boy was that ever disappointing after the prequel! I have another 2 or 3 in the franchise to watch. I hope it won't be the raw deal this was

I like this one more than the first instalment. 'Rise of the Footsoldier Part II' is, albeit marginally, enjoyable. My main issue of the average original is that there's no reason to care one jot about lead character Carlton. While he still isn't likeable, I felt myself a little bit more invested in him. That's a positive step. There are, obviously, still a load of issues. The dialogue remains poor, while the overall pacing continues to be hit-and-miss. The level of acting is questionable, also. With that said, I do think it improves on the 2007 film - the plot, most crucially. Ricci Harnett is passable as Carlton. None of the others stick out, though Coralie Rose (Denny) is at least likeable. It's also interesting to see Charlie Heaton, nowadays a star of 'Stranger Things', involved in a very minor role. I'd class this as good, even if it only scrapes into that bracket.