Roadman: The Pilot

Roadman: The Pilot is an episodic TV Movie with the first episode titled “Go Be A Roadman Fam”, following Big M (Michael Momodu) on his journey from becoming a Roadman from the small town of Basingstoke to the streets of London. The piece is evidently inspired by the hit series Top Boy (2011-2023) and the feature film Blue Story (2019), with its suburban setting and musical elements incorporated into the narrative.

One of the most endearing qualities of the pilot episode is how rapidly Michael Momodu introduces you to the world of Roadman with his deeply charismatic voiceover, which pokes fun at the audience by breaking the fourth wall. Clearly wearing its influences on its sleeve with the use of grime needle drops and a suburban backdrop, it provides the viewer with enough exposition about the area and community, as well as suitable characterisation to care about Big M’s journey. It also makes incredible use of its limited budget restraints, keeping the story grounded by utilising creative formal decisions in its editing. Stylistically, the unique narrative device of music also helps to ground the piece. An impressive feat within the direction and screenplay by Damien Brewer is how incredibly well-paced the episode feels, with frenetic energy as Big M traverses around the area to tie up all his loose ends.

Damien Brewer and Bogdan Sandu’s edit feels seamless as it perfectly transitions from high octane tension to more calm and collective pieces of dialogue between characters from the town of Basingstoke. Bogdan Sandu’s camerawork is slick and engaging, consisting primarily of wides, closeups and even handheld tracking of the actors during brief sequences of tension. Big M even makes light of the way Michael Bay shot Bad Boys 2 (2003) as it utilises a 360° arc shot around him and a brief inclusion of a drone shot, which may also be an ode to Bay’s style. This particular episode is profoundly comedic with its slapstick nature, and many of the gags thankfully land. Another major standout is that the tonal shifts are incorporated well, and it never takes itself too seriously, given its silly nature. It also makes suitable use of its runtime with its quick-paced structure and never overstaying its welcome, while leaving the viewer wanting more. This is helped by the pulse-pounding musical score.

Many of the performances are fantastic, in particular Michael Momodu, who carries the material on his back with his incredible screen presence and comedic timing. The supporting cast has astounding chemistry and gives the piece a sense of community; Damien Brewer (who portrays Chunks) in particular is a standout. Sadly, the conclusion to this episode loses some momentum in the back half due to retreading similar themes and narrative beats. The pacing also becomes stagnant and loses the urgency that was prevalent in the first half. While it switches up its style with the use of music within its exposition and regains some of its needed energy back, the conclusion lacks the emotional resonance it's clearly grasping for. However, the ending sets up more material while suitably concluding the pilot section with a cliffhanger ending.

Roadman: The Pilot “Go Be A Roadman Fam” is a fantastic introduction to the journey of Big M, brilliantly setting up his character arc and the surrounding community that has had a profound impact on his life. While it may lose its edge towards its conclusive moments, due to a rushed execution, this thankfully still works with its episodic nature. The pilot is ultimately a great start, which’ll undoubtedly improve with its future material.