Writer: Melissa Chin

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Watch this if you liked: “The Transporter”, “Crank”, “The Mechanic”

See a name like Jason Statham, or The Stath as he's nicknamed, one would expect an action-packed, bone-crunching movie. With a movie called "Blitz", it definitely is living up to its name. Plenty of cliches in such a movie makes you wonder what else is new.

Based on the novel by Ken Bruen and directed by Elliot Lester, Blitz is an incredible yet enjoyable British crime thriller which stars Jason Statham as the psychopathic, tough South East London police detective Brant who is responsible for tracking a mentally-unstable, revenge-seeking cop-killer, Blitz (Aiden Gillen). Brant doesn't play by the rules and uses violent methods to get the job done. When a number of his colleagues are killed by a hooded suspect, Brant teams up with his new boss, Nash (Paddy Considine) to catch Blitz.

The gay Nash compliments Brant's brash personality as the careful yet effective cop. The Nash-Brant chemistry provides some of the thoughtful dialogues and pauses in an otherwise emotionally-charged film. Only Brant's rogue methods can stop the carnage since the South East London Police's surveillance, forensics and policing are unbelievably bad.

"Blitz" is 97 minutes of bloody action with a familiar storyline and an overbearing soundtrack. It makes no excuse for its gory content, profane language or violence. The free-flowing alcohol, gruesome killings and bloodshed may make some sick to the stomach.

The movie has a plot which appears rather flawed and incredulous. This may leave you confused and puzzled as you seek logical answers to several instances as the plot unfolds. Characters appear in their own little sub-plots that remain unresolved or are unnecessary. There are also totally unrealistic event turns as well as lack of character depth. The weak, predictable and fast ending may leave one feeling dissatisfied.

The mesmerising thing about this movie is the stellar performance by the cast in trying to bring out the characters that they portray. Statham gives a credible performance as the uncompromising Brant. Gillen is very good as the deranged killer while Considine is impressive and creates great chemistry with Statham as his superior. The cinematography is excellent and beautiful, with various camera angles to capture the darker sides of London. The city looks very good on film and makes viewing compelling.

"Blitz" is an entertaining thriller with decent acting and nice cinematography. However, the bloodshed, violence and profane language may not be everyone's cup of (British) tea.

Cinema Online, 16 June 2011