Formula 51
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Movie Reviews of Formula 51
Movie Review: Gasping under the weight of high expectations...
Summary: 3 Stars
This film suffers from the millennial Brit-cool factor that began a slow creep into American consciousness in the 90s and had morphed into a full-blown genre by the year 2000. Had Formula 51 (2001) been dreamed up a few years earlier it might have experienced a better reception. But it comes slightly too late in the game to succeed entirely -- the afterglow of Lock, Stock... (1998) is gone and the promise of Guy Ritchie has already begun to wane. Coming as it does on the tail end of things, it feels like we've seen most of it before.
The quirky blend of star power is also not quite enough to take Formula 51 safely out of the hazard zone -- if anything it contributes to the stumble. Between them, Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Carlyle helped shape the genre in which Formula 51 is operating. Jackon, via association with Tarantino and several of his other high-profile roles in the 90s, carved out the definition of thinking hard assitude (there is usually something going on in the heads of Jackson's characters -- underneath the attitude, he's a scientist, he's a reader, he's a doctor, he's a pharmacologist, etc.). And Carlyle popped up in many of the films that registered the new Britain within the American consciousness -- ex. the young people herded to see Trainspotting, their parents flocked to see the Full Monty.
The combination of these two stars must have seemed brilliant in the boardroom, and even to the stars themselves. And they do work well together. The problem is that Jackson is too one-dimensional to be the focus, and Carlyle -- usually a force to be reckoned with whether he's doing action, comedy or drama -- comes off as weak against the sheer wattage of Jackson's attitude.
Jackson, paying for a mistake made on the side of a California highway 30 years before, wants out of the drug trade... but we never really see why. Sure, his boss is a jerk, but we don't see them together and witness their dynamic until the end of the film. Jackson tries to blow the guy up at the beginning -- this is supposed to be enough to tell us that he has spent 30 years toiling in the drug trade under oppressive psychotic boss types and now he wants out. But it isn't. If anything, it looks like Jackson has always been in charge and enjoying himself. This is what I mean by one dimensional -- he seems to be in one mode: hard ass (without much motivation).
Meanwhile, Carlyle is properly ballsy and crazy, though bumbling, with his own crew, but once Jackson arrives in Liverpool he can't hold his own. He is meant to learn something from Jackson, but whether he does is never clear -- the filmmakers thought it was enough for him to get the girl in the end, rather than round out the character he tries to shape.
These two very capable actors find themselves with their usual roles reversed -- here Jackson is the leader, Carlyle the sidekick. In his supporting roles, Jackson usually leaves us wanting more of his badass smarts. If he's going to play the lead he's got to have a little more to work with (and work a little harder). And Carlyle is usually the one in charge, even when he's screwing it up -- to see him playing second fiddle just doesn't seem quite right. So this combination of two 90s major players becomes problematic... and contributes to the overall mess.
The rest of the cast is almost irrelevant -- Emily Mortimer, an actress who I love and who is consistently good and often underappreciated, clearly took the role for pure over-the-top fantasy reasons. She gets to sport two accents, wear different leather outfits (not to mention a blond wig), drive fast cars, scale buildings, shoot guns, etc. A fun adrenaline departure from her usual quiet fare. And she's fine in the role. But you never really get inside her character's head, and it seems a bit too neatly tied up for her to end up where she does in the end. It was hard to believe that she'd leave in the first place -- and where did a nice girl like this learn to hit, anyway? Someone with a bit more edge might have brought something more to the role... and someone with a bit more celebrity (like a rock star or athlete in a cameo) might have brought a bit more spark to bolster the film outside the theatre (ex. Vinnie Jones turns actor... that was conversation in itself). I love Emily Mortimer, but no one goes to the movies just to see her. Meanwhile, Rhys Ifans enjoys himself as an unhinged drug king (and it would be unfair not to mention Ifans's contribution to the Brit-cool consciousness factor via Notting Hill). Sean Pertwee is also fully capable as the cop but brings nothing new to his role and Meat Loaf (who has fared better in other films) is just plain awful as the Lizard.
At any rate, the film isn't horrible -- there are some truly funny moments (skinheads, chakras, football...) in between the flat expanses and far-fetched flights of action movie fancy. It's hardly the worst film in the world. It's just a bit uninspiring. And it can't meet the expectations placed upon it by its place within the timeline of pop culture... or survive beyond the confines of the Brit-cool genre (which seems to have either died completely or is in the process of evolving into something else). Also, if you have a hard time understanding anything but American English and honestly believe that London is the only city in England, then this film is not for you (note to Brits: not all Americans are such unfortunates, thanks). And I'm sorry but the final shot contains some of the worst body-part double work I've ever seen. The skin was a completely different color and you could actually see where they'd cut off the other guy at the waist. A bizarre misstep.
Meanwhile, I think a sequel of sorts (gasp) operating entirely outside the genre, in which Robert Carlyle and Emily Mortimer attempt to make an actual go of it, would be interesting. While we get to learn why she's into guns and where she learned (and whether she can keep that itch for the trigger under control), he'd doubtless be unable to stay out trouble in the pubs (or elsewhere)... Well, I'd watch it.
Movie Review: An instantly forgettable film
Summary: 3 Stars
I hadn't seen this movie for ages, when I got given it for Christmas, for some unknown reason. The only reason I can think of as to why I got it is that Robert Carlyle gets his kit off. Or is the giver hinting at what we should get up to in the bath? I'm at a loss here. I originally thought I couldn't review it on Amazon, as for the life of me I couldn't find a film called 51st State. It didn't occur to me at the time that Formula 51, and 51st State were the same movies. Damn!!! I can't say I particularly enjoyed the film the first time round, never mind remember anything from it. After watching the trailer to try and jog my memory, my dad was already laughing. So I thought there must be something in it that I would like.
Apart from Robert Carlyle and the amount of press attention that Samuel L Jackson got for wearing a kilt, turning up at premieres in it, there is nothing else really that appeals to me about the movie. (Also, in an extra scene that appears to have nothing to do with the rest of the movie, Samuel appears naked. With an afro.) There's a lot of swearing, and I mean a lot of which anyone outside the UK probably won't have a hope in hell of understanding! If there's one thing we Brits do best, it's probably swearing! Most of the characters are pretty much stereotypical too. You've got the shaven-headed thugs, the pretty skinny girl who's been poured into those leather/PVC pants and is pretty handy with a gun, the thick as a brick cop and the few stupid people scattered amongst the rest. Including Horse from Full Monty :) I didn't mind Emily Mortimer's character much, although if she turned sideways she disappeared. And she's so lucky that she can look that good in a pair of leather/PVC pants.
There are a few funny laugh-out-loud moments in this movie, but I found them few & far between. It's quite a fast paced movie, with enough oddball characters to keep you from glancing at the clock.
I can't say I'm that impressed with having this in my DVD collection. It's enjoyable enough, but don't expect to be able to remember much afterwards. And if you've got someone who memorise every single line after just one viewing of a movie, then you don't want to let them watch this. Believe me, I'm talking from experience here. I've had lines from this movie said me hundreds of times over, and unfortunately they're not lines I can repeat here! And he even got the facial expression of Robert Carlyle down pat when he did (for me anyway) his most memorable line.
Movie Review: [3.5 stars]-Samuel L. Jackson in a Kilt!.....now that's funny
Summary: 3 Stars
This film is all about style, humor and pace and not about character or plotting. In this regard it is an enjoyable ride, albeit a silly and energetic one. The hyper directing from Yu really suits this and he does well even if he is not really very original in regards his shots etc. The editing fits with the formula set by Ritchie and is pretty much what you expect. What makes the film stand out from the rest of the copies is that it actually is quite good fun to watch (as opposed to some copies that are just cheap and nasty) - never hilarious but it is energetic enough to pull you along with it no matter how silly it gets. Of course it has weak points - a few characters are too daft and, whenever the overall plot is the main focus then it struggles.
Despite this the cast do well to keep things moving and they play a massive part in making this work. Jackson may not be doing anything new or wonderful here but he is key to the film working and he is worth every penny they must have paid him. He has great presence and he brings a lot of fun and energy to the film in a way that his lesser co-stars cannot. Carlyle is a good actor but he pales in comparison to Jackson in this - he isn't helped by the awful accent he is lumbered with and the fact that he is a little irritating. Mortimer is annoying as her character is just daft in the context of the plot, but not as annoying as Meatloaf who is easily the worst thing in the film. The support cast includes reasonable turns from Pertwee, Ifans, Tomlinson and Barber but this is Jackson's film 100% and it is difficult to imagine it being as enjoyable without him.
`Formula 51' a.ka.'51 States' moves fast, slick, and clearly had a bit of cash thrown at it and, apart from a handful of stupidly silly moments, is actually quite fun to watch - even if it is almost instantly forgettable. The cast includes quite a few well-known faces but it is the great presence of Jackson (who looks like he is enjoying himself in an undemanding role) that makes this worth seeing. If you are a fan of Snatch and Lock Stocking, you will definitely recognize the ingredients of this movie.
Movie Review: Entertaining to the last
Summary: 3 Stars
This is one of those films that you can watch once ,put down for a few weeks/months,and on a Friday,or Saturday night with nothing to do,watch again.My main complaint is the ammount of swearing throughout the film.I do believe this is one of the few films that gets placed in the Guinness Book Of World Records for using the "F" word dozens&dozens of time,and its many combinations.It has what I consider the "Hollywood Formula Screenplay" to make a "style" film.Quintin Tarantino set the pace with Resevoir Dogs,and there were many carbon coppies made after.Some good,some bad,and yes...some ugly.The soundtrack to this film,while mysteriously unavailable is great throughout the movie and set the film's pace.
All the characters are entertaining,and while a little over the top&over zealous at times,it all fits with the way the film was intended to play.The only character I did'nt care for was the "female assasin".She was unbelievable as an assasin in every way,shape&form.The guns she fired were parcticaly bigger than she was,and looks like (if in the real world) she would'nt even be able to hold up any of them to aim strait enough and hit the broadside of a barn.All in all,this movie is just fun to watch with a group of friends.Break out the beer,popcorn&whatever else you like to consume while watching a flim like this,it's a kick.
Movie Review: Formulaic 51
Summary: 3 Stars
A movie that never lives up to its potential, FORMULA 51 seems more like an exercise in filmaking or B-Movie than a major release. People might be looking for a PULP FICTION or a SNATCH here, but it is not quite on the same level. It's more on the level of Mark Wahlberg's 1998 cult action film THE BIG HIT and to no surprise, both films are by directors from the Hong Kong film industry (Ronny Yu and Kirk Wong respectively). What saves the film is the casting of international stars with the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Meatloaf, and Robert Carlyle with their outrageous characters. They are in a story about an American (Jackson) who has invented the ultimate drug in hopes to sell the formula to make a final score. He travels to Liverpool, England to meet with mobsters in hopes it will become the next fashion drug at 'party raves'. The dialogue is fast and crisp, the action and gunplay are graphic and bloody, and there is the right amount of comedy mixed in with the violence with some plot twists and turns to keep the film moving. There are some plot holes and predictable plot devices and if the film went beyond the right amount of 92 minutes, the audience would have had enough of all the gratuitousness. Overall, entertaining, but only for the fact of the cast and slight comedic moments.