Simply Hilarious & Hysterical From Start To Finish

Rating: Null/10 (14 October 2013)

Guy Ritchie's feature film debut is a stylishly directed, cleverly scripted & ably performed crime comedy that borrows heavily from Quentin Tarantino's method of filmmaking in both style & substance yet succeeds in carving an identity of its own with its original, inventive & brainy concept teamed with excellent use of British humour.
The story of Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels concerns four friends who find themselves heavily indebted to a powerful crime lord after a rigged game of cards. Given a limited time to arrange the money, they decide to rob a small-time gang operating just next door to pay off the debt but an unexpected turn of events soon throws everyone into confusion.
Written & directed by Guy Ritchie, the film marks his breakthrough in the movie industry and is crafted with excellent wit, flair & imagination from start to finish. The screenplay employs a non-linear storyline but it all comes together near the end to form a satisfying whole. The dialogues are sharp, comic timing is spot-on and the plot brims with memorable one-liners.
Coming to the performances, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels brings many new talents on the screen, including Jason Statham and they all chip in with viable inputs and are fully committed to their given roles. Also working in the film's favour is its dynamic camera-work, tight editing that keeps the plot moving, and smart use of existing songs which wonderfully compliments its narrative.
On an overall scale, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels is an unabashedly hilarious, highly enjoyable, wildly entertaining & utterly satisfying ride that easily goes down as one of British cinema's finest crime films. A solid start for Guy Ritchie, a smooth blend of crime & comedy and always a fun experience no matter how many times you watch it, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels comes thoroughly recommended.