Clever contrived plot but ultimately shallow

Rating: 1/10 (30 October 2001)

I didn't catch this at the cinema as I was somewhat put off by the hype and media circus surrounding it. So I was quite pleased to catch it on tv. My word, what a lot of fuss over nothing. Guy Ritchie certainly knows how to devise contrived and clever plots; the ending was a nice homage to 'The Italian Job'.
However, that's where all the praise ends. After a bright start, the film eventually descended into a farce with people shouting at each in silly Cockney accents. Perhaps I've missed the punchline or lost my sense of humour but this film was like an adult version of Scooby Doo with its cartoon violence and characterization.
Apart from some touches -ie the slow mo's during the card game - this film had a very made for tv feel about it. God help us if Ritchie is the future of British cinema.