Directed by Neil Jones.
Martin Kemp, Patrick Bergin, Bruce Payne, Dexter Fletcher, April
Pearson, Philip Davis, Nick Moran, Donna Air, Lucy Pinder, Anouska
Mond, Dani Dyer, Sebastian Street. 86 minutes.
Martin Kemp (ex-Spandau
Ballet, regular on UK TV's 'EastEnders', Reggie Kray in THE KRAYS, 1990) plays Sam Blake, a
top-notch black-ops sniper who is blackmailed by a mysterious villain
into killing six seemingly random victims in six hours or risk the
death of his daughter (Dani Dyer, daughter of Danny Dyer). Thrown
into the mix too is hooker Lexi (a spunky and sexy April Pearson from
UK TV's 'Skins'), and political intrigue akin to SKYFALL (2012).
Everyone in the cast is
game, and indeed, one of the pleasures in watching AGE OF KILL is
enjoying the cast assembled for the picture, which includes quite a
few British actors who have had memorable successes in Hollywood or
British action/ crime films. Martin Kemp was a member of New wave pop act Spandau Ballet and is an EastEnder, but he was also one half of THE
KRAYS with his brother Gary Kemp (also a fellow Spandau
bandmate). AGE OF KILL is a reminder of his talents as an actor. He exhibits charisma and a hard edge here, and delivers
the chops in the action scenes.
Patrick Bergin was the
villain in SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY (1991) and PATRIOT GAMES (1992),
and played ROBIN HOOD (1991). Bergin always had a dark, malevolent
but mischievous edge and he does here in his 'M' role. Bruce Payne
played Wesley Snipes' nemesis in PASSENGER 57 (1992), and appeared
previously in VENDETTA, as well as fantasy films like DUNGEONS AND
DRAGONS (2000) and HIGHLANDER: ENDGAME (2000). Here he is on less
villainous form as the Prime Minister.
Dexter Fletcher is a
British acting veteran with credits like BUGSY MALONE (1976), THE
LONG GOOD FRIDAY (1979), THE ELEPHANT MAN (1980), THE BOUNTY (1984),
REVOLUTION (1985, as Al Pacino's son), LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING
BARRELS (1998), and LAYER CAKE (2004) to his name. He has a quirky
role as an eccentric assassin. It's unfortunate he didn't have more
screen time. Nick Moran was the lead in LOCK, STOCK, and plays a much
darker role here as a politician with a violent endgame. Philip
Davis's career stretches even longer, with roles in QUADROPHENIA
(1979), SCUM (1979), THE BOUNTY (1984), ALIEN 3 (1992), FACE (1997),
VERA DRAKE (2004) and ANOTHER YEAR (2010). He was notable in two
films dealing with soccer hooliganism – THE FIRM (1989, with Gary
Oldman) and I.D. (1995), which he also directed. Davis is his usual
exuberant, energetic, impassioned self here as a disgruntled
government operative.
AGE OF KILL is a
fast-moving, no-nonsense, tightly-coiled thriller in the style of
Jonathan Solcott's other productions WE STILL KILL THE OLD WAY (2014,
which was co-produced by Neil Jones) and VENDETTA (2013). If anything, the film could've been longer. Neil Jones
makes his low budget go far, giving the film a vivid, international
look, even though the film is resolutely British in an endearing way, avoiding
the mistake of being faux-Hollywood. The film is genuinely tense and
gripping, and is admirably contained, not straining to be an epic.
Like Martin Kemp's conflicted, dark hero, the film has some surprises
up its sleeve, even whilst it plays to formula.
AGE OF KILL is playing in select UK cinemas currently. The film will be released on Blu-ray and DVD in the UK on 15th June 2015.
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