RockNRolla

RockNRolla



Guy Ritchie is more famous now for his marriage and subsequent divorce from Pop geriatric Madonna, than for his fistful of movies. He started off with such promise too, sweeping everyone off their feet with the fun London gangster caper, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Reinforcing his potential for greatness with another London Gangster caper in Snatch, starring Brad Pitt as a gypsy.
Then his talent seemed to desert him a bit. Curiously, this was about the same time he hooked up with Maddona, but I'm pointing no fingers. Swept Away – Say no more.

Since his break up, Ritchie has returned to his bread and butter by making another London Gangster movie. This one concerns a group of likely lads who call themselves the Wild Bunch. One-Two (Gerard Butler), Mumbles (Idris Elba) and Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy) will do anything for a quick buck. When accountant Stella (Thandie Newton) approaches them with a job that could earn them five million, they jump at the chance. All they have to do is rob her client, who is a very influential Russian property developer.

In the back ground old school London Gangster Lenny Cole (Tom Wilkinson) and his right hand man Archie (Mark Strong) are making a deal with the Russian, to speed his planning permission through the local council. In a gesture of good will, the Russian lends Lenny his favourite painting to bring him luck.

Unfortunately for Lenny, his Heroin addict Rock star son (Tony Kebbell) steals the painting and disappears. The Russian moves against Lenny, while the Wild Bunch steal his money.

The Wild Bunch have their own problems though, as there is a rat among them and Handsome Bob comes out of the closet.

With just the right amount of humour this film never takes itself too seriously. A couple of Russian thugs take such a beating and bounce back to their feet, you'd think you were watching Tom & Jerry. The action keeps the movie racing along at a nice exciting pace with surprises around each corner.

The dark hues struck with the golden rays of the sun lend the film an almost comic book feel that fits with the larger than life characters.

Gerard Butler doesn't really shine here though, like he did in 300, where he stole the movie away from the blistering effects. But it's more a testament to the other actors around him that he seems to be in the shadows. Tom Wilkinson especially taking on a more humorous version of Carmine Falcone.

It's clear to see that this is a return to form for Guy Ritchie. And with the promise of two sequels, he should be able to put his past mistakes behind him.

Verdict 8/10
Guy Ritchie pulls back on the crown, King of London.