Underground Kings

This is essentially the 2014 pilot for a TV series (or miniseries) that did not last beyond four episodes and is now being marketed as a standalone movie, which makes no sense. As with any TV pilot, multiple story threads are introduced for later development, so it's not surprising that much of the material here winds up feeling like a series of blind alleys. Set in Philadelphia, Underground Kings centers on a huge array of characters on both sides of the law, with some straddling the divide. Young narcotics detective Carter (Kevin Savage), who is caught between his job and domestic obligations, is recruited by a federal agent to go undercover and weed out police corruption following an ambush of Carter's partner. Meanwhile, a drug kingpin named Smooth (Christopher Mann) navigates his own set of problems with more powerful mobsters, treacherous underlings, and a crooked police lieutenant who is putting the squeeze on him. Also added to the mix is a cartoonish gaggle of Sopranos-like made men who have generational conflicts with younger guys in the business. But there are so many characters and locations that's it's hard to keep up (or care). Moreover, the show's creator and costar, Skye Dennis, makes it all feel wooden and drab. Not recommended. (T. Keogh)