User reviews

I watched this based on the amount of "Rave Reviews" on IMDB who claimed it to be a 'masterpiece with hidden depths' !

It turned out to be nothing of the sort !

The first 15 minutes show the beginnings of a promising plot with interesting characters and an unusual setting but after that it runs out of steam ! The main scene is an empty house and the secondary scene is an empty shipping container, they spent absolutely nothing on filming locations !

It's reasonably coherent and the level of acting isn't awful but the trouble is these very same actors appear on British TV in small roles quite often but they are never very convincing. They usually just play supporting roles because they don't have much talent so it's unusual to see them in leading roles.

The plot is a fairly simple blackmail/revenge type deal and there are a couple of twists and turns along the way but after about 40 minutes I just couldn't wait for it to reach it's conclusion so we could get to the point !

If you are very bored and have nothing else to do it fills a bit of time but it's barely worth reviewing, I'm only doing this to add a realistic viewpoint !

A great film, with a great balance of intrigue and action. Well worth a watch. A heart-pounding thrill ride that grabs you from the first frame and never lets go. The action sequences are masterfully choreographed, blending stunning visuals with intense, edge-of-your-seat moments that keep you hooked. The pacing is relentless, with each scene building on the last, driving the tension to a fever pitch. The cast delivers strong performances, with the lead's charisma and physicality shining through. Combined with a gripping storyline and a pulse-pounding score, this film is a must-watch for any action movie fan. It's pure adrenaline on screen!

I came across this film on Amazon and so glad I did! This British film is brilliant. You will never guess the end, such a good twist. I looked up the Director and he is a well known British actor. What a talent. What a film. Can not recommend enough.

The acting from the 3 leads is incredible. You love them, you hate them, then you love them again. Very clever writing. I like the editing a lot as it never slumps and keeps you on your toes.

Nick Moran from Lock stock was my favourite, but all the cast did a fantastic job. Great mix of drama and British sarcasm. Indie film makers could learn a lot from this film. Ticks all the boxes.

Loved every minute.

Every so often, someone comes onto IMDb and declares that such-and-such a film is, and I quote, "THE WORST MOVIE EVER!!!"

Usually the culprit is the latest big-budget, little-story extravaganza, or some popular work receiving its expected share of backlash. I always laugh a bit when people do this. Clearly, these innocent souls have never seen an episode of "Mystery Science Theater 3000."

Ok... so...

There is not a single shred of competence to be found anywhere in this turd. It fails on every conceivable level: direction, acting, script, cinematography, sets, costumes, effects, sound, music.

Throw in some of the most irritating and idiotic characters you'll ever see, a lot of disturbing sexual subtext, and the result is this pile of cinematic excrement.

I admit right up front I'm an Andrew Lee Potts fan. He won me over with his performance in the TV show 'Primeval' (and THAT hat!) and since then I do try to keep up with his projects. Just yesterday I watched "Firecracker."

When I see a movie, I want to be entertained; I don't want to be constantly taken out of the moment by inconsistencies in writing or acting or things that don't make a lot of sense in the circumstances of the characters. And I give some freedom before passing judgment on a lot of things, because sometimes we're meant to be confused for a time until parts of a plot come together in other ways. And, frankly, sometimes the character is actually meant to be a little stupid in some way, so doing something that doesn't make sense is, well, purposeful (think 'yell at the screen' frustration about a choice a character makes).

Without giving away spoilers directly, I will say I had some emotional ups and downs as the movie progressed, and at one (dramatic) point wasn't particularly pleased. I even yelled at the screen once or twice. But by the end I was OK again and had enjoyed the ride. Some dramatic license was taken a couple times, especially with technologies, but that seems common nowadays, and at least wasn't particularly stupid, just over-a-line of possibility. But we were introduced to the characters, and shown various believable motivations for their behavior. The story unfolded and we learned more about them and what they were doing. We even got a chance to have compassion for some of them caught in the circumstance as they were. If I had any complaint, it might be the speed at which we ran through twists and turns towards the end... I think some folks might find it hard to follow without some pause/rewind/replay.

But I had fun watching it; it accomplished what it set out to do very well. And I enjoyed the cast of characters, both as actors and as the characters they played. Pacing was pretty consistent, too. I think I could even watch it again relatively soon and not be bored with it.

Lots of action, some laughs and a couple of curve balls in the plot line. The acting was done well, the story was unusual and very creative. I would recommend this movie, good for an evening of good solid entertainment. This movie was nominated for several awards, worth the watch for sure. There are some scenes that have violence, but they aren't gory or over the top if you're squeamish about copious amounts of blood and guts. Firecracker has a nice mix of drama, suspense, unexpected twists. The suspense builds subtly and consistently throughout the movie, we were entertained start to finish. Highly recommended.

Really enjoyed this film.... Andrew lee potts hit the jackpot for his directing debut with his stellar cast. All involved created something really special with Firecracker.

One minute you're in suspense, the next you're completely gripped and then one second later you're laughing at the dry humour written in to the script.

Set on bonfire night the film is really aesthetically pleasing and cinematography is outstanding representing the time of year.

Jason Flemyng amd Andrew lee Potts were standout actors for me with Nick Moran offering and outstanding performance too.

A must see of you enjoyed British filmmaking at its finest.

This is not normally my cup of tea, however I had to watch this twice there was so much going on the twists the turns fabulously put together and a must see watch.

My daughter who wants to go into film after her studying, was telling me the techniques used during filming (she can be very annoying especially when your trying to watch something) and I was impressed with the detail that went into filming this.

The character development is complex and keeps you pulled into the movie.

Kate Sheridan plays her Character so well, i can't wait to see her Next Movie.

Andrew Potts, has done very well and I am looking forward to the next one.

Brilliant debut by Andrew Lee Potts; he has come a long way. The first time I saw him was in Primeval and I was hooked ever since. This is another class act to add to his list of achievements. Loads of twists and a fantastic plot, direction is A class. I am glad I watched this film.

Cinematography is very good and makes you feel immersed in the film all the way through. All cast are suited well to their parts and are believable characters.

Easy on the eye and interesting enough to keep your attention throughout the whole film, I sincerely hope this is not the last film from him and look forward to watching many more.

This movie is a great example of good writing, a cast with chemistry and good directing.

The film is dark and gritty and has some great dark humor.

The script is very well written and the cast does an amazing job of pulling you into the story and keeping you excited about what's going on.

The twist and nuisances make this movie great for rewatching and analyzing.

You never know what to expect from an Indie movie, especially when you have an actor turned director making their debut, but this film does not disappoint. I look forward to what Lee Potts brings us next!

Highly recommend this watch!

OK so it's no Hollywood blockbuster but that's what excellent about it. Gritty and charismatic. Andrew is brilliant and leaves you guessing. Have been a fan since Primeval days which I'm also binge watching on sky right now. The plot is hard and rough and the scenery awesome and the rapport between Jack and Lena is quite dark and sometimes humorous and for Andrews first directing project its throughly engrossing, but then I love indy films esp japanese and french indy film noir. Thoroughly enjoyed, left me on the edge of my seat to the very end, totally recommend. Awesome film thank you all xxx.

Firecracker is an edge of the seat indie joyride of a film! Showcasing the mass talent of Andrew Lee-Potts both behind and in front of the camera! You could be mistaken that this is an independent film with great stunts and a Stella British cast! If you're a primeval fan you will enjoy a certain reunion! This film showcases British talent at its best! If you haven't seen it stop what you're doing and watch it now! A great thriller to watch with a big bowl of popcorn. Sit back and get ready to be transported in to a suspense filled drama full of twists and turns! It's a pleasure to watch!10/10.

Loved it, great indie film, It was gripping, fast-paced, included excellent character work and great performances.

This is a real accomplishment for those who made it, really good cast, Loved all the actors, perfect choices great production values and full of twists and turns. Would really recommend it!

It's a rollercoaster of emotions - i found myself on the edge of my seat, found it really funny, first you want the bad guys to get caught then you want them to win; really well written, directed and acted I loved it from start to finish.

Looking forward to watching more from all involved, perfect.

My gosh the TENSION?! I was on the edge of my seat in anticipation of what was going to happen next!! As someone who appreciates the details of things whether big or small, I really must compliment the use of lighting and music throughout the film. They really set the mood and moved the story along nicely. Director Andrew-Lee Potts is not only a great actor, but a very talented director as well. Awesome job! From start to finish I was invested. I also hadn't seen anything else that featured bonfire night other than "V for Vendetta", another favorite film of mine, so that was pretty neat. Can't wait to see what Andrew does next!

Wow! What a fantastic film! I was gripped straight away! I have absolutely no idea why people have said anything bad about it. The plot, the script, the actors, the cinematography... everything was STUNNING. If this was in movie theatres, I would be telling everybody to go see it. If you haven't yet watched this one, please make sure you do. I just wanna say a massive shout out to Andrew Lee Potts, another amazing performance from many things I've seen him in. One of the most underrated actors of our time and he gets better in anything I've ever watched him in! Never fails to amaze me. Amazing film.

I loved every bit of this movie honestly. My only regret had been that I didn't watch it when it came out. Great cast with a plot twist of an ending ! Andrew does a great job of keeping you interested and waiting for the next reveal.

I don't know what the troll comments problem is but clearly it doesn't match what everyone else is saying. I enjoyed every minute of this film and you'd have no idea that this wasn't done by a high end company.

Absolutely give this movie a shot. I loved it!

Andrew, I can't wait to see more of your work!! Everything put out by you has been great and you deserve more recognition.

Who doesn't like a gritty British crime drama?

Intense drama from Andrew Lee Potts debut Firecracker. Powerful performances and a scene stealing end performance from Katie Sheridan.

Stella cast including Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels Nick Moran and Jason Flemyng.

I could also see this working as a theatre piece with its tense dialogue and close up performances, all taking place within the vicinity of an empty house. Similar to The first 'Saw' movie but with less blood!

Great writing, cinematography and soundtrack and I look forward to seeing what Andrew Lee Potts imagination creates next!

"Firecracker" starts with a bang (literally) and maintains the suspense throughout. The bulk of the movie focuses on our two villains and their hostage ensconced in an otherwise empty house on Bonfire night. That's the same as Guy Fawkes night, similar to the US 4th of July in that everyone is expected to light off fireworks and make a lot of noise. Bits of backstory are blended in through some nicely done flashbacks, a few telephone conversations, and occasional visitors to the house. While there is certainly plenty of violence, cruelty, and death, it is not excessively gory. There's a steady tension throughout, and several really surprising twists in both plot and character exposition.

A fantastic debut from Andrew directing. Can't get over the contrast between his acting from watching him as geeky heroic Connor in Primeval to hard hitting oddly nice guy Jack in this film.

Character development throughout is incredibly done. Chemistry between the cast is awesome as well.

Writing is great, it's well paced not to fast not to slow, the twists and turns had my jaw hitting the floor more than once.

Honestly you would never be able to tell this was small budget film as its shot so well, the music throughout makes it even intense which for me makes a movie.

Phenomenal for a first movie.

Cannot wait to see more of Andrew's work in the future.

I'm so used to seeing rubbish from Indy british films that I thought this wasn't possible - a genuinely original, well made, clever, scary and funny genre film.

Brilliantly acted and stylishly shot it's a film that carves a path of it's own through indy cinema. Potts plays a likeable psychopath who, along with the magnetically insane Lena, takes Mathilda, hostage, played in virtuoso style by the brilliant Katie Sheridan. Coming to full maturity as a great actress, Sheridan nails the subtleties and subterfuge that the script demands, ensuring every twist and turn is indeed a surprise. She's matched by Potts, who spews wry comments and acidic lines with pro comic timing and bad-boy-band good looks. It's a film that proves brilliant actors are still working on the indie scene, and a stellar ensemble cast shines out the screen. Top marks go to Nicole Pattinson as a snarky cop and Nick Moran as a scary villain. Totally recommended!

Firecracker is the first feature-length film directed by Andrew Lee Potts, and it is a fantastic debut.

The story takes place on Bonfire Night, and follows Jack (Potts) and Lena (Eloise Lovell Anderson) in a brazen heist. Under the pretense of looking to buy a house, the couple meets with real estate agent, Mathilda (Katie Sheridan), who becomes their unwitting hostage. Through the course of the night, the characters are on a roller coaster of events with many twists and turns, and the audience is along for the ride.

The tension, present from the opening scene, continues to ramp up as the story progresses, leaving the viewer in breathless anticipation of what will happen next. The gripping score takes that suspense up even further.

Potts has a unique storytelling style, and it really shines throughout the movie. The screenplay is well-written and engaging. The cast has excellent chemistry, and the appearances of Jason Flemyng, Alexander Vlahos, and Nick Moran add a certain appeal that makes the viewer take notice.

10/10 - Highly recommend.

"Fire Cracker" directed by Andrew Lee Potts is a riveting thrill ride that explodes onto the screen with intensity and heart-pounding suspense. From the very first frame, audiences are drawn into the story The ensemble cast delivers great performances, with each actor bringing depth and nuance to their roles, with its gripping storyline that has a number of brilliantly timed twists n turns, and stellar performances, "Fire Cracker" is definitely a must watch and a fantastic first debut feature film for director Andrew Lee Potts, looking forward to seeing what he has next for us in the future!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I had the pleasure of reviewing Andrew Lee Potts' thriller Firecracker. All I can say is wow. Potts certainly outdoes your expectations in his directorial outing. It's said first impressions are the most important. Andrew Lee has proven himself onscreen in various projects that showcase his acting chops such as The Witcher, Syfy's miniseries Alice, and Primeval. He delivers again with Firecracker; his directorial debut. All of the right choices are made here; from the stylistic cinematography, to scoring and editing. Also fans of his work are in for a treat, with Andrew Lee Potts in front of-and behind-the camera!

The story concerns a trio of misfits-including Jack (portrayed by an electrifying Andrew Lee Potts) following a heist gone sideways against the thrilling backdrop of Bonfire Night. Potts more than holds his own pulling double duty as actor and director, and proves himself worthy of the task. I hope to see more projects helmed by Andrew, and others like him with a keen eye on the pulse of filmmaking.

Definitely check this out!

A tense and gripping crime thriller. Predominantly set within the one house, director Andrew Lee Potts utilises as much of the location as possible and creates a palpable nervous energy in scenes where the villains might get caught, with some shots straight from the Hitchcock playbook (and that's a good thing!).

It's has twitsts that you probably will not see coming and keeps you riveted throughout.

All the cast excell, particularly the lead trio (Potts even manages to make us like a really nasty character!) and it's shot excellently. While only in the film relatively briefly, Jason Flemying and Nick Moran are as superb as always.

Highly recommended.