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Kicking Off is a British sports-comedy film directed by Matt Wilde which was released in 2015. The movie revolves around the football passion of two best friends Wigsy and Cliff. The characters are played respectively by Greg McHugh and Warren Brown, both known for their remarkable performances in various British TV shows like Fresh Meat and Luther.

The movie sets out on the day of an important football match between England and Germany, and the excitement around it has taken over the city. The two friends are ecstatic, and they have been waiting for this match for months. They make plans to catch the match live with a group of their football buddies at their local pub. However, to their dismay, they find out that the match has been postponed due to weather conditions. Hence, they are forced to come up with a Plan B to salvage the day.

Their Plan B turns out to be a drastic one. Wigsy and Cliff decide to kidnap the referee of the postponed match, who they believe made several poor decisions in their team's previous match that resulted in a defeat. They believe that if the referee cannot turn up for the England game, the match will be cancelled, and an outrage will ensue. The storyline of the movie follows the consequences of their spur-of-the-moment decision, and how it affects their lives and the people around them.

Warren Brown plays the role of Cliff, who is a hardworking, passionate and dedicated football fan. He is the more sensible one among the two and initially is hesitant when Wigsy comes up with the plan. However, he eventually goes along with it, unable to suppress his passion for the game. Brown does a fantastic job of portraying Cliff's character, and his chemistry with McHugh's Wigsy gives the movie a great comedic edge.

Greg McHugh plays the role of Wigsy, who is the life of the party and the more impulsive of the two. McHugh's comic timing is impeccable, and his portrayal of Wigsy is hilarious. The character is shown to have a naïve and almost childlike quality about him, which makes it easier for the audience to sympathize with his actions, no matter how crazy they may seem.

Alongside Brown and McHugh, Alistair Petrie plays the lead role of the kidnapped referee, who manages to balance his emotions brilliantly as the situation unfolds. The other cast members, including Danielle Bux, who plays Cliff's girlfriend, and Mark Heap, who is hilariously cast as a middle-aged football fanatic, also add to the overall enjoyment of the movie.

The movie not only brings to light the extreme passion that people have for their favourite sport but also highlights the turmoil that everyday people can go through. It shows how people's decisions and actions can have consequences that they never intended, and how they must face the repercussions.

Kicking Off is shot in the suburbs of London, in real locations like local pubs, parks and the streets, which gives it an authentic feel. The film uses clever and witty dialogues, and the comedic timing of the actors is impeccable, making it a movie that will leave you laughing throughout. The movie also manages to create tension and drama in the right places, without losing its comedic edge.

Overall, Kicking Off is a classic comedy that resonates with football fans and non-football fans alike. It is well-written, well-acted and brilliantly directed. If you are looking for a light-hearted movie that will make you laugh out loud, Kicking Off is the perfect choice.

Kicking Off is a 2016 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.8.