Sorted certainly could have been better, but it was not bad in my opinion. It does have its problems, but it also has its high points too.
The problems:
1. The script does have its weaknesses. There are times when it wants to go somewhere but it doesn't. And you also get the sense you've heard it before. That said though, it does also have some nice touches.
2. I liked the idea of the plot, but when it came to on film it felt predictable and convoluted.
3. The ending or shall I say the last 30 minutes could have been much more, it left me somewhat frustrated. This is the sort of film that starts off really well, but meanders in the second half. Compared to how well done most parts were in Sorted, the ending was seemingly devoid of tension.
The good things:
1. The soundtrack is the obvious one. It is one that really makes you want to get up and dance and join in with the fun. I admit I am not a huge fan of techno, but surprisingly I found that my foot was tapping in time to the beat.
2. The club scenes are mesmerising, very nicely shot and captures the feel of dancing in a club very well.
3. The pacing is surprisingly well done. The film does move quite briskly and has a lot of energy and verve, and very rarely does it lag.
4. In terms of filming, it is very stylish. The cinematography is crisp, the landscapes are dazzling and the lighting is inventive. The effects were also very good, I liked the fast moving clouds and the morphing backgrounds, it did add to the gritty atmosphere and tone of the film.
5. Alexander Jovy's direction is very efficient. Sometimes direction in this sort of film can plod or become unfocused, but Jovy ensured that the film moved quickly and it was very focused.
6. Personally I thought the acting wasn't that bad. The characters are somewhat clichéd, the naive girlfriend, transvestite DJ and Shakespeare-mangling drugs baron are in a sense not exactly unfamiliar territory, though it is not everyday where a drugs baron mangles Shakespeare. The actors regardless do an adept job I feel, for Matthew Rhys gives a strong and charismatic lead performance. Sienna Guillory looks gorgeous and acts convincingly, while Jason Donovan comes close to stealing the show.
But I for one do not understand the criticisms of Tim Curry's performance as Damian Kemp, his character is unexceptional to a degree, but Curry's performance is better than people give credit for. He is a wonderful and underrated actor and shouldn't be dismissed as a ham(Vincent Price was hammy and I like him too a lot); his roles in Rocky Horror and Three Musketeers were quite slimy and over the top, then again the former was MEANT to be, but Legend, It and Captain Hook in Peter Pan and the Pirates were not hammy, quite the contrary, It especially he was very frightening in and Peter Pan and the Pirates is one of his best voice overs in a very complex character role.
Overall, this was a flawed but decent movie, well made with a great soundtrack and a good atmosphere but it could have been better with a more focused script, plot and ending. 7/10 Bethany Cox
