Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins
SIGNATUREThere is a slight irony that Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins, the purported last and fifth entry into the Footsoldier franchise, is arguably the best entry into this fleeting saga since its debut feature in 2007.
After the third entry, Rise of the Footsoldier has slowly but surely unravelled in consistent prequel form. This allocates multiple divisions of story that the screenwriters and producers are able to work backwards and craft unique and often ridiculous circumstances, the predecessor of this feature being a perfect example. The quite clear and what is an on-the-nose issue of this franchise is that the features characters are getting younger, but the actors almost doubled in age since their first on-screen performance. It is quite clearly played for laughs, and while it works, it is an absolutely ridiculous attribute on-screen and, for unknowing viewers, is an element that will cause great confusion and ridicule.
Four letter c-words and macho testosterone fill the running time with the franchise returnees showcasing the genre conventions fans have come to love and adore. Nevertheless, those die-hard fans will not be disappointed in the conventions and infamous elements that occupy this franchise. Craig Fairbass returns in a more minor, albeit vital, role for returning fans to clammer towards. Still, it is fan favourite Terry Stone that takes centre stage and, in actual fact, crafts a bittersweet part in terms of a performance that feels as if it has been missing in this fifteen-year-old franchise.
This is the central aspect of what makes Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins both different and refreshing. Granted, while the comedic undertones are present, they feel undoubtedly toned down and in its wake, quite surprisingly so, is a more grounded and emotionally fuelled venture. Topics such as drug and alcohol addiction, mental health, and slight inclusions of political and social commentary fuel a greater weight to proceedings than have been seen before.
It is quite clear which crowd director Nick Nevern's feature is aiming towards. While it might be on the more patriotic and national focused male demographic, writer Andrew Loveday does a decent job of presenting darker and more sophisticated overtones that build substance to the characters. It is not much by any means compared to the contemporary crowd as Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins is an entry into a specifically tonally crafted franchise, but the presentation of the more mature tones is a welcome addition.
Nevertheless, as this is the supposed last entry into this prequel series, there is only one way it can inevitably find itself and while that road is the most predictable – even offering a surprise and nod to eventual stories that started this saga – the material that Terry Stone is able to work with adds enough intrigue and interest for the audience to take Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins as an entity on its own.
It feels a little sad that this franchise is coming to an end with an entry that takes the most risks in terms of tone and material. Setting out to craft a unique and diverse tonal venture but one that is not to be explored and continued feels slightly disappointing in that it finally feels as if it has found a strong, grounded foundation. Nevertheless, this is a feature that fans will adore and see the bridesmaid Terry Stone eventually become the bride and craft a fine performance with the weight of this feature on his shoulders; it feels like a perfect end to a strange albeit successful saga.
