jusco's review: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Rating: 6/10 (24 December 2010)

It's like Snatch's twin brother, which I guess is understandable considering it's the same director. Guy Ritchie's first film is in typical fashion; bizarre, erratic, whimsical. Once again following several interlinking story arcs, it is a puzzling crime film with a lot of laughs and deaths. Four young men find themselves in debt to a crime lord (£500,000!) and they conspire to steal money from their weed-growing next door neighbours. On top of that, two antique guns and a whole bunch of characters find themselves unknowingly involved and pitted against each other; a perfect setup for a comedic and violent tragedy. Containing smart dialogue and sharp, stylish camera work (different from Snatch's editing, but still unconventional) and relatively solid performances all round, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is a solid debut from the British director. Unfortunately, if you end up watching both Snatch and this, you'll be sick of the similar styles and tones. However, it is still hilarious and of course, shocking, and it's well worth a watch. Though Snatch may have had more laugh-out-loud moments, I personally enjoyed the crafting of this film better; the editing was not as distracting, thus allowing smoother flow, and I also found the ending brilliant. But please, I beg you Mr. Ritchie, don't do it again. We've had enough of heavily-accented British crime comedy films, especially from you.