4.3.2.1.

Noel Clarke (Dr Who and Centurion star, writer-director of Adulthood, award winner) is clearly a very promising talent. 4.3.2.1. is a change of direction and a more challenging project than the grittily urban Adulthood. He moves into more fun territory, toying with the heist movie genre and an interestingly ambitious (if not totally original structure).

The film follows four female friends over 3 days and 2 cities. It starts at the end, before going back to the start and taking each of its central characters through the 3 days to show how they got to that end point, before rewinding and following another one. Thus the story builds up bit by bit and we learn more of what's really going on. Has Clarke bitten off more than he can chew? The answer would have to be a qualified no. On the whole he handles the direction and the script with skill, although there is a tendancy (common among new directors) to be a bit too showy at times. It also feels a bit long, with maybe too much padding in one or two of the sections. Some of the big name cameos (Michelle Ryan, Kevin Smith, Eve) feel a bit like stunt casting. In Eve's case it really backfires as a bit which should be humorously punchy, feels just clunky, but we'll forgive Kevin Smith's presence as he's hilarious.

The main cast are pretty good. Shanika Warren-Markland's Kerrys carries the main emotional weight of the film. Ophelia Lovibond and Tamsin Eggerton are good (the latter surprisingly so for those who have seen her in the St Trinians films). If anything the weak point is Emma (niece of Julia) Roberts, who seems to be too obviously acting and making speeches at times. There is one moment where you'll really be wondering why the bad guys don't just shoot her.

Clarke also pretty well achieves his stated aim of combining something for the boys - attractive scantily clad girls and decent action - with a female empowerment message. Then, as in Adulthood, he kind of fluffs the ending with an unconvincing, wishy-washy sentiment followed by a blatant sequel set-up.

Overall - 7/10. Entertaining and Ambitious. On the whole well-executed and confirming Clarke as a talent to watch, if not quite the finished article yet.