Even though it wasn't very believable, Season 1 of Gangs of London was just so good. The quality in season 2 is just not quite as good so far. It's about a war between powerful gangs in London that all go into chaos when the head of the most powerful gang is assassinated. This show just takes you into their world and doesn't let go. The writing and acting is what makes this show so special. Also, the action is just terrific. It's choreographed as good as anything you'll see on a tv show. If you're a fan of action then this is the show for you because it's brutal, gritty and nonstop. I couldn't get enough. I binged both seasons as fast as I could.
683 Reviews
Season 2 takes a massive dive in quality.
nqsferatuslair23 October 2022
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.
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.
Awesome!
Supermanfan-1330 September 2020
Gangs of London is just a flat out awesome show! 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 highly recommend this to anyone who like a good action drama!
Bloody and Violent
jonnybrutal-350-2552625 August 2020
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!!
The Most Brutal Violent TV Show Of All Time 9/10
wmcq-2594725 April 2020
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.
It is solid.
stewdmx30 April 2020
If you like Garth Evan's , you'll love this.. plus more
arrmeen8 August 2020
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
Gangs of London is not for the weak.
monicareisazevedo13 January 2021
Utter Carnage!!
Dan_Finn23 April 2020
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.
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.
Gangs of London
Abdulxoxo15 December 2020
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.
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.
Powerhouse Of A First Episode
dazzabazza23 April 2020
Written by acclaimed action director Gareth Evans who gave us the likes of The Raid and The Raid 2 which means you know there are going to be some seriously good fight scenes and he does not disappoint.
Brilliantly cast, filmed, directed and acted.....the first episode on Sky Atlantic is nearly 2 hours long and is like watching a movie !
All 9 episodes are available to binge watch and if the rest are anything like the first time to get the nibbles and beers in pronto !
Thank you Mr Evans for this brilliant piece of entertainment.
Brilliantly cast, filmed, directed and acted.....the first episode on Sky Atlantic is nearly 2 hours long and is like watching a movie !
All 9 episodes are available to binge watch and if the rest are anything like the first time to get the nibbles and beers in pronto !
Thank you Mr Evans for this brilliant piece of entertainment.
Massively entertaining but has problems
terrorfirmer-ie1 May 2020
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.
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.
Good first series, weak second series
expatrickdale31 October 2022
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.
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.
Season 2 Quality Drops Like A Rock
sumtim3s00n23 October 2022
I do not know whether they replaced the writers but season 2 is basically unwatchable. The story meanders left and right and is unnecessarily convoluted. Not to mention boring and all the characters completely unlikeable. The whole season doesnt really move anywhere or are there any interesting developments, nothing but a repeated betrayal left and right, all covered with lots and lots of bloodshed. And of course Elliot, who it seems came over from MCU where he got a proper big dose of super soldier serum because he has no problem going against small armies by himself repeatedly with ease.
Boring&silly, unlikeable characters, shallow season.
Boring&silly, unlikeable characters, shallow season.
The best gangs series to date
rhomulas3 September 2020
Where do I start, absolutely stunning and brutal, the real depiction of how bloody and violent gangs truly are, anybody crying about it is clearly stuck in the utopia that the world is a great place, it's not.
Lovers of peaky blinders and boardwalk empire must watch this.
Lovers of peaky blinders and boardwalk empire must watch this.
Guns, blood & plenty of violence 😳😳😳
dicky6923 April 2020
Amazing!!!
carolineackroyd14 May 2021
Amazing!!!
jon_lamacraft23 April 2020
Managed to binge watch this series in one day, and can honestly say it is amazing. It draws you in straight from the beginning, and leaves you wanting more. It has great acting, action, and a good bit of gore. If you love all that, you will love this.
Season 1 is fantastic. Season 2 falls off a cliff.
gabepollard-544692 October 2023
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.
Slick and violent
craig-70-34768431 October 2022
Consistent violence masks an inconsistent plot filled with holes and flawed logic. Despite being in the guise of a tough gritty gangster drama, in reality it's a soppy dull melodrama almost saved by the distraction of gruesome action sequences. The cadence of silliness interspersed with violence is not quite rapid enough to help you forget the flimsy premise this show is built around.
I found myself either listlessly rolling my eyes or squeamishly turning away without enough in between to start caring about the characters or suspend disbelief long enough to engage with the weak storyline.
If you are looking for something visual, violent and void of virtue, it's a time killer.
I found myself either listlessly rolling my eyes or squeamishly turning away without enough in between to start caring about the characters or suspend disbelief long enough to engage with the weak storyline.
If you are looking for something visual, violent and void of virtue, it's a time killer.
Terrifying and thrilling
gillmurphydogg30 January 2023
This is a series that has no dull moments. Not everyone will enjoy the hyper-graphic violence or clichéd writing but the story is strong enough to compel any fan of the crime genre.
It's a show with a multi-ethnic cast that celebrates the diversity in our society. It shows that not all gangs follow the same racial stereotypes we've been exposed to in TV. Though simultaneously, I do wish they explored the unique backgrounds of the head honchos and how they arrived into a life of crime.
The protagonist caught in the middle of the gang wars is very compelling to watch- between his kind troubled eyes and martial arts skills, you won't be left disappointed.
It's a show with a multi-ethnic cast that celebrates the diversity in our society. It shows that not all gangs follow the same racial stereotypes we've been exposed to in TV. Though simultaneously, I do wish they explored the unique backgrounds of the head honchos and how they arrived into a life of crime.
The protagonist caught in the middle of the gang wars is very compelling to watch- between his kind troubled eyes and martial arts skills, you won't be left disappointed.
What happened to season 2? Season was magnificent
mwsmbngsimon26 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Gangs of london season 1 is one those tv shows which are so good but doesnt have enough popularity and recognition. It was neatly written, characters were likeable, their development was convincing and the direction of the plot was purely justifiable. The action scenes were intellegently merged in the storyline
Season 2 felt suddenly very bad! I watched the first episode and i was completely disappointed. It felt like they changed the writers and directors. Its only the nolstagia of season 1 that kept me watching it expecting it to get better but it didnt. I am going to review it in the following aspects; plot, cinematography, acting and the action scenes, characters, dialogue. The plot was okay but the way it unfolds was poorly written, so basically its about gang power dynamics n balance shift after the fall of the wallace family. The scenes seemed rushed, and alot of stories just mashed together to give a watcher a certain idea of what was goingon. The direction the plot took at some points was unjustifiable and it suffered from alot of plotholes. Eg. Assif brought koba to secure desclipline amongst the gangs but it seemed like koba had more power than Assif without any levarage, there was no point in ressuructing Sean Wallace who suffered a headshot in the first season, so many unjustifiable betrayals literally everybody is betraying everyone, whoever released Sean from prison didnt seem existent and couldnt elicit any form of control over him, its only justified if Sean was actually motivated to kill Elliot who tried to kill him in the first season. In season finale, Elliot fights and beats Sean and gets a seat on the table, what was he worthy to other gang members, he didn't have connections, infrastructures or any leverage The cinematrography maybe is the only good thing about season 2, the colour tone and the camera angles were okay. The acting was okay too as in nothing seemed cringy and forced but there was alittle bit too much unjustified blood shed and gore! I get we liked the same action scenes in the first season but back then they weren't overdone, and were intelligently mixed that a person actually missed them. The characters were easily forgettable and unlikable, there was little or poor character develpment and only few characters had justifiable motivation. Eg. Seam Wallace at first he appeared as person who was on the revenge mission for who plotted to kill him, then he was about power, then about family trying to save his brother within a very thin chemistry between the characters. The characters appeared out of nowhere for the convinience of the story eg the madam drug dealer Sean/ Koba went to see in Paris. The wasn't enough reason to push Alex Dumani to commit suicide, he just didn't look that cornered. His father Ed Dumani, his character seemed principled and powerful in the first season but it is so badly written is season 2 that it doesn't have any edges, he seems floating everywhere, his actual power and inclusiveness in the gangs seems non existent. Finally the dialogue, well the only thing you can say about it is that it was non existent and uninteresting.
So disappointingly custard instead of cream...
grayknight-4308115 December 2022
Season one was exciting but had many flaws. It's cast except Dope Dirisu wasn't plausible and at times cringe worthy. Sean's brother was so out of place that it was hard to watch. Sean himself is hardly a gangster character and comes across as a weak school bully that real bullies laugh at. Sean's Mother.. really? The story has a quite real feeling in some places and in others extreme fantasy that cancels out the initial reality feel. I mostly enjoyed season one with it's originality that surpassed it's flaws. I was looking forward to season 2 with semi established characters being molded into hard hitting recognised characters that had grown and developed into their roles, but no, quite the opposite. Even less plausible with even less plausible characters added to an even less plausible story. This was something I wanted to like and appeals to my favorite genre but felt so let down.
Season 1 vs Season 2
gdkfgwbmq20 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Season 1 maybe one of the best pieces of cinema done in TV show history. Season 2 is, boring/cliche. In fact the only part of season 2 I find remotely interesting is that Sean returned. The rest feels like a Series of Unfortunate Events but British. After Sean returns I was pushing for him to takeover. For all the "I'm going to burn this city to the ground" to take off. In all honesty, I was hoping for a Ragnar style of take over. Instead, he's just violating his family code, and making friends with the enemy.
If this was American politics, I would understand little more. However it's a show, that has lot of plot twists, but remains quite boring because of the never changing narrative that the Wallace's die.
From spectacular knife scenes to turbulent plot twists season 1 had it all and because of that, season 2 had nothing.
If this was American politics, I would understand little more. However it's a show, that has lot of plot twists, but remains quite boring because of the never changing narrative that the Wallace's die.
From spectacular knife scenes to turbulent plot twists season 1 had it all and because of that, season 2 had nothing.
Well Done Organized Crime Series!
rodrigofilms24710 February 2021
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