Not Quite Snatch, but Not too Bad.

Rating: 8/10 (15 May 2015)

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels may have been the film to cemented Guy Richie's spot as a cinematic and iconic force to be reckoned with, but after having watched both this movie and Snatch, it's hard to argue in favor of the former being a superior film. Everything this film lacks, Snatch made up for and expanded upon. Now this isn't to say that Lock, Stock isn't a great film, it's quite enjoyable. However, its slightly harder to follow even though it's plot is less complicated and convoluted than Snatch.
The cast is weaker, but the focus on their characters is better. Where the movie failed to grab me as a viewer is how each character could be considered slightly less memorable than those in Snatch as well as the dialog. Snatch sees it's cast embody far more personality as well as polishing the gritty world a bit more; making it an easier and superior watch. I can usually argue against polish in a film if everything else is in check, but as I stated before Lock, Stock feel like the less fully realized film. It doesn't have that punch that Snatch has either.
If you're looking for a great film to watch and haven't seen either, then I recommend watching this one first followed by Snatch, or if you've already seen Snatch then watch this one, but only if you're a fan of Guy Ruchie films or crime comedies more than anything. It's really a film that perhaps could have been best experienced back in the days when it first came around. But given that was the 90s and other similarly themed films such as Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Trainspotting, etc, where around this one could be considered a weaker entry for some.