The Sweeney
Metascore
48 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
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  1. The Playlist
    Reviewed by: Gabe Toro
    Mar 4, 2013
    25
    Up until the very very end (which uncorks a CLASSIC cop cliché that seemed long dead by now), The Sweeney is straight dumb procedural, no chaser.
  2. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Chris Cabin
    Feb 27, 2013
    25
    Clichés abound, even in the look of the film, which toggles between post-Ritchie crime-violence burlesque and sleek, Nolanesque faux-grandeur.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.3 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 2 out of 3
  1. foxgrove
    0
    Offensive on every level. There has to be something wrong with a film that makes you want the villains to be victorious and the so called good guys to be viciously killed. Ray Winston playing himself is more reprehensible than usual and I didn't think that could be possible. Film making at its nadir and British cinema to be ashamed of. The TV series from which this moronic mess springs from should sue. A socially irresponsible piece of crap that Shames everyone involved.… Full Review »
  2. StevenF
    5
    The Sweeney delivers a flawed and often messy action flick that will sit well for some pretty decent action scenes but is ultimately a very forgetful movie that cancels itself out on several occasions.
    Ray Winstone puts in a decent performance as Jack Regan, he has created a character based on what people want him to be, hard man yet loveable, gritty yet friendly to the right people.
    Based on the TV show, we open with Jack and his gang of misfits interrupting an armed robbery, this is where we are introduced to George Carter, played by rapper Plan B (Ben Drew) in his acting debut.
    As the film progresses we learn that Jack is holding many secrets close to his chest, his affair with a co-worker who is married to the new man observing the Sweeney, or his tokens of gold bars to the man tipping him off about the robberies which his team try to foil.
    Jack long suspects that its a previous enemy who has committed the ultimate robbery, also killing an innocent worker in the process, Jack doesn't, however, have enough evidence to support his theory.
    Its clear from the opening heist that The Sweeney trades story and depth for style and often grim character development.
    Ben Drew is simply alright in his debut, at times it was quite difficult to understand what he was saying, and his overall take on George Carter may have been better suited to Tom Hardy.
    The other supporting characters are easily forgotten, with next to no development and one dimensional personalities. This is very much a Ray Winstone film, but he simply cannot carry the film on his own.
    A particularly decent shootout was a good point in the film, taking place in Trafalgar Square and stretching across the parks, but unfortunately a very boring and seen-it-all-before car park sequence just sort of nullified everything that had happened previously.
    The Sweeney unfortunately seems like an attempt to combine the best British films into one, but simply doesn't succeed in doing so, with a messy story and a sub-plot involving the observing of the group felt lie something that should have been in a sequel, not in a remake trying to find its feet.
    Ultimately, The Sweeney did have big ideas, but its lifeless supporting cast and pointless attempts at telling a gritty story have shattered its credibility, save for Ray Winstone and a few little moments from Ben Drew.    … Full Review »
  3. Thegodfatherson
    0
    If you think this is a feel good british gangster movie, don't ebven bother to watch it. The Sweeney is a underbelly kicked in the butt feeling movie. Other than Nick Love.… Full Review »
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