Jack Falls review

Just out on DVD, the final part of the first ever British film trilogy, black and white and colourised independent flick Jack Falls boasts a winning, home-grown cast. Still, it has a lot to compete with from across the pond.

Is this just a Sin City rip off or is there a splash of colour amongst the greyscale. Hit the jump to find out:


Writer of the first two films, Jack Says and Jack Said, Paul Tanter takes the director's chair for the first time, and he's clearly seen and loved a lot of recent movies. He's got Ang Lee's comic-book style from Hulk down, he's picked up Guy Ritchie's quirky cockney gangster shtick from Lock Stock and he clearly liked Rob Rodriguez B&W with swathes of colour cinematography.

Equally, you'll recognise a lot of the cast as much as you'll recognise the directing style. We have a starring role for Day Hollywood Stood Still favourite and Sugar Rush alumni, Olivia Hallinan, who is clearly loving the chance to play the femme fatale; along with cameo roles for a whole host of British gangster flick heroes including: Lock Stock "actor" Alan Ford, British institution Dexter Fletcher, 80s pop star Martin Kemp, Pinhead himself Doug Bradley and even a random cameo from 80s whizz kid Zach Galligan.

Despite the big-name cast, this is a distinctly low-budget affair. The dub is occasionally off, some of the extras clearly walked in off the street and even the pros' motions seem a bit rehearsed; the fights scenes and gunplay are particularly poorly choreographed, looking a bit like play fighting at times.

Still, I can think of at least a dozen big-budget Hollywood cop movies with half the charm; not to mention, the film has the occasional flourish of genius. For every dud, clichéd one liner, there is the odd witty chuckle, while, for every regular occasion when characters act in the way that will create the "coolest" moment at the expense of logic, there is a nice dramatic turn.

Much of this is down to Hallinan, who is by far the most appealing thing about the film. Surprisingly, however, star Simon Philips manages to carry the movie with a smouldering performance that bellies his Z-list status.

A victory of style over substance, yes, but stylish nonetheless, and a definite suggestion of what British talent could achieve if it had even a portion of Hollywood's budget. If for no other reason, this movie deserves your support for the sake of national pride.

Jack Falls is out now and widely available