deal in drugs (if only because of the prison sentences involved as opposed to morally). Highly recommended.

one of the best British films I've seen in a long time

[keongaku · 9/10 · 29 September 2013]

This a superb no nonsense gritty thriller , ---has some excellent characterization and the cinematography of Liverpool is at times stunning

I watched this initially as it has Stephen Graham in it and Ill watch anything that he is in

I cant understand the low rating this film has got and it knocks the socks off some of the more well known British gangster flicks

It even has time for some comedy moments and at times is very tongue in cheek but also delivers some strong moral messages too about how sometimes the old way of doing things is the best

highly recommended

Heavily under rated quality British movie

[info-186-89263 · 10/10 · 15 December 2014]

This is an excellent film.

I have watched this so many times now and it never loses it's appeal.

It is violent in parts but the violence is realistic it's not done for shock effect like so many other British films seem to do.

The story is great and believable.

The acting is excellent throughout.

Set in the gritty bits of Liverpool I doubt this is much of an exaggeration of the underworld there.

The music is good and it is well directed worth £5 of anyone's money.

It must have cost quite a bit to make.

My only regret is I didn't catch it at the cinema, go for it.