Gassed Up

Explosive and electric, Gassed Up is an intense cautionary tale of young men falling into the dangerous world of petty crime. It follows Blue Story’s Stephen Odubola as Ash who’s part of a moped street gang that works for an Albanian crime family. His end goal is to earn enough money to send his mum to a good rehabilitation programme for her drug addiction and sustain a better life for himself and his sister. Written by Warheads playwright and One Piece actor Taz Skyler, alongside Archie Maddocks and director George Amponsah, the feature explores how societal and government failures can lead youths from disenfranchised groups to a life of crime. It also touches on loyalty, brotherhood, found families in gangs and modern bike culture, as well as manipulative age gap relationships and sexual assault. These weighty topics are drenched in neon lights and punctuated by action-packed sequences, enhanced by a volatile and upbeat soundtrack that complements the roar and rev of a moped’s engine.

The cast all share a fantastic chemistry, whether as comrades or in opposition. Skylar – who also stars in the film as Dubz – and Odubola in particular are a lively pair, with their characters’ relationship a balance of Dubz’s earnest affection for Ash and his didactic hold over him as the leader of the gang. It’s that contrast between these two sides of their dynamic that amplifies the moral dilemma Ash faces as he and the rest of the gang sink themselves deeper into the crimes they commit. Odubola also has an exhilarating chemistry with Mae Muller, leaving the audience perhaps wanting more screen time given to their characters’ romantic tryst. What holds the storytelling back in places, is the exposition-heavy script: when it comes to the life and story of each individual and their relationships, most of it is revealed through dialogue rather than context clues through action.

One thread that’s persistent throughout the film is the blurry line that comes with doing something as a means to an end. In this case, it’s how far Ash will go to claw his way out of his harsh circumstances in life before he loses himself in the adrenaline rush of committing these terrible acts. It’s the idea of flying too close to the sun: it burns. Or going too fast in a moped: it might just kill the rider. Gassed Up elucidates this through the guys playing violent video games or moments of intensity undercut by comedy, creating a built-up tension stifled by the temporary anaesthesia of the fun times they’re having together. Production aids in the execution of this theme through constant and fast camera movements during chase and action sequences, contrasting with the use of slow motion in moments of significant impact.

Overall, Gassed Up is a very aesthetically pleasing film: the lens flares and the lighting set the film’s atmosphere, and the fight and chase scenes are adrenaline and anxiety-inducing. It’s also easy to appreciate the themes of the feature because they are very relevant in today’s society. That being said, the highlight is undoubtedly the chemistry between the actors: it’s how they endear the audience to the push-and-pull dynamic of their gang, emphasising the moral dilemmas their characters face.

Full of heart and infectious relationships, Gassed Up is an entertaining ride that explores the allure and pitfalls of a found family bonded by crime.

Mae Trumata

Gassed Up is released nationwide on 9^th February 2024.

Watch the trailer for Gassed Up here: