Today’s quick review: Welcome to the Punch. Three years after he was shot by Jacob Sternwood (Mark Strong), a notorious bank robber, driven London cop Max Lewinsky (James McAvoy) gets another chance to catch the criminal when Sternwood’s son is involved in a shooting. But even with Sternwood drawn out of hiding, catching him proves difficult, and Max’s problems are compounded by the lingering questions surrounding the shooting.
Welcome to the Punch is a crime thriller set in modern-day London. A well-constructed plot, capable direction, and a decent dose of action make Welcome to the Punch a solid midlist thriller. At the same time, its downer tone, weak supporting cast, and limited payoff keep it from rising much higher. The result is a decent but unexceptional crime drama with just enough going on to be worthwhile.
Welcome to the Punch’s main draw is its plot. Though it starts out ordinarily, the story unfolds into a competent mystery involving a tragic shooting, a London crime wave, and shady culprits who have both Max and Jacob at a loss. The plot progresses smoothly, and while the payoff is not smart enough to make Welcome to the Punch a great movie, it is enough to make the movie compelling and cohesive.
Beyond its plot, Welcome to the Punch offers decent action, a solid pair of lead actors, and little else. The plot is winding enough to make the film’s hundred minutes feel full, but the story still has little going on compared to higher-budget productions. James McAvoy delivers a skilled performance as an injured, bitter, and obsessed cop, but Mark Strong is misused, playing a fairly neutral character with little flavor of his own.
Watch Welcome to the Punch when you are in the mood for a decent crime thriller without any frills. Most viewers would be better off looking for a thriller with more of a reputation, but those looking for an idle watch with a serious tone and a fairly meaty plot should check it out.
6.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a good plot and average overall quality.