RocknRolla

RocknRolla is a Guy Ritchie film. From the opening voice over you know what is coming next. It seems that after recent failures Ritchie has decided that the best way to proceed is simply to copy the general outline of his previous success Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. One Two (Butler) and Mumbles (Elba) are two criminals who get in over there heads in a dodgy property deal and end up owing money to Lenny Cole (Wilkinson), a notorious London Gangster. They have a week to come up with the money. As with his previous work there are numerous interlinking subplots.

Ten years ago when Ritchie’s debut Lock, Stock and Two Smocking Barrels hit the silver screen we were impressed. The films many interwoven subplots worked well together, the characters were cool and there was enough humour and action to keep us entertained. A couple of years later he brought us Snatch an undoubtedly enjoyable film, but effectively a sequel. Since then Ritchie’s films have been a commercial and critical failure with Swept Away being a particular low. RocknRolla is not going to change our opinion that Ritchie is a one hit wonder.

RocknRolla is not without merit - some parts are well shot, there are a few funny moments but in the end there are no stand out performances, no great dialogue, no great characters, no dramatic twists and not enough hot women. So basically RocknRollla is Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels without the mojo. Having said all that, its reasonably entertaining.

Rating 2.5/5