User reviews

Gangs of London is just a flat out awesome show. I do agree with most of the reviews that season 1 was better than 2. Even though season 2 is still worth watching, it just doesn't measure up to the greatness which was season 1. Some people don't like it because of how brutal it gets but I don't get what they were expecting from a show about gangs? It is so much more than just some action show too...it's a very intense drama that will keep you at the edge of your seat. Some people want to compare it to Peaky Blinders and while it's not quite as good as that it's still a really good show. I think because both are violent British crime dramas they get compared a lot. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes a good action drama.

Violence occurs not only in London but Internationally. It begins as a family response to the killing of a godfather figure in London that held the various gangs together for the greater good. With his demise killing became the focus of this series. But, if that was all there is to the series it would be completely unwatchable. The series goes much deeper than the violence and gore as individuals in the different gangs attempt to survive as well as retaliating against the violence directed at them. There are betrayals as well as loyalties and there are efforts to protect family members as the incredible violence increases. Some scenes are so intense and gory it becomes difficult to not avert watching. The one missing element in the series is a significant lack of law enforcement involvement with all of the unrelenting carnage occurring. There also is a total lack of morality with virtually every principle character.

This has probably the most brutal opening of any show I've ever seen and it just keeps getting wilder. There's so much action(created by the guy who directed The Raid movies), so much tension, so much build up, domuch violence. It's really quite fantastic and I find myself biting my nails or staring in disbelief frequently with each episode. Characters are real and raw, talking and acting like real people. There's some corny shots of symbolism in some episodes that are a bit on the nose but the violence, the fights, the intrigue and acting are all top notch. I'd have loved more seasons of this.

A saga of criminal intrigue that mixes ruthless and intense action with even more cruel crime lord manipulatons. The story grabs you and doesn't let go, I'm talking about the first season. The scenes of cruel and bloody action are formidable, one of the best I have seen, great quality. A dose of violence rarely achieved.

The story of this family of gangsters, the Wallace family, is interesting and has very unexpected and unpredictable moments.

The feeling of mercy bleeds inside many of these characters as much as any of their murders. And despite everything they don't seem to have a choice, they live locked in a destructive spiral.

Lets not forget the camera work, which shows a multitude of tracking angles. Absolutely fascinating!

You will like some actors more than others, logical in a series with so many characters and families, that is what it is about, keeping you in continuous tension and placing the viewer in a world of violence and cruelty like I have never seen before. Again, it is all about power and more and more money.

Exaggeratedly unrealistic from time to time, but it didn't bother me at all.

I recommend this first season without a doubt, a lot of extreme and cruel action and very well staged, with a somewhat different story due to its international nature.

Finally...a solid British crime drama! It's quite bloody and gory, but that's passé in today's crime noir. I loved how different characters were developed and entire episodes dedicated to them - resulted in a much richer story! Although it's an English drama, there's tons of dialogue in Kurdish, Georgian, Albanian, Urdu, etc. Really appreciated this, especially as it brought in a truly diverse cast. But above all, the betrayals and compromises make this a gripping tale across two seasons!

Ignore the snooty reviews and doubters, grab your favourite beverage and snack, and get ready to binge the two seasons. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope you will too.

My only negative point is, I wish the final episode of the second season was better written. It could have been much stronger, with perhaps some unexpected character deaths. But I'll leave you to opine after watching it...

Gang of London, a serie as we like them shenanigans, mega plots and ultra violent fights. Very good casting, so happy to see Joe Cole on a series (even if i can't wait to discover him in a other role than that of a gangster). The story takes a back seat to the visuals for those who are addicted to consistency and non-exaggeration. A casting made up of several actors who have already proven themselves on other series. We find a little Peaky Blinders and even Snatch atmosphere in gang life. It's all said in the title....it's "Gang"! And it's not the petty settling of city scores, noooo it's "Organized Bands" of high-flying big banditry! Story of succession, pact, betrayal, revenge and turnaround with the little BUTCHERIE sauce, I'm done again!

No need for a crazy scenario, we quickly get to the heart of the matter... its live section! The fight scenes are simply... magnificent. I recommend it without hesitation.

Sure, season 1 had its issues. Unbelievable scenarios, undercooked characters and weird pacing with it peaking at the halfway point, and then lumbering onwards. So yeah, you had to turn a significant portion of grey matter off to enjoy it, but man, it was worth it for the fights/shootouts choreography, editing and brutality. And if you could suspend the huge amount of disbelief and shark jumping, it was pretty entertaining with how over the top it ended up being.

Season 2, on the other hand, has made the mistake of doubling down on all the ridiculous and sub par elements of character writing and plot, asking us to turn off our brains to the point of drooling lobotomy, whilst offering almost none of the rewards of excellent fights/shootouts, editing, creative camerawork and crazy conspiracy cheese of the previous season.

I can't even be bothered to list or explain how bad all the elements of season 2 are. It is just SO stupid, it's beyond belief! Beyond the suspension of disbelief capability of anything with a consciousness.

From the practically total absence of police/ bystanders or concern for leaving evidence everywhere. Like just dragging a freshly murdered gangster from a car, for no reason, in front of security cameras and an amazingly oblivious staff member. To having a skinny woman who you could believe with some effort, could be capable of shooting many men in season 1, to entirely unbelievably beating a number of beefy men in hand to hand combat in season 2. To the point where a main character somehow has a 10x zoom level on a 1x optic at the end, to the ammo capacity of handguns rivalling a drum magazine, to the very poorly integrated digital blood/fire/explosion effects... to even call season 2 stupid is an insult to stupidity.

I don't know if the new producers, apparent non-involvement of Gareth Evans, if the budget was drastically reduced, if some kind of Covid related restrictions/ people just not bothering to do a half decent job at anything any more, or what is responsible for it... but it is borderline unwatchable now. However it does continue the story and have occasional flashes of what made season 1 good.

I can't fathom anyone greenlighting a season 3 after this, but if they do, they'd better make sure they wrap it up with a home run.

Here's the issue with trying to review series, where one season is vastly inferior to another. I'm leaving my overall rating as is, for the excellence in parts of season 1, which truly do deserve merit.

Season 1 - 8/10.

Season 2 - 4/10.

Some of the best hand-to-hand fight scenes since the Bourne movies. Really fresh choreography and rawness to them, very cleverly staged.

The plots are hit and miss, some feel tired and predictable, some redundant. Following the undercover cop is compelling, and the gang lieutenant father/son pair is well done. Wish there were better female roles. The main guy Sean is very dull and how many times must we watch him standing on a roof staring at London?

Rest of the acting is solid, the camerawork and editing and music are great.

Since the acting, dialogue, and action was good I kept watching, hoping for more interesting plots to unfold.

Gangs of London is like a chaotic game of chess played by hooligans in the streets of Britain. This TV show takes the concept of organized crime and turns it into a bloody masterpiece. It's like watching a Shakespearean tragedy, but with more guns and explosions. The characters are as complex as a Rubik's Cube, and just as colorful. From the ruthless Finn Wallace to the enigmatic Elliot Finch, each one is like a piece on the board, moving with their own agenda. But be warned, this show is not for the faint of heart. It's like diving headfirst into a pool of sharks, where every episode leaves you gasping for air. So, if you're looking for a thrilling rollercoaster ride that will leave you questioning your own morality, then Gangs of London is the show for you.

The action in Gangs of London is like a fireworks display on Guy Fawkes Night. It's explosive, mesmerizing, and leaves you in awe. From the first episode to the last, the show delivers jaw-dropping fight scenes that will make your adrenaline spike. It's like watching a ballet, but instead of tutus and pointe shoes, you have blood and broken bones. The choreography is impeccable, and the violence is as British as a cup of tea. But don't let the action distract you from the intricate plot. It's like a spider's web, weaving together the different gangs and their power struggles. Each twist and turn is like a punch to the gut, leaving you breathless and wanting more.

Now, let's talk about the performances in Gangs of London. They are like a symphony conducted by a madman. Each actor brings their A-game, delivering performances that are as captivating as a Shakespearean soliloquy. Joe Cole as Sean Wallace is a force to be reckoned with, portraying the conflicted heir to the throne with intensity and vulnerability. But it's Sope Dirisu as Elliot Finch who steals the show. His performance is like a magic trick, keeping you guessing and questioning his motives until the very end. And let's not forget about Michelle Fairley as Marian Wallace, the matriarch of the family. Her performance is like a thunderstorm, commanding attention and leaving you in awe of her power.

In conclusion, Gangs of London is a wild ride that will leave you on the edge of your seat. It's like a rollercoaster that takes you through the dark underbelly of the city, where danger lurks around every corner. The show is a masterclass in storytelling, with a plot that is as intricate as a spider's web. The action is explosive and the performances are top-notch. But be warned, this show is not for the faint of heart. It's like diving into a pool of sharks, where every episode leaves you gasping for air. So, if you're ready to embark on a thrilling and bloody journey, then buckle up and join the gangs of London. Just don't forget to bring a helmet and a bulletproof vest.

Gangs of London had the basis, and opportunity to create a gritty, sprawling, crime action-thriller that navigates the complexities of international gangs in the city.

Sadly it's laced with poorly acted cartoon characters, over the top violence, and unrealistic plot lines.

It's so frustratingly disappointing it makes me want to shoot up a countryside cottage with my chain gun from a helicopter .

It's hard to maintain interest as you navigate the comic book approach, set piece action, staged scenes and at times poor acting.

It's like watching England play football. Hopeful throughout, frustrated and ultimately disappointed.

Look, a lot of this show is unrealistic, but it's John Wick unrealistic...which means it's unrealistic hyper-reality but still works. At least for me. I absolutely *loved* season 1 and told friends it was the best show since Peaky Blinders. It had some of the best, if not the best, fight scenes I'd ever seen in a TV show. They used their environments and were highly creative. It reminded me of The Raid movie which, extremely minor spoiler, is shown in the background of season 2. Then I watched season 2 and told them it didn't come close to season 1, even with the suspension of reality. I don't know if they replaced the fight coordinator, or what, but it was like the difference between Jaws and Jaws 3. Now it's hard to recommend anything beyond season 1, although I think the second season can be split in two. The first half is absolutely terrible (akin to the Scream movies where the damsel in distress runs up the stairs instead of out of the house). It's inexcusably bad and nonsensical. The second half is unquestionably better than the first half, but that's still not saying much. Season 2 is about 30% of the quality of the first season. They need to get the original writers back, fight coordinator back or whoever they didn't include for the second season if there's to be any hope for season 3.

I dont think that the producers set out to make a realistic portrayal of gang life in London. This was created for entertainment purposes and needs to be viewed as such. Gareth Evans forte is extreme action sequences and this is undoubtedly where this series excels. The action set pieces are truly intense and very over the top. People don't just get killed on this show. they are butchered and the concept of less is more is left on the floor as teams of machine gun wielding mercenaries do battle with crazed criminal families and drug kingpins in seemingly never ending gunfights. The police never seem to hear all this gunplay and the criminals are able to "clean up". Now, i find all this totally acceptable ...as I said this is not an in depth of portrayal of gang culture in London it is a series made in the spirit of entertainment for those of us who like their action as stylised as a Kung Fu movie with a side order of extra tomato sauce ...by the bucket load!!

Wow just wow, the violence on show must be seen to be believed in some scenes. I have never seen anything like it. Some of the episodes are truly fantastic, episode 5 is some of the best TV you will see on that barnsite.

This show started matured with solid storyline and multifaceted characters, but after the first two or so episodes it started to fall in the predictable zone, and the plotline gets worse as it goes on. The characters do things conveniently with no real-life consequences, be it killing people in broad daylight, or taking down an entire building, and the police or authority in GOL-universe don't seem bat an eyelash to any of it. Now the action scenes are entertaining no doubt, but the grotesque violence serves no real purpose at times, it isn't used to illustrate a point about the nature of the world or anything, and they would've been more enjoyable if they had the story go along with it. There's also pacing issues, at times, it's longer than it needed to be and drags out with the only purpose is to show us more violence.

However, technically, it's brilliant; The action sequences are very brutal, and well-choreographed; the fighting sequences are gripping and over-the-top and yet remain convincing and realistic, similarly the gun shootouts are also tense and thrilling; the line up of squad of gunmen in a single line as they march to their targets, guns blazing, with breaks in between for reloads, is absolutely spectacular. The camera-work is also creative; some of the good camera angles are breathtaking and really add to the suspense, and it captures the intensity of the combats really well. The main score is amazing as well; it elevates the actions sequences and complements emotional scenes nicely, and the performances are fine all around.

Overall, Gangs of London had an okay first season with good character development and amazing cast performances, but it could use a little more cohesion to the overall story and also good pacing.

Solid show. Yes it is violent as some of the reviewers seem to be upset about. Just wondering... What were you expecting? The show's title is "Gangs of London". How do you not expect violence?

I can't deny the show is massively entertaining with some great characters and really amazing action scenes. I enjoyed it.

My big problem with the show is how ludicriously far-fetched it is after the first few episodes, it was almost veering into fantasy territory! I definitely expected something a little more grounded or at least semi-realistic, but it's not at all once you get past the first episode or two.

I also think Joe Cole was wrong for the part, I didn't ever get a real sense of volatility or menance from him at all....just didn't work for me. Cast is generally fairly good though.

There are some amazing action scenes mid-season that never sort of appear again, I was disapppointed with the downward slide towards the end in this regard. But what's in there is really, really good. Real punch to it.

If you love over the top, action packed TV shows with hyper violence, this one fits the bill pretty well, but it's not really intelligent or smart TV - more a popcorn show.

A lot of people calling it the most violent thing they have ever seen, which seems a bit OTT to me - it is most definitely violent, but no more so than the likes of Game of Thrones or Banshee, or Boardwalk Empire.

In fact I think because it's so ludicriously OTT, the violence doesn't even connect as much as it did in say, Boardwalk Empire.

The first series of Gangs of London was a tight, gripping thriller. The second series was a convoluted mess full of disjointed scenes, a messy storyline, lots of gangsters giving each other hard stares, monosyllabic dialogue, and a lot of very weird characters who contributed nothing to the plot. Even the violence is tedious.

And then there is the jarring sound track and impenetrable accents that make this as annoying to listen to as it is to watch.

It's trying to be Peaky Blinders, but has none of the period charm, intriguing storylines, interesting characters, or style of that excellent show.

Did they change writers? Or did the writers just decide to phone it in? Either way, this was a poor show with few redeeming features.

I don't know what's wrong with people here who are commenting this show has action and gore so they don't like it. Also some nit wits here say this show doesn't have a story,I mean are high while seeing this? What else do you want from a show that has good drama, great action scenes. If you want something less action oriented then go somewhere else watch a silly Kardashian show. This show is everything what a good show about Gang's should be about. Give it a go don't listen to the haters

If you have ever watched The Raid you will know what I mean, a high octane, ultra violent, thrill ride, with some Incredible fight scenes. All rammed down your throat for the main course and then a slice of "what have I just watched" for desert.

The best I could liken this show to is the secret love child of Layer Cake and John Wick, adopted by Guy Ritchie.

Some top drawer acting, a real gritty, dark, thrilling aura, and really good production values; it feels expensive. It's got the binge factor that's for sure, I was hooked from the first major action scene.

They've really raised the bar on this in terms of British action / drama.

To pre warn people - if you don't like drawn out, viciously violent fight scenes, this won't be for you, it's graphic.

Like many of the characters in the show itself literally are, I'm blown away by the sheer amount and quality of the action. I don't think I've ever seen in a TV series such amazing fight scenes choreography or extreme levels of violence. The storyline is as old as gang culture itself, the difference here is the quality of the production values and actors. Every episode is a brooding masterpiece, with top notch dialogue and character interactions. I'm 5 episodes in and completely spellbound by this awesome show. I can't wait to see where this goes and of course find out who arranged the hit on Finn Wallace.