If you are familiar with football player Vinnie Jones, Untold UK: Vinnie Jones is what you should be watching to know a bit more about him. Before his Hollywood calling, Vinnie Jones was a big name in Wimbledon FC and a member of the hugely infamous gang that caused chaos and ruckus. Initially, the documentary goes heavily into this side of Jones, going into great depth to make us understand why he was one of the hardest players in the game. The 1992 leaked video controversy that went on to expose Wimbledon’s tactics is also talked about. Post this, the documentary shifts towards his second career,” Hollywood. Roles such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch established his image as the man he is seen as on the field: tough and intimidating. And in between all this, Vinnie Jones himself appears as the narrator of the plot to tell us mostly about his career and some aspects of his personal life.
There are many areas where the documentary could have done well. For example, while discussing his football career, hardly any emphasis is given on the important parts, like his role in Wimbledon FC and other areas. It has made a touch-and-go affair. Most of the time, those areas of his football career are left untouched when, in fact, they are crucial to his career. However, in between all this, Vinnie Jones comes across as an entertaining narrator. He knows what people and the world at large think of him. And in no way does he use this documentary to correct his image. Rather, it is just an acknowledgement. His narration is what keeps Untold UK: Vinnie Jones largely engaging to watch all in all. There is a good amount of humor in his voice, which surprisingly makes the documentary a funny watch.
But even with Vinnie Jones doing his best, the documentary feels pointless. There are some difficult, controversial questions that shaped his career; much of it, he refuses to answer. Most of the previous documentaries of the “Untold” series actually did put effort into showing what they did. That is greatly missing in Untold UK: Vinnie Jones. Had they addressed those questions, too, the documentary would have become a comprehensive one. Yes, I do understand that the makers are not trying to reinvent Vinnie Jones; however, they are not showing the complete picture either. This makes Untold UK: Vinnie Jones half-hearted. They don’t get into the details and dissection of the whole life, yet maybe from the previous parts, that is what we thought was expected.
The pacing is a bit problematic, too. It moves slowly in some places and moves faster in other places. That uneven pacing can disrupt the entire viewing process if you wish to watch it in one go. For fans wanting to understand the life and beyond of one of their favorite football players, the documentary falls hugely short. I was hoping for more, but clearly that is not something we get here.
Final Score- [4/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times