DVD Corner

London Calling DVD Review

Josh Duhamel makes the disposable “London Calling” watchable.  

No, this is not a biopic of The Clash (although the titular song is played). Instead, “London Calling” is a crime comedy that sees star Josh Duhamel re-team with director/co-writer Allan Ungar. The story (penned by Ungar, Quinn Wolfe, and Levin Menekse) revolves around a hitman (Tommy) who screws up and kills the wrong guy due to bad vision. A London crime boss (Freddy) puts a hit out on Tommy which forces him to flee to L.A. Cut to a year later and the aging Tommy is working for another crime boss (Benson). Tommy is unhappy in L.A. and misses his son who is living with his ex-wife. Benson (who is a grade A jackass) hires Tommy to do a new job only this time he wants Tommy to bring his son Julian around. You see, Julian is a geeky LARPer much to his father’s dismay. Benson wants Julian to man up so that he can take over the business one day. He thinks going with Tommy to take out a former hitman will do the trick. Unfortunately, everything becomes complicated. Not only does the former hitman seem indestructible, but Freddy has found out where Tommy is and is trying to strike a deal with Benson to nab Tommy.

“London Calling” is the type of crime comedy that feels like a Guy Ritchie wannabe through and through. The script is sorely lacking in clever comedy and is filled with tired stereotypes about everything from geeks to hitmen. There’s also an ongoing subplot about Tommy’s eyesight that is profoundly stupid. The man-up buddy comedy story element about Tommy essentially becoming a father figure to Julian is equally odd and feels detached from reality. 

On the plus side, Josh Duhamel seems to be enjoying himself here and is indeed the best part of the entire film as Tommy. Jeremy Ray Taylor (best known for “It”) does a solid job as Julian and develops a respectable chemistry with Duhamel. Aidan Gillen of “Game of Thrones” fame only has a few scenes, but seems to relish in chewing the scenery. Rick Hoffman plays a convincing despicable father/crime boss.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1. Grade: C+

Audio Track: Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0. Grade: B+

The lone extra is an 8 minute behind the scenes featurette

March 10, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | Crime Comedy, Josh Duhamel, London Calling DVD Review, London Calling Movie