Formula 51
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Movie Reviews of Formula 51
Movie Review: Not Bad!
Summary: 3 Stars
You have to get use to the style of this movie for a while after it begins. It was not what I expected, but was entertaining and certainly unique.Movie Review: I actually love it
Summary: 3 Stars
didn't think it would be anything really not Sammy best bet hey i love his sence of humor in movies always funny....Movie Review: Can Samuel L. & Carlyle overcome Yu's awful direction?
Summary: 2 Stars
"Formula 51" was fitful to watch. I blame the dreadful directing by Ronny Yu. The opening sequence (after the pitiful pandering to 60s/70s drug culture in the prologue) has Samuel L. Jackson creating some kind of chemical we don't know about, with Meatloaf mad at him for something we don't know about, and Samuel L. Jackson trying to blow up Meatloaf because... well, we just don't know why... because Yu doesn't tell us.The subpar directing continues to the end of the film when the reality of Samuel L. Jackson's ecstasy-style designer drug (the namesake for the title "Formula 51") is revealed. The ending really cheapened the previous 90 minutes (if that was possible).
The redeeming quality of this film is Robert Carlyle (also seen in "The Full Monty"). Robert Carlyle is fantastic. He is the only reason this movie is watchable. He is frenetic and unpredictable. It is classic Carlyle as he jumps between "lightning in a bottle" zaniness mixed with brief glimpses of sincere vulnerability.
What stands out memorably is a scene where Carlyle supports his Liverpool soccer/football team by entering a pub dominated by Manchester United fans, lighting a flare, and preceding to insult them and taunt them. The thirty of them chase him around the pub. It is pure physical comedy and a true fantasy for anyone who loves to hate the Manchester United club.
Samuel L. Jackson is the lead as Elmo McElroy. True to his Scottish last name, he wears a kilt and brandishes golf clubs in fights. He is fairly cool, but not as dominatingly cool as he is in Pulp Fiction.
Yes, there are some laugh-out-loud moments, but they are outnumbered by groan-out-loud moments. Do not expect "Snatch" or "Pulp Fiction" with this one. Ronny Yu is not in the same league as Guy Ritchie or Quentin Tarantino.
Movie Review: Mixed FORMULA.
Summary: 2 Stars
If you like movies to be loud, obnoxious, and filmed in a manic style that's reminicient of an MTV video, then FORMULA 51 is for you. It seems to me when a movie has numerous interludes of a character standing still, staring at the camera whilst the latest punk/heavy metal/rap song is booming that time needs to be filled due to lack of story. This flick was simply okay, I have to admit I turned it off at the one hour mark because it was kind of dumb. Trying to be different and stylish doesn't make a movie cool, the coolest movies are different and stylish because they aren't trying to be. If you like gritty TARENTINOesque films watch PULP FICTION again instead and be rewarded with a better SAM JACKSON performance and a movie thats light years ahead in coolness over this loud mess.Movie Review: Not one of Jackson's Better Formulas
Summary: 2 Stars
Comparing this movie to those of Tarantino and Monte Python give Formula 51 too much credit. "Tarantino on the Thames" this is not. Beyond Samuel Jackson, the only saving grace of this movie is the sexy assassin played by Emily Mortimer. An almost unrecognizable Meatloaf (yes.. the rock singer) also has a small part but adds little to this formula.The plot relies on a very odd and offbeat offering of comedic and at times graphic violence. The plot is old and worn out but the movie however, invokes a few laughs. In many parts you will ask yourself, "what the hell was that all about?".
If you like Samuel Jackson you may like it. Be warned however: Formula 51 is definitely NOT one of his best. This is rental entertainment at most.