The sixth film in the long-running Essex hardman franchise, Rise of the Footsoldier: Vengeance is entertaining, convoluted, and… strangely progressive?
Returning as Pat Tate, a fictionalised version of a real-life wrong’ un, Craig Fairbrass gives us a slightly cuddlier, more sympathetic version of the character than the coked-up psychopath of some previous installments. When, after a failed robbery, Pat hurls a metal bank case at the head of his accomplice Kenny (Josh Myers), he actually apologies for it, immediately and sincerely. When Kenny is brutally murdered while carrying out a side deal, Pat goes in search of blood.
Given Vengeance is ostensibly set in the early ’90s and Tate was killed in ’95, as established unambiguously in the first Footsoldier film, he’s certainly make the most of his prequel afterlife. He and John Kramer from the Saw franchise should share notes.
There are plenty of returning characters – Jamie Foreman as stalwart Sam, Emily Wyatt as the conniving Charlotte – and a few new ones – Phil Davis with a Mephistophelian goatee, an understated, scene-stealing Tara Fitzgerald. That said, you may, like I, struggle to determine if someone is new or returning; especially given that, sixteen years on from the original, everyone looks that much older.
One character who definitely is new is Billy the Kid (Ben Wilson), whose duel alter-egos I won’t spoil here, but who provides a new vein of life to a franchise built on sheer machismo.
The usual dodgy deals and crowded clubs initially take a backseat to Pat’s (at least semi-)righteous quest for revenge, dishing out violence to (at least semi-)deserving villains. With Pat seemingly sober and no innocent bystanders falling victim to his drug-fueled rages, which have been hallmark of the franchise, Rise of the Footsoldier: Vengeance is a remarkably guilt-free experience, and one whose slightly more family-friendly1 benefits from massively increased production values.
Moving the action to central London – Soho! The Windmill Theatre! Clearly contemporary American candy shops! – director Nick Nevern keeps the action dynamic, aided by Andrew Loveday’s and Jason Mazara’s well-judged screenplay. However, by the time the climax rolls around, there are enough characters and subplots in play that it can be hard to keep track; even if you’ve watched the whole franchise this previous week. 2
Even if it doesn’t quite live up to its narrative ambitions – this isn’t a Rettendon Raid 2 – Rise of the Footsoldier: Vengeance suggests that you can teach an old dog some new politics.
- It is still an (18) for ‘very strong language, strong bloody violence’
- I could’ve done with a character glossary a la Game of Thrones or perhaps a ‘Previously on…’. Then again that might give away some of the twists… Then again, it’s not much of a twist if you don’t recognise the cameo.
