Blitz

Detective Sergeant Tom Brant (Statham) is used to flexing his muscles. He’s got a history of doing things the old-fashioned, heavy-handed way, but when he beats up a gang of youths in the street, tabloid headlines point straight at him, one of London's finest. About to be put out to pasture in the realms of office paperwork, Brant’s bacon is saved by an urgent call out. One of his fellow cops has just been killed in broad daylight.

With no clues to speak of, another PC is shot in cold blood just days later, before a mystery caller, referring to himself only as 'Blitz' (Gillen), declares to a reporter that there are plenty more cop killings to come.

Brutal in places, this no holds barred look at the capital's crime isn't for the squeamish. Whilst the killings start out calm and calculated, Blitz soon loses his cool, pulverizing the face of one of Brant's closest colleagues as if to challenge his adversary.

Newcomer Lester has obviously been keeping track of what brings out the best in Statham. Brant's violence harks back to seventies style police dramas like The Sweeney, as does the overall demeanour of the piece. The supporting cast, Considine in particular, allow a performance akin to those of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and The Bank Job from the man now known simply as The Stath. The plot is crisp and the ending unlike anything you'll have seen before. If you like Statham, then Blitz is definitely for you.

Robert Gardner