Clever but superficial comedy thriller

Rating: 7/10 (16 September 2007)

LOCK,STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS is an amusing and adroitly handled comedy thriller,but with the benefit of hindsight not particularly memorable or profound,and it's considerable success has led to many other British filmmakers like Guy Ritchie himself to churn out innumerable,and eventually,resistible derivative 'mockney' gangster dramas.
At least LOCK,STOCK has the advantage of not taking itself seriously,with the advantages of a clever plot,a decent ensemble cast and satisfying script.So LOCK,STOCK is in fact very enjoyable,but not without faults.One is the overtly jokey,"guns n' geezers" theme that is an obvious imitation of the style that Quentin Tarantino carried off so successfully in his first two films (RESERVOIR DOGS,PULP FICTION);Ritchie is not as subtle,electing to indulge in some shoot-em-up action that often comes across as knockabout slapstick,and the toughest gangsters on show here considerably lack both the terrifying menace and scatological wit that QT achieved with such style.There is also the undeniable feeling that Ritchie seems overwhelmingly pleased with his own directorial bravado,with it's various visual flourishes and narrative tricks,which superficially entertain but seem rather shallow and pointless soon afterwards.And Vinny Jones' much vaunted appearance is not so much acting as a continuation of his Wimbledon FC 'Crazy Gang' persona,with it's manufactured,exaggerated machismo.Mr.Jones abilities as a actor are identical to those he had as a footballer: fairly effective,but in a crude,heavy-handed manner.But like his soccer career,Jones has managed considerable and unexpected success as a big-screen performer,despite critical apathy and adulation that is rather out of shape and proportion to his aptitude as a thespian.
LOCK,STOCK is still fine entertainment despite these concerns,though Ritchie since has become increasingly carried away with his follow-ups;SNATCH had it's merits but was even more bloatedly self-indulgent and ostentatious,and SWEPT AWAY and REVOLVER were considerable box-office and critical mishaps.Ritchie can direct alright,but with more humility and less attempts at flagrant exhibitionism he may be more appreciated and respected universally. I hope my doubts about him can be dislodged one day;his chances are running out.
RATING:7 out of 10.