This update of TV's old cops show is unexpectedly very enjoyable and holds a few surprises. The uneasy marriage of old and new-style policing works very well here, and whilst the actual plot and scenarios are completely generic, there are sufficient twists to make the story interesting and which enable the final third of the film to have unexpected emotional heft. This feels like a Nick Love film, but The Sweeney is by far his most consistent, coherent and enjoyable directorial piece yet. Ray Winstone is absolutely superb as Regan in an immensely magnetic and considered performance, with Ben Drew providing strong support (and improving as the stakes are raised) in the Carter role. Indeed, a powerful (and recognisable) British cast gives the film considerable backbone, the action is well-handled, autumnal London looks Olympics-beautiful, and apart from the decidedly unglamourous setting of the final chase/shootout, when the TV show's theme tune inevitably powers in over the end credits, the film finishes on a real note of triumph. This is a successful update, making The Sweeney 2012 a good, solid action-thriller overall.
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