Age of Kill Review

'He used to be in Eastenders!' my partner pointed to Martin Kemp as she mouthed another of those new giant sized M&M's (the blue ones are the best, by the way).

I nodded, thinking I'm old enough to remember him when he was in that 1980's new romantic band, Spandau Ballet.

The lyrics of their 1983 single which got to No 2 in the hit parade popped into my head - I used to sing it in the schoolyard, all the while flicking my, stiff with too much Falcon hairspray for men, quiff to attract the girls.


Gold
Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible
Always believe in, because you are
Gold



Now my quiff's gone, replaced by a greying mop and Martin Kemp's thrown away his too tight trousers for the  designer jeans and T-shirts of Sam Burke, ex Black OPs sniper in Neil Jones's new thriller, Age of Kill. The blurb tells us that this is Taken meets 24 and there is something in that description. Martin Kemp's character find himself forced into a world of madness when his daughter is taken hostage by a mysterious terrorist. Out of options and with no one to turn to, Blake is forced to carry out the terrorist's evil bidding and must assassinate six seemingly random targets within six hours.  That's one a hour, maths fans.

Director, Neil Jones might have shot this film with a lens dipped in amphetamine such is the speed in which we are hurtled from one incredible set piece to another. Kemp is absolutely brilliant and certainly looks the part and he is supported by a set of quality British actors such as Phil Davies and Dexter Fletcher. One actor deserves special mention and he is Nick Moran who  plays the slimy leader of a far right political group with a performance very much based on Nick Griffin.

There are times when the low budget shows through but overall this is an adrenaline rush of a movie. Available now on DVD and I say go get it.