From the second I heard that the hugely popular BBC television series was going to be made into a film I was filled with excitement. I was really quite upset when the BBC chose to axe what had to be one of their most popular television series to make room for other television drama (with the exception of Poldark, I have yet to see anything that gripped me as much as Spooks did).
Spooks: For the Greater Good is exactly like the television series which will delight fans, filled with twists and turns as well as uncertainty about who to trust.
The basic plot: when a terrorist escapes custody during a routine handover operation, Will Holloway must joins forces with the disgraced MI5 Intelligence Chief Harry Pearce to track him down before a devastating terrorist attack takes place in London. Any other information is classified.
It is heart-racing and exciting in equal measures that never slows down and while that means in places it is hard to keep up with what is happening it does the original series justice.
For me personally it is better in quality than any of the James Bond films because it isn’t about the gadgets or the girls it is purely getting on with the job and is certainly more gritty and believable than James Bond.
By keeping what made the show interesting to watch on the small screen it becomes more dramatic on the big screen – leading me and my friend to jumping whenever something unexpected happens!
The only question for me is do you have to have seen the television series itself to understand what is happening on the big screen? Well not for the plot itself but there are references to characters not seen on screen that for newcomers might not make sense.
All of the performances are excellent – led by Kit Harrington as Will and Peter Firth as Harry trying to save the country once again. There is a wonderful partnership between the pair as the tension grows into a thrilling climax.
But they are also supported well by Jennifer Ehle, Tuppence Middleton, Tim McInnery and David Harewood – all of whom also have key parts to play in the film and ensuring that the audience doesn’t guess too soon any plot details.
I would like to apologise if I’m being all vague about the plot details but I have no desire to ruin it for those who are planning on seeing it soon and it is one of those films that you are better off only knowing vague details of what to expect.
It is a sharp and focused film, that some might argue has just a few too many plot twists to make it slightly confusing but it is still an edge-of-your-seat ride that keeps the audience hooked from beginning to end.