Okay, let's talk Rise of the Footsoldier 3: The Pat Tate Story. It's a proper British crime flick, isn't it? And let's be honest, the cast is half the fun.
The Usual Suspects (and Why I Low-Key Love Them)
First up, we've got Craig Fairbrass as Pat Tate. He IS Pat Tate. I know, I know, he's been Pat Tate in like, every other Footsoldier movie, but hear me out.
He just nails that hard-as-nails, no-nonsense vibe. It's almost comforting at this point. Like a gruff, crime-lord teddy bear.
Then there's Terry Stone, back as Tony Tucker. Another familiar face. Can't have a Footsoldier film without Tony getting into some sort of trouble.
He's like the lovable rogue, even if his "loveable" involves dodgy deals and questionable fashion choices. I find it highly amusing, anyway.
New Faces, Same Violence (But That's Why We're Here, Right?)
Now, a big draw for this one was the arrival of Larry Lamb. He plays Bernard O’Mahoney. Proper acting royalty, that one!
Okay, unpopular opinion time. I actually think he stole the show. There's something about seeing such a respected actor playing this sort of role.
Adds a certain weight, doesn’t it? He just had the right balance between menacing and believable. A standout performance, if you ask me.
We also had Jamie Foreman, playing Dave Simms. Foreman is a brilliant addition. Always good to see him pop up!
He brings a certain grit and authenticity to every role. A true master of the British crime genre. Let’s face it, he was born for it!
And Josh Myers as Guvnor. He captures the volatile nature of the character well. It makes him someone you hate and love all at once.
The Unsung Heroes (My Personal Favourites)
Okay, let’s give a shout-out to some of the supporting cast. Those faces you recognise but maybe don't know the names of.
They really flesh out the world and make it believable. Let’s remember, these films are loosely based on real events. So, these actors bring the story to life.
I’m not going to lie, I’m terrible with names. But there's always that one guy who plays the super-dodgy associate.
He always looks like he’s about to grass on someone, for example. They are very important roles, and they never get enough credit. True heroes.
"It wouldn't be a proper gangster film without a cast of colourful characters, would it?"
The Verdict?
Look, Rise of the Footsoldier 3 isn't winning any Oscars, and that's fine. It knows what it is and it delivers.
It delivers on the violence. It delivers on the dodgy haircuts and it delivers on the over-the-top characters. And if you are anything like me, then you can't say fairer than that.
The cast is perfect for what it is. A proper ensemble of British hard men (and women, let’s not forget the women!). It is perfect.
Sure, some of the acting might be a bit… enthusiastic. But that's part of the charm, isn't it? Adds to the whole experience.
Basically, if you like your crime flicks gritty, violent, and unapologetically British, then you’ll probably enjoy Rise of the Footsoldier 3. Just don’t expect Shakespeare.
And if you're anything like me, you'll secretly enjoy it even more than you're willing to admit. Because sometimes, you just need a bit of good old-fashioned gangster mayhem.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to re-watch it. For research purposes, obviously.
