You kinda know what youre gonna get with a Guy Richie film, barring that one he did with Madonna! Ever since the masterpiece that was Lock Stock, Mr Ritchie has made his money by producing some good stories in the crime thriller/comedy genre and giving the multi-character, multi-angle slant ... Read review
The film career of Guy Ritchie has endured a few bumps in recent years, with a collection ... more
of generally forgettable films from a man clearly capable of so much more. Thank goodness then forRocknRolla, which marks a smashing return to form, as he heads o...
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The film career of Guy Ritchie has endured a few bumps in recent years, with a collection ... more
of generally forgettable films from a man clearly capable of so much more. Thank goodness then forRocknRolla, which marks a smashing return to form, as he heads o...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Director Guy Ritchie presents Rocknrolla - a dramatic crime thriller starring ... more
GerardButler, Thandie Newton and Tom Wilkinson.When a Russian mobster orchestrates a crooked land deal, millions of dollars are upfor grabs, and all of London's criminal unde...
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Advantages: Good story and good cast Disadvantages: Unoriginal
...is set for stardom. Anyway, RocknRolla provides the viewer with another look at London's criminal underground but as always with a little giggle inbetween.
PLOT -
The story is very much similar to Snatch and Lock Stock with a multitude of characters all involved in something sinister that eventually all connects up. The title of the film refers to Johnny Quid, a drug addicted rock star who is embroiled in the criminal ... ...blokes, birds and backhanders inside RocknRolla featurette and Guys Town featurette.
The blu-ray transfer gives crisp views for the various areas of London both under and overground.
OVERALL -
After directing Revolver, i was a little bit suspect as to what kind of trip Ritchie would take me on next. Revolver was a headache, but this is back to his original best, good script, a good story in the similar mould ... more
You kinda know what youre gonna get with a Guy Richie film, barring that one he did with Madonna! Ever since the masterpiece that was Lock Stock, Mr Ritchie has made his money by producing some good stories in the crime thriller/comedy genre and giving the multi-character, multi-angle slant and this one is no different. Why change a winning formula right? Mixing up and coming actors with true pros is one of Ritchie's little habits, this time its Toby Kebbell who is set for stardom. Anyway, RocknRolla provides the viewer with another look at London's criminal underground but as always with a little giggle inbetween.
PLOT -
The story is very much similar to Snatch and Lock Stock with a multitude of characters all involved in something sinister that eventually all connects up. The title of the film refers to Johnny Quid, a drug addicted rock star who is embroiled in the criminal underworld. His role is a big one in the larger scheme of things but only after the story takes us on the road to understanding the roles of all others involved. Archie, crime boss Lenny Cole's right hand man, provides narration for the audience during the film. Lenny has made his millions from bent real estate deals and is looking to make more money from a group of Russian organised criminals. Unfortunately their accountant Stella is looking to also gain a little from the investment and makes wild bunch members One Two, Mumbles and Handsome Bob aware of a cash transaction enabling the ex cons to steal the cash. In the meantime, the deal is also in jeopardy as a lucky painting that the Russians lent Lenny has been stolen. Not only this but word comes about that there is a snitch in the midst. Lots going on to keep the viewer entertained!
CHARACTERS -
OneTwo (Gerard Butler, 300) is a scottish gangster who is part of the wild bunch underground criminal circle. He is strong, brash and takes an instant liking to Stella
Mumbles (Idris Elba, American Gangster) is a close friend of OneTwo and also a member of the wildbunch.
Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy, Layer Cake) is good friends also with OneTwo and Mumbles and part of the wild bunch. He has a particular secret that OneTwo is unaware of.
Lenny Cole (Tom Wilkinson, Full Monty) is London's crime boss and a dealer in real estate. He is one of the remaining members of the old school mob
Archy (Mark Strong, Stardust) is Lenny's right hand man and a gangster in his own right. He is also the films narrator
Johnny Quid (Toby Kebbell, Control) is a RocknRolla. He is a successful rock star who is addicted to drugs. He is the step son of Lenny Cole
Stella (Thandie Newton, Run Fat Boy Run) is an accountant working for the Russians and also OneTwo's love interest
Uri (Karel Roden, Blade II) is a Russian oligarth who is looking to do a deal with Lenny on some real estate. He has ties to the Russian organised criminal world.
Roman (Jeremy Piven, Smoking Aces) is Johnny Quid's record producer and agent.
Mickey (Ludacris, Hustle & Flow) is Roman's partner who owns nightclubs around London.
As you can see there are a lot of characters that the audience must get to know and follow. It keeps the story moving however and we get to see some interesting connections towards the end
PERFORMANCES -
Shout out to Toby Kebbell who i first saw in the film Control and thought he was good then, he is brilliant in this. From my opinion there is a certain Russell Brand to his character, quick witted and intelligent despite his demons. The three members of the Wild bunch are also pretty good giving good comedy moments throughout the film
MUSIC -
Guy Ritchie has made a habit of placing good music in his films and this is no different, the soundtrack has the following tracks on it
Im a Man - Black Strobe Have Love Will Travel - The Sonics Bankrobber - The Clash The Trip - Kim Fowley Ruskies - Steve Isles Outlaw - War Waiting For A Train - Flash and the Pan Rock and Roll Queen - Subways The Gun - Lou Reed The Stomp - The Hives We Had Love - The Scientists Mirror in the Bathroom - The Beat Funnel of Love - Wanda Jackson Such a Fool - 22-20s Dopilsya - Ex Sector Gaza Negra Leono - Miguelito Valdes
TECHNICAL STUFF -
Directed by Guy Ritchie whose previous films include, Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrells, Snatch, Mean Machine and Revolver. I believe this is the first time he has worked without producer Mathew Vaughn who went onto direct Layer Cake. Run time 114 minutes DVD extras include audio commentary from Guy Ritchie, deleted scenes, blokes, birds and backhanders inside RocknRolla featurette and Guys Town featurette. The blu-ray transfer gives crisp views for the various areas of London both under and overground.
OVERALL -
After directing Revolver, i was a little bit suspect as to what kind of trip Ritchie would take me on next. Revolver was a headache, but this is back to his original best, good script, a good story in the similar mould to Snatch and Lock Stock and good performances by all. Yes it is unoriginal but he has a style and he is sticking to it, its not as good as Lock Stock and not quite as funny as Snatch but it provides a good ride. Looking forward to the second instalment of the 'Real RocknRolla.
In ROCKNROLLA, London's criminals learn of a scheme that makes them see dollar signs and they'll do anything to pad their pockets with the loot. SNATCH director Guy Ritchie populates this action film with memorable characters played by the likes of Gerard Butler, Thandie Newton, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, Jeremy Piven, Idris Elba, and Tom Wilkinson.
Release details
Studio(s)
WARNER BROS.
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Sound
Dolby Digital
Professional reviews
Review
A kinetic, funny, well-cast crime caper, ROCKNROLLA proves Ritchie is still lord of his manor... (Empire, 01/09/2008)
DVD Description
Guy Ritchie returns to form with this cockney crime caper starring Gerard Butler and Tom Wilkinson. Lenny Cole (Wilkinson) is a bungling London crime boss who calls the shots in London's underworld. We learn all about Lenny from Archie (Mark Strong)--his second in command--who serves as the film's sly narrator. When a wealthy Russian property dealer by the name of Uri (Karel Roden) looks to Lenny for help on a major new deal, Lenny is eager to assist (for a very large fee, of course). Uri agrees to pay, and as a show of faith, he insists that Lenny borrow his lucky painting. Uri then asks his accountant, Stella (Thandie Newton), to transfer the money to Lenny, but things quickly go awry when two crooks known as Mumbles (Idris Elba) and One Two (Butler) intercept the money before it reaches him. To make matters worse, the lucky painting has mysteriously been stolen, and the number one suspect is a crack-addicted pop star, Johnny Quid, who is presumed dead. Violent hijinks ensue as Lenny desperately tries to locate the painting, Uri calls in some sadistic thugs to recover his money, and Johnny Quid suddenly resurfaces. Men are battered with golf clubs, fed to crawfish, and attacked with machetes, and a surprise twist ending neatly ties up the whole bloody mess. Fans of Ritchie will likely be very pleased to see him return to his SNATCH-style of filmmaking. ROCKNROLLA has the same frenetic, humorous edge as the film that made him famous, though critics might complain that this particular style is starting to look a little dusty. Regardless, ROCKNROLLA features many fine performances, and once you get past the rather slow beginning, it kicks off into an entertaining and amusing romp.
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