Line Of Duty (2019)

Why do they have to mess everything up with those special effects... the rooftop scene, the fire, the burly helicopter fight... instantly drew this down from a four to a three for me. Maybe lower. I was starting to actually like Ava. Felt like they'd bonded. And then they do that.

I also feel like the whole 'live' thing doesn't actually contribute.

Showing random people's reactions to the story as it unfolds takes away from my reactions, and from the scenes I could be seeing instead, and further removes from the sense of isolation and desperation the two main characters face together, as they overcome hurdles in a race against time, to find little girl Claudia, who's drowning in a watery grave six feet under.

They had a convincing atmosphere. They had a good villain. They had authentic fights and chases - including one run with impressive stamina when it all starts out - and yet they feel like they have to throw in these superficial elements and effects to make it all go further. Is it a message? Something about the media? Something about the police?

I don't feel like it does well being either, and in the end only succeeds in distracting you from what could've been a gripping and desperate drama/thriller/action flick. It's like the Let's Play culture is seeping into film, and I'm no fan. No fan of the abundant shaky cam either.

I liked the premise. I gave it a chance. They went full circle in a good way towards the end, and maybe a part of that was that there was no longer any camera obstructing the view, but they could've done so much better without those distractions.

 rated 3/5: not bad