FIRST REVIEW: 'Brotherhood' Lives up to the 'Kidulthood' Legacy, and Stormzy Shines

It’s also a film about getting older, and that comes across in two of the film’s best new elements. One is Arnold Oceng as Sam’s comedy sidekick, a happily married dad way out his depth in the criminal world. On paper, giving Sam a ‘comedy sidekick’ seems like the worst idea in the world, but it works, as it kind of ends up in a way making Sam look like the ridiculous one for still wanting to act like a wannabe gangster in his forties — there comes a time when we all need to grow up and start acting our age. Plus Oceng is genuinely, utterly hilarious in the role, stealing every scene he’s in. And these two dads goofing about are perfectly contrasted with a group of new kids that are introduced, with none other than Stormzy in his acting debut amongst their number. It would have been easy mistake to make this film and act like Noel Clarke was still the same kid he was wrote the first one — but instead these kids openly make fun of this old dude trying to roll with them (there’s a particularly great bit where they rip him for trying to call them “blood”). It shows the franchise still has the pulse on the city of London, even if it’s coming from an older perspective now.

Stormzy also doesn’t embarrass himself at all — far from looking like he was cast just to cash in his success, and grime in general, he actually fits in really well. His 6 ft 5 stature and natural charisma make him a great henchman, and while he obviously isn’t given too much to do acting wise, he has one big scene with Oceng were he shows both dramatic talent and comedic timing. Overall, Brotherhood is not a disappointment. It’ll never have the impact the original had, but it’s a big, enjoyable, and sometimes powerful British movie that captures its London setting and has enough call-backs to Kidulthood to keep fans happy. We couldn’t have expected much more. And now let's see where Noel Clarke goes as a filmmaker from here.

Brotherhood is in cinemas August 29.