Rocknrolla - That other Guy Ritchie film

We all know ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ as the film that practically reinvented the modern day British crime thriller (not to mention launch a certain Mr Ritchie’s career) and then ‘Snatch’ as the sort-of follow up starring Brad Pitt which was a kind of compendium piece to Lock, Stock.  Then Guy Ritchie’s name got attached to a singer and things didn’t go so well for a while.  Then came ‘Rocknrolla’ – which everyone (especially Guy Ritchie) made clear was not just a return to form, but a return to his gangster roots.

It’s about yet another gang of mockney London scoundrels who fall foul to yet another London kingpin gangster and have to come up with yet another crafty plan to come up with the cash and save their own skins in the process.  Yes, it’s basically the same plot as Lock, Stock and Snatch.  That should be a drawback, but it’s still fun.

I think if you compare Rocknrolla to Lock, Stock and Snatch you may be a little disappointed, as it’s not quite as uber-cool as either of them.  However, if you compare it to the plethora of other imitation Guy Ritchie British gangster films, you’ll realise it’s actually pretty good.  Or at least definitely watchable if you’re a fan of the genre.

I would say that Gerard Butler is the star, but he doesn’t seem to be in it enough to be classed as the ‘definite’ star.  I know Ritchie’s films are famous for their use of multiple characters and storylines all crossing over and finally coming together, but Rocknrolla seems to have one or two too many stars in it.  The cast is indeed impressive and almost every ‘hood’ is recognisable, but that just means that not all of them are fully developed as characters – Idris Elba, Geoff Bell and Thandie Newton in particular.  In fact, it’s really Mark Strong (who is basically doing a ‘Vinnie Jones’ kind of role, only slightly more expanded) who holds it all together and steals every scene he’s in.

But, don’t let that minor gripe put you off.  If you like your gangster films, or enjoy Ritchie’s (gangster) work, you should find this pretty pleasing.  I hear that it was meant to be the first film in the start of a trilogy (eight years on and we’re still waiting for part 2!).  Perhaps that’s why there were so many characters in it?  Maybe those who didn’t get enough screen time here would have had more to do in the subsequent sequels?  No matter I guess – still a fun little ensemble piece.

8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one