ianlouisiana Review of Ultimate Force

Ultimate Force (2002–2006)

Undoubtedly aimed at small boys and gym bunnies,but...

[8/10 · 26 March 2015]

only the most the most po - faced could fail to enjoy this hymn to gun - toting psychopaths masquerading as a tribute if not a recruiting sergeant(if one were needed)to the British Special Forces. These indeed are men doing what a man has got to do,although the more faint - hearted amongst us might tremulously question the need to inflict so much collateral damage. As one who was sitting with a coachload of Old Bill outside the Iranian Embassy when the SAS did their thing 35 years ago I have the utmost respect for Regiment members in real life,aided by working with one ex - SAS corporal at an East London police station,a man who went out of his way to avoid confrontation,but,if it was thrust upon him,was not a believer in fannying about. He was as far removed from the "Ultimate Force" ethos as is possible. Frankly,the series is nonsense from Mr R.Kemp's petulant sergeant to the humblest trooper playing with his H&K. And yet.....there is something about these last defenders of a long dead Empire,ruthless,bloody - minded and ridiculously macho that I find entertaining in all its silliness. Yes there re moments of extreme violence,but only of the "Tom and Jerry" kind that we all know and love. Like a more - disciplined(relatively speaking) James Bond,Mr Kemp dispenses sudden death with a ready quip,using hands,knives,guns and for all I know a tube of "Smarties". However,he lacks Bond's success with the ladies,several of whom fall for the sociopathic side of his character only to be disappointed to find that what they see is what they get.A sociopath. There is even more silliness when the Force inexplicably gains a woman trooper who,of course is better than almost everybody else(except Mr R.Kemp) at fighting and killing and quite possibly can knit them some vests for the winter. I watched a re - run last night of an episode set in Africa where the troop despite being outnumbered by fifty to one rescue the boss's cousin's family on an unofficial mission. Not a thought was given to how any casualties they might sustain would thus be explained away,and of course there weren't any. This particular story had the huge benefit of featuring Mr J.Rawle who immediately gave it a depth and a touch of humanity rarely attained by the series in general. It was noisy,violent,simplistic and very violent and I loved it. It's what "Ultimate Force" is all about.