Blue Story

For a big screen directing debut, "Blue Story" is pretty accomplished.

It's a vital story about contemporary London.

The emphatic style can be repetitive, but it's confident work that crucially doesn't condescend to the youth audience best placed to receive its sobering pacifist message.

A moving, urgent, energetic drama inspired by south London's postcode gang rivalries.

A timeless, even old-fashioned cautionary tale; one that resonates the same whether you're a Jet or a Shark or just a kid on the other side of the Atlantic, trying to make it out of this world alive.

Blue Story, at its essence, is a narrative you've seen before. But Onwubolu vests it with firecracker energy-the pace never drags, even when you think you know what's going to happen next.

Blue Story is a movie that should be seen, no matter how tough.

While the action may lead to a predictable ending, Blue Story is a polished film whose message is timely and important.

It's brutal, raw, and often hard to watch - and hard to understand at times. However, it is striking and will stay with you well after you watch it. The storytelling, with narrative hip hop interludes from Rapman is totally unique and fresh.

A strong debut from Rapman, who shows an eye for visual dynamics, an ear for tone and a sense of swift, energized pacing - all signs of exceptional auteurism.