Watch Essex Boys: Retribution

Essex Boys: Retribution is a British crime thriller released in 2013, directed by Paul Tanter and starring Billy Murray and Vas Blackwood. The film is a sequel to the 2000 movie Essex Boys, based on the real-life murder of three drug dealers in Essex in 1995. The sequel follows the story of two brothers, Ryan and Michael, who are seeking revenge for the murder of their father, who was killed in the original Essex Boys film.

The movie opens with a flashback to the events of the original film, where a group of drug dealers in Essex are murdered in cold blood. Ryan and Michael's father, who was a minor character in the first movie, is also killed in the attack. The two brothers grow up with a deep-rooted desire for revenge against the people who killed their father.

The plot of the movie revolves around Ryan and Michael's hunt for the killers, who have subsequently become powerful figures in the Essex underworld. The brothers' thirst for revenge leads them to become involved in a world of violence, drugs, and corruption, as they try to reunite their family by taking out their father's killers.

Throughout the movie, there are several scenes of graphic violence, including shootouts, stabbings, and beatings. The filmmakers do not shy away from the brutality of the world they are portraying, and the audience is left with a sense of how dangerous and unforgiving the criminal underworld can be.

The film's strongest asset is the central performances by Billy Murray and Vas Blackwood as Ryan and Michael, respectively. Both actors are convincing in their roles as brothers driven by their thirst for revenge. Murray, in particular, brings a sense of gravitas to his performance, imbuing Ryan with a steely determination that is both intimidating and sympathetic.

However, the movie suffers from a lack of focus in its storytelling. The plot meanders at times, with several subplots and characters that are not fully developed. The film's pacing can be slow at times, and it is not always clear why certain characters are doing what they are doing.

Additionally, the film's dialogue can be clunky and expository at times. The characters tend to explain things to each other that they would clearly already know, which can be distracting and takes away from the immersion of the story.

Despite its flaws, Essex Boys: Retribution is an entertaining crime thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. The film does a good job of capturing the grittiness of the criminal underworld, and the central performances from Murray and Blackwood make it worth watching.

In conclusion, Essex Boys: Retribution is a solid British crime thriller that will please fans of the genre. The film's performances are strong, and the story is engaging, despite some pacing issues and clunky dialogue. It may not be a groundbreaking film, but for those looking for a satisfying revenge story, it is worth checking out.

Essex Boys: Retribution is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.3.