Blu-ray

Credit card fraud is the curse of modern living and it’s amazing how easily thieves get away with stealing thousands of pounds of our hard earned cash. Well, according to director Julian Gilbey’s new gangster thriller Plastic such crimes are frighteningly simple. Based on a true story, Plastic relates the illegal practices of a group of students who successfully steal credit cards and pin numbers, and use the stolen money to sell high value goods.

Led by the charismatic Sam (Ed Speleers); Yatesy (Alfie Allen), Fordy (Will Poulter) and Rafa (Sebastian De Souza) embark on a ’get rich quick’ scheme that tragically backfires when they inadvertently rip off a sadistic crime boss called Marcel (Thomas Kretschmann) and his vicious henchman Tariq (Mem Ferda). Wanting revenge Marcel gives the boys just two weeks to raise two million pounds or suffer the consequences. 

Sam calls on the assistance of a credit card company insider, the gorgeous Frankie (Emma Rigby) who needs money to pay for her terminally ill father’s medical care, and together they travel to Miami in order to steal money from credit cards belonging to a group of high flyers. But when the scam backfires they devise an elaborate scheme involving impersonating a billionaire Prince, hiring a private jet and stealing a case of diamonds worth £20 million.

The main characters are likeable rogues and there’s a great deal of comedy in their relationship that works extremely well in contrast to the film’s occasional bouts of mindless violence. The story really picks up pace in Miami and there’s a token amount of nudity and sex to entertain the movies intended 15 year old audience. The final heist in Florida is a little too far-fetched to be believable, but there’s no let up in tension and the script is as sharp as in the earlier scenes.

Plastic is no Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, but still a worthy addition to the British crime drama genre, thanks to its director Gilbey’s proven track record with previous movies like Rise of the Foot Soldier.

Picture: Excellent image quality throughout the 2.40:1 1080p encode, with the Miami scenes (Chapters 5 and 6) capturing the atmosphere with their sun-soaked beaches and scantily clad holidaymakers. Night scenes are also sharp and beautifully lit, particularly the colourful lighting reflected in the rain-soaked London Streets in chapter 9. 
Picture rating 4/5

Audio: The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack rocks, showcasing surround effects that will have you ducking for cover - particularly when the bullets start flying during the film's noisy climax (Chapter 10) as a hotel room is demolished by machine gun fire. Elsewhere, dialogue and ambient effects are handled with effortless grace, combining to create a coherent and convincing soundscape.
Audio rating 4/5

Extras: Aside from the theatrical trailer, the disc includes an extensive Making of... featurette (35 minutes) that proves rather more interesting than the typical EPK-fodder as it goes behind the scenes of the movie on both sides of the Atlantic and incorporates some interesting tidbits from key members of the cast and crew.
Extras rating 2/5

We say: British crime drama with a likeable young cast that provides, thrills, comedy and a smattering of violence to please all tastes.

Plastic, Paramount, All-region BD, £25 Approx
HCC VERDICT: 3.5/5