3.5/5
The Covenant
8 Episodes. Starring: Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, Joely Richardson, Vinnie Jones, Giancarlo Esposito & Ray Winstone. Created By: Guy Ritchie. On: Netflix.
Lock, stock, and one smoking pot farm. A month after the Japanese release of great Brit director Guy Ritchie's modern warfare with Jake Gyllenhaal, who also has a home for his 'Road House' remake vehicle on Amazon Prime this week, Ritchie strikes up a covenant with his 2019 movie 'The Gentlemen' in this Guy's eight-part wonder of a spin-off series on Netflix. And even though it's a little less than Jake, a major player from 'Guy Ritchie's The Covenant' pops up from the pill box in a gangster glam and grime series that is chock-full of classic cameos. But alas, there are no cameos from the 2019 caper of the same name. No Hugh Grant. No Colin Farrell pronouncing names wrong as he tells you to calm the "f", or something to that effect, down. Or Matthew McConaughey. But it's alright, times three. Even if 'The Gentlemen' season one on Netflix doesn't hit the heights of Charlie Hunnam shooting into the air like a Jonah Hill 'War Dog' in 'The Gentlemen' after telling some C U Next Tuesday that he couldn't back up a phone. He tried to be nice. And this series really is. Bringing out the stocked big guns with 'Breaking Bad' and 'The Mandalorian's' big bad Giancarlo Esposito like you hope the new X-Men does as Professor Charles Xavier. Not to mention the big smoke of the acting legend of London gangsterism, the Ray Winstone. As iconic and legendary as his palms out reaction to the interviewer who asked him if he'd rather win the Oscar for Best Actor or have West Ham win the Premier League.
You know the rest. Whilst we still hope to snatch a 'Sherlock' sequel to complete the trilogy of the classic sleuth incarnation we prefer to that other Avenger on the brilliant BBC series, Ritchie returns to the rich world he knows best. And to the manor born his royal appointment to the IP of his most original sequel of sorts makes him the lordship of the gold rings and brass knuckles. Downton Abbey this is not, even if the lines are blurred with this little old house in the country that serves as an Oasis to all those popular Brits who wish they were made for more than Chelsea or 'The Riot Club'. Scoff at these toffs all you like, but this affair is more like the jewels of 'The Crown' meeting the housing estate chav beginnings of 'Kingsman', before Giancarlo brings the American 'Statesmen' class. Better get your Argyle and crushed leather ready like Henry Cavill, because this show serves as 'The Divergent Series', 'The Witcher' and 'London Fields' star Theo James' Bond audition. Even though our new 007 may have already been cast quicksilver faster than you can say, "I thought it was gonna be Idris". Theo's terrific take on the classic British gentleman with more hiding behind the crawl space of his closet of brogues is one of such restrained dignity, you feel like you've seen him before, even if, like me, you haven't watched 'The Divergent' films yet. He has so much presence. Subtle in its power. A star of the future that you feel like has been in bigger roles. But this is it. He actually started his career in an abbey more Downton than this downtown character too.
Next to this James that would be King like a Cavalier, not to mention all the big names and familiar faces showing up in this Ritchie legend, you need someone who can hold their own. And stealing the series, 'Skins' star Kaya Scodelario has plenty of that in this game, working Theo like the godmother that this queenpin could be. Scodelario has shown up in prominent parts of the 'Maze Runner', 'Resident Evil' and 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' franchises, but now, like James, this is where she will make her name. This power, will they be a couple, or just business partners, will soon make you forget about all the big names from the 2019 picture that are missing like the bottom of the Thames. But what a sequel movie smash-up they would all make in this legacy. Especially with royal f### up, but comic relief of Daniel Ings ('The English Game', 'Black Mirror') dancing like a subservient chicken whilst a classic character actor looks on with a perfect Scouse accent like you didn't think he had another level like a 90s British R&B group straight outta London. Not to mention 'The Tudors' and 'Maybe Baby' joy of Joely Richardson and one big Guy name that does make it back to Ritchie's canon holding a smoking shotgun as this country mansion's groundsmen with the best name for a pet hedgehog. When 'Lock Stock' first came out, with two shotguns held up like swords, former Wimbledon FC footballer Vinnie Jones became a movie star like the time of London's crime syndicate became cinematic like De Niro and Pacino. Thanks to Ritchie. Vinnie had Hollywood by the balls like Peter Beardsley. He was even the Juggernaut, b####! But how good it is to see him back where he belongs with these gangsters and gents. This gentleman's agreement, with all that came, before is a firm handshake that looks forward to the next time we meet. Your Grace. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'The Gentlemen (2019)', 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels', 'Guy Ritchie's The Covenant'.
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