It was time for another Cineworld Unlimited screening the other night and this time it was the turn of the debut feature film from Reggie Yates, PIRATES, in cinemas on Friday 26 November.
Set in London at the turn of the millennium, PIRATES will take audiences on a hilarious journey back to New Year’s Eve 1999, reviving memories from the 90’s garage scene and Moschino fashion for pure nostalgic cinematic joy.
Written and directed by Reggie Yates, PIRATES follows three best mates, Elliot Edusah (1917, Small Axe), Jordan Peters (Blue Story, Gangs of London) and Reda Elazouar (Outside the Wire), trying to break into the music scene through Pirate radio. The film follows the boys as they drive through London in their tiny Peugeot pumping a live garage set from the stereo and arguing about their Avirex jackets and Naf Naf imports. As the eighteen-year-olds step into adulthood, they know their lives and friendships are on the brink of change. Determined to see out the century with a bang they drive from place to place in a desperate search for tickets for the best millennium party EVER.
Pirates has that nostalgia vibe
Now I have to say that this is a movie that I probably wouldn’t have given much thought to, but after seeing the trailer so many times before the movies at Cineworld it piqued my curiosity and seeing that it was a Cineworld Unlimited Screening I thought I would give it a go.
As soon as the film started my foot was tapping to one of my favourite tracks from all those years ago, the brilliant bass-thumping Dooms Night by Azzido Da Bass, so from that point on I was hoping that this was a good sign to the rest of the movie and thankfully it was.
The soundtrack for Pirates features music from British Garage legends including So Solid Crew, Wookie, DJ Zinc, Sunship, Scott Garcia, Hardrive, Scott Garcia, Ms Dynamite, Peven Everett, Sia and DJ Luck & MC Neat.
But I digress, let’s get back to the film itself, although the story may not be anything original it works with the nostalgia trip that those of us that headed out on New Year’s Even in 1999 for the millennium will have some fond memories of and hitting those clubs to celebrate.
But everything doesn’t go to plan for mates, Cappo (Elliot Edusah), Two Tonne (Jordan Peters) and Kidda (Reda Elazouar), as they all attempt to hit the Twice As Nice club to see in the New Year.
There are some moments where are found myself laughing out loud during the movie, the production of Pirates is very much on the Indie looking side and this works well, as I mentioned earlier the soundtrack is brilliant and I think for me this made up for most of the other stuff in the film.
The cast works well together and it is a film that is worth checking out, especially if you have an Unlimited Card.
PIRATES is produced by BAFTA award winners Polly Leys and Kate Norrish of Hillbilly Films, was developed with BBC Film and is financed by BBC Film and the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, in association with Magellanic Media Limited. Reggie Yates’ production company FIVE7 are associate producers.
Home release news as PIRATES will be released on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital on Monday 16th May courtesy of Picturehouse Entertainment, special features for the release are Behind The Scenes Featurette / Theatrical Trailer.
Pirates has that touch of nostalgia
Movie title: Pirates (2021)
Movie description: PIRATES 'The worlds shortest road movie', follows three eighteen-year-old friends on their journey from North to South London on New Year's Eve 1999.
Date published: November 25, 2021
Country: UK
Duration: 1h 20min
Director(s): Reggie Yates
Actor(s): Elliot Edusah, Jordan Peters, Reda Elazouar
Genre: Comedy
Summary
Overall Pirates is nicely put together British “road movie” and one that certainly brings in the nostalgia of the Millenium.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
