I would suggest one disregards the negative posts. They come across like ill, bot-type comments than a review. As a creative, I'll not bring another's work down. I can be critical in a sense that as a fellow creative, I would do things differently. I've had work re-written and I have rewritten others. It is part and parcel of the game. I would alter and tweak projects I've painted, filmed and written myself. Director's cut, editor's cut, theatrical cut, when does one stop in order to satisfy everyone?
This is the first film to be release from newly formed Shogun. The logo is reminiscent of 80's and 90's production companies, Canon and Carolco, which I'm sure is intentional as I hope Shogun get to make a slew of genre pictures of their own like those powerhouses before them.
I know the difficulties in getting a film made, let alone for an audience to be able to see it. What's more, this film was made during a pandemic, so hats off to all involved and the hoops and stress everyone must have gone through when making it. It's tough.
Nemesis is indeed a genre piece, so fans of the 'We Still..' and 'Footsoldier' films will be satisfied, especially as it features go-to favourites Billy Murray, Nick Moran and Frank Harper.
Murray plays semi-retired criminal John Morgan, who along with his wife Sadie, (Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott), has returned to London from Turkey in a fleeting visit to announce some charity work and be spoken to by a 'boss', (Bruce Payne).
Murray's John Morgan is a charming villain and one wouldn't want him to perform it any other way. A character of that ilk would be. I've grown up knowing these people and many of the filmmakers know them well, too, so there's no need to note a tan or a behaviour-type from any of the roles. They nail them all.
Morgan is a family man and came across as a soft, loveable rogue. I felt for him; the old school criminal who appears lost in today's world and wants out of the game. It was probably not the wisest of statements to tell his dastardly boss, played by Bruce Payne. I would have liked to see more of him, though he might have been a costly addition. Just looking at him gave me the creeps.
Nick Moran was my favourite in this. He plays alcoholic police officer Frank Conway and portrays him incredibly well. It is the troubled Conway who kicks off Morgan's downhill spiral.
Frank Harper can do these roles in his sleep and plays Morgan's brother, Richard, effortlessly, chewing up his scenes wonderfully and whenever Harper is on screen in anything, you know something's going to turn out unpleasant.
There are double-crosses, twists and revenge throughout and it isn't long before people begin to turn. In fact, everyone turns and that's what makes this a little bit different from the rest in its genre. I wanted Billy Murray to remain the soft touch, but as previously mentioned, he's an aged villain and he hasn't got where he is by being a soft, doting father and husband.
Newcomers to watch out for are Ambra Moore, Sir Roger Moore's granddaughter, who has a great acting launch pad with this movie, as has Danny Bear, who I hope follows this with something polar opposite as I'm sure there's a decent actor in the making here. Another standout performance was actress Lucy Aarden, who - well, you'll just have to see.
A few have noted some scenes were long, but for me I liked seeing certain characters together and just talking with each other. Others have called out the twist. My goodness, has anyone seen a certain book-turned drama on a streaming platform? If Nemesis had the marketing budget of that!
People are often too quick to stick the boot in, especially with social media and a faceless Tweet here and there. Try writing a script, selling it, raising money to make a film, casting and crewing it, feeding them, producing and delivering it on time and then try doing it whilst a global health crisis is occurring and see how things go.
Would I have wanted for some things to be different? Yes, but that's with the majority of films I see, so with that, for me, 'Nemesis' is an enjoyable Friday night watch with a 'you won't believe the ending'.
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