[Movie Review] Welcome To The Punch

Ex-criminal Jacob Sternwood is forced to return to London when his son is involved in a heist gone wrong. This gives his nemesis, detective Max Lewinsky, one last chance to catch the man he's always been after.

Written and directed by Eran Creevy, the film begins with detective Max Lewinsky (James McAvoy) making his chase after the masked robbers in the banking center of Canary Wharf, London. With his impulsive and strong willpower, the intense chase continues before getting himself shot in his knee by master-robber Jacob Sternwood (Mark Strong) in an underground tunnel.

Opening appearance - Max (James McAvoy) standing cool tracking the robbers whereabouts

Three years after the gun shot incident, with the pain still haunting Max every now and then, Sternwood's son is then mysteriously gunned down in London (Probably following his dad's footsteps). Sternwood who escaped, had to return to find the cause, giving Max a second chance to bring him to justice and rescue his own reputation, proving he's superior that he ain't a 'nobody'. Along with his partner, Sarah Hawks (Andrea Riseborough), both trying their best to find supporting evidence to charge Sternwood down.

Never had he realised there were much more behind all this.. Of police corruption and conspiracy, involving an upcoming election and the issue of gun control. Max realises that his only chance to solve the entire puzzle is to team up with his old nemesis, Sternwood, who also saved him during a gun firing scene in a closed club. Afterall, Sternwood seems like a good guy.

Ending with Max decided to hold that trigger, letting Sternwood free..

but what happens to Max then?!

Kudos to all the main cast who played really well in their role, loving their facial expressions in every part of the movie even during times where they have limited script. Loving the way Andrea plays her role of Sarah with her british accents and her lovely face but a pity she couldn't make it till the end while trying to find evidence.. Why didn't she carry a gun with her when she was out alone?

Well done on the slow motion shown during the guns firing battle and loud enough to catch the audience attention.. Would be even better if there add in more fighting scene other than flying bullets and breaking furnitures.

However, I find there is still a lot of little untold mysteries here and there.. as if there were missing cut-out scene.

The film stars James McAvoy (X-Men: First Class, Wanted, Atonement, The Last King Of Scotland), Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy), and Andrea Riseborough (W.E., Oblivion), along with Peter Mullan (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Tyrannosaur), David Morrissey (Nowhere Boy, The Other Boleyn Girl), Daniel Mays (Shifty) and Johnny Harris (The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus).

Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime thriller
Language: English
Release Date: Thursday, 18 Jul 2013
Main Cast: James McAvoy, Mark Strong, Andrea Riseborough Duration: 99 mins
Personal rating: 3 out of  5