Such a frustrating disappointment

How sad is this?

A Masterpiece!

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

This review contains spoilers - hard to point out the flaws without a few spoilers!Firstly, I liked the cast and location... and I generally liked what they were attempting with the story. However, there seemed too many points that were either very unlikely or didn't make sense. For example:We're told that Harvey was just an ordinary, everyday guy who Steven Roper randomly chose to plant drugs in his flat - why would the police and courts convict someone of drugs offences (heroin no less) when they have no prior convictions? Wouldn't they look at the evidence as a whole and suspect foul play? Just doesn't seem likely. And why would Steven Roper plant drugs on an innocent person anyway? Wouldn't it be better to plant them on someone who the police already suspect?And if Harvey (and his friends) are just ordinary, everyday guys, why are they suddenly good at pulling off a heist? Being clever and having the guts isn't enough surely.The first time Harvey bumps into Roper in the street he gives him loads of lip and attitude. An ordinary guy who's been in jail for something he hasn't done and he mouths off to the likes of Roper (who was the person who got him sent to jail)? Make yourself noticed for the sake of the plan, maybe. But being tough and cocky? No.When it comes to the robbery, why did Dempsey take time to break in through one door but then also take time to break out through the roof? Surely going back out through the door would have been quicker. Sure, it was so he could fire the arrow from the roof... but why was he doing that anyway? I must have totally missed that part. Some money needed to fired through the air and hit a dart board because...? Did he need to get that money to Charlie quickly? Was that the money Charlie planted in the security room? If so, fine, but running the money over to him would have been almost as quick surely? Especially if he doesn't have to spend time breaking out through the roof. Factor in the possibility that he could have missed with the arrow and left Charlie searching for it. Seems like a flashy idea that is all flash and no benefit.Another point, the money is in a safe... in a basement... a basement with no windows... a basement that is alarmed. But when they put the safe in, they placed it over a drain cover? A cover that covers a drain large enough for someone to fit in? Really? No-one thought that was a bad place to put the safe? And why does a basement have an opening to a storm drain anyway?Finally, a minor point really but when characters in films are trying to be clever but that cleverness doesn't stand up then it sticks out. When DI West notices that the tape recorder is still running and listens to it, Harvey (on the tape) says "You can either run after me and bring me back or you can sit down and listen to this tape". All I could think was, he could pause the tape, run after Harvey, bring him back and THEN listen to the tape. The tape isn't going anywhere.

As someone else had mentioned this was sitting in my Netflix account unloved - a little bored I thought I should watch the first 20 minutes and see where it went.Having not read any reviews I was pleased to see Timothy Spall pop up in the first 10 minutes, encouraged I gave the film my full attention. The initial dialogue was clever, maybe a little too clever but fresh with some good lines, giving a solid back story. I must admit I grew to like the 4 lads, especially the lead who delivers a strong performance. Expecting a typical revenge story with the usual violence and mayhem the Rise takes you in a different and refreshing direction.It's well shot and the impressive director makes you really feel like you are on this gritty estate in the North of England. However he also offers hope, you want these guys to get their revenge and whatever they can take from the very believable drug kingpin.As you get more engrossed by the film the cleverer it gets with some great twists and turns, although not completely original – it all works. There is not a weak performance from the whole cast while backed up by a fantastic soundtrack (if you like your dance music). What I liked most is that the film does not go too far either; there is no violence or nudity for the sake of it. It's a great British film that should not be left too long to watch.

OK i don't review much stuff (indeed this is probably my first film review) but i feel like this film needs a little helping hand. This film is above average for your standard Brit flick, the acting is great, the story bounces along nicely & the overall plot is clever. If you like a good honest film, with decent acting, a nice bit of revenge, a nice bit of robbery, and a nice bit of violence, get this one watched. It seems to have been off a lot of people radars but it certainly deserves a wider audience, if you liked lock stock, or the bank job etc, in fact if you like any sort of heist/revenge scenario, this is a definite for your watch list. 7* from me but i can understand people scoring it that little bit higher, it really is a good watch.

I got to catch this at TIFF (My first film ever seen at the festival) and loved it. Great story, pacing, soundtrack, cinematography, writing, acting and direction. First-time writer-director Rowan Athale gets it right. My only problem was that he tries to do too much in his debut. What he does is great, but if he had tried to maybe do less in terms of covering the norms of heist and crime films, i.e. the ____ steps of committing a crime successfully. That's it. Timothy Dalton and Luke Treadway have great back and forth dialogue, and just when you think the film is over and you have unanswered questions, your questions are answered and you are given more of the brilliant story, and a great ending that perfectly ties up everything. I'm not sure if this will appeal to North American audiences, but it looks like it could be a huge hit in the UK. I loved it, and I highly recommend it.