Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins

Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins is a 2021 crime drama film that serves as a prequel to the previous entries in the Footsoldier franchise. The film stars Vinnie Jones, Craig Fairbrass, and Bronson Webb in lead roles and is directed by Nick Nevern.

Set in the late 1980s, the movie follows the story of Pat Tate (Craig Fairbrass), a young and ambitious criminal who seeks to rise up the ranks of the Essex underworld. Pat's primary aim is to make a name for himself in the local criminal community and become the most feared and powerful gangster in town.

As Pat begins his quest for power, he forms an alliance with his childhood friend, Carlton Leach (Vinnie Jones), who is also a rising star in the criminal underworld. Together, they come up with a plan that involves muscling in on the territory of the established gangsters and stealing their drug trafficking system.

As they begin to execute their plan, the duo soon finds themselves in over their heads and in the sights of other, more established gangs. The situation escalates further when they attract the attention of the notorious criminal, Tony Tucker (Terry Stone), who is not happy with their meddling in his affairs.

As the tension mounts and the stakes get higher, Pat and Carlton must use all their cunning and ruthlessness to survive in a game of cat and mouse with some of the most dangerous criminals in Essex.

The movie is a brutal and unflinching look at the rise of organized crime in the UK, with a particular focus on the Essex area. The cast is excellent, with Vinnie Jones in particular giving a standout performance as the tough-talking Carlton Leach.

The film is well-paced, with plenty of action and tense moments, and the production design does an excellent job of capturing the gritty, urban feel of the late 1980s.

Overall, Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins is a solid entry in the Footsoldier franchise and is sure to please fans of the previous films or anyone looking for a gritty, no-holds-barred crime drama.