I went to the local filmed premier of Hooligan Factory in Plymouth Vue Cinema. I also had the hype thrust at me for weeks before on both Facebook and Twitter. Unfortunately, the film itself failed to live up to the hype that social media had given it. Hooligan Factory is funny in parts, in fact the first scene of Danny Dyer getting his head blown off was quite hilarious and reminiscent of the shootings in Rise of the Footsoldier and Bonded By Blood. But it all goes downhill from there .... with Social Media advertising it as the funniest film we will see, and Messrs Nevern and Maza hyping it up constantly, I was expecting more laughs. Hooligan Factory has a very talented and well-known cast whether it was in cameo roles or leading. The script comes across as somewhat amateur, if not copied from others, which, being a parody of all the hooligan films to date it would be. So .... it's well worth a watch on a rainy Saturday evening. But don't go expecting a Hollywood style comedy because unless you love hooligan films, you won't get it.

OK hands up, back in the 1980s, like many lads, I used to go to football, and yep, I wore the gear, (anyone else remember Nick Nacks, down Rupert Street?) I went to "dance"... To be fair, I still do wear the gear, and still go to the match, though being 49, a bit too rich to be rolling around in the dust these days ;) I enjoyed this, a lot, the references to Essex Boys, Goodfellas, The Firm (both versions), Green Street, the Football factory was funny and the Danny Dyer style of narration was great. Lots of genuine laugh out loud moments, (when Dex meets his son Curtis) and when Dex and Midnight drop some E tabs and the ensuing scenes had me genuinely laughing. OK, its not totally highbrow and if you have never been "ITK" or watched the films above, you probably wont enjoy it. Me? Yeah I liked it. Don't expect many Oscar nominations though.

The shelves of British supermarkets are filled with DVD titles with the word 'Hooligan' in them and now finally comes one that's actually worth watching. Sending up the recent spate of Hooligan and Gangster films that have swamped the straight to DVD market and kicking off with the Ranger Rover Essex Murders gone wrong with a nice cameo from Danny Dyer, this sets the parody tone for the rest of the film.Danny (The always excellent Jason Maza) has no direction in his life but soon finds himself embroiled with Dex,(Nick Nevern) Football Hooligan Topboy, recently released from prison who sports a nice line in neon tracksuit ware. Dex and his gang hang out in the not at all camp 'Iron Hoof' bar, always entering by the back door to avoid the Police, where they plan to square up against long time rival 'The Baron' who presides over another firm. Okay so the football hooligan version of This Is Spinal Tap this isn't, but the laughs are not thin on the ground as Nevern (Who also co wrote and directs) keeps the gags coming thick and fast. The introduction to many characters in his football gang is a classic nod to the Goodfella's gangster hang out introduction scene and its a funny homage of the first order which will have me buying the DVD for alone. ('Freddy the Nonce - Come in the toilets I've got something to show ya..') As with the actual films of this genre its very male led heavy with the few female characters not given much to do as the male testosterone hots up leading up to the big meet but perhaps that is the point because non comical films of this type give them even less to do. Nevern has compiled an impressive supporting cast which features several up and coming British Actors including Josef Atlin (Check out his performance in A Long Way Down)Ronnie Fox, Ray Fearon and Tom Burke who is already one of the best of his generation. Every character is a nod to an already existing stereotype in films of this type and then sent up to maximum comic effect, some work better than others but the cast all put in a maximum effort and it certainly pays off. Jason Maza with his natural on screen charisma anchors the whole piece nicely as the narrator and lead role of Danny and Nevern does an uncompromising job as both actor and director in keeping the tone of the piece in the way he intended. The look and the music of the film are well thought to compliment the comedy and may have you reaching for your nearest Kappa tracksuit wear store. What makes the film all the more incredible is the budget and time in which it was shot in which was very tight on both counts. Though that has not been a factor on this review as it has to stand on its own two feet, it is still a remarkable achievement on its own worth mentioning. While not everything in the film is perfect and some gags fall flat, the most important thing about comedy films is that they should make you laugh and I will imagine in a couple of years time when someone says to you 'What was the last British comedy that really made you laugh?' instead of struggling to think of one, your answer could well be 'The Hooligan Factory' (Unless you're a total lemon)

I watched this on the night of the premier, it was being beamed direct from there to Crawley and other cinemas all over the country, I wasn't sure what to expect, but being familiar with Nick Nevern and knowing what a quality actor he is, I was expecting good things, well I was wrong, because what I got, were great things, the writing ,direction, casting were all top notch , it really is a funny, very, very funny film, full of cameos from actor from films of the genre this film is parodying , it never fails to deliver and is the funniest British Film since 'Hot Fuzz' you don't need to like hooligan films to love this because it is a superb comedy movie, you are guaranteed to laugh all the way through, and be blown away from the acting of Nick Nevern (also the director and co writer) Jason Maza ,Lorraine Stanley, Josef Atlin etc. etc, lots of well known faces show up throughout the movie, including a very funny one from the brilliant Jeff Stewart (Reg Hollis) . For a film to look this good for the relatively low budget is testament to Nevern, who I predicted great things for, many years ago when he completely out-acted every other cast member in a couple of episodes, of one of my favourite shows 'Dream Team' I am sure he will soon be making films in Hollywood and I wouldn't think Jason Maza will be far behind him, who is an English version of a young De Niro (imo).I would recommend any film fan to give this a look, you'll love it, and at the same time you will be supporting British movies, because whatever you say comedy is done best by The Brits.More please Nevern, Lyndley and Maza!