Pulitzer Laureate Posts: 851 Joined: 28 May 2008 | For somebody that has directed a grand total of eight film and TV projects to date, the inexperienced Guy Ritchie really knows how to create a brilliant cinematic experience. Most directors go through five times as many movies in the same time space and have far fewer of them that they could be so proud of as the works of Mr. Ritchie.
In a similar vain to Lock Stock and Snatch, this film once again takes a look at the seedy underworld of the British crime scene, focussing on the misadventures of far too many dubious characters to name, but who all play an integral part in telling what can only be described as a gripping and beguiling story. You are presented first with the point of view of Archie the hired muscle for one of London's top gangsters/property moguls looking to make a very very lucrative business deal with a Russian businessman (who bears an all too strong resemblance to Roman Abramovich methinks). In true traditional style of these films, what on the surface seems to be a fairly straightforward transaction all goes down the crapper with the theft of a lucky painting and a rather substantial sum of cash, and chaos inevitably ensues.
The one thing I find most enticing about Ritchie's films, is that the plot will always keep you on your toes. I found myself prophetically enquiring as to the next step in the film, attempting to guess just where it was going next. Then just as you think you've figured out what a character's next course of action will be, a completely unforeseen twist occurs flinging a giant gleaming spanner in the works roping you in, again making you wonder just what the hell will happen in the subsequent scene.
One of the consistent positives of Ritchie's films are always the soundtracks, and RocknRolla is by no means an exception. Although mostly just seemingly average rock music, the audio accompaniment for every scene just feels effortlessly appropriate and greatly contributes to the gritty atmosphere successfully created throughout.
The biggest strong point of this film I feel though, is the characters themselves. Every single one of them appears to be incredibly well thought out, deep with several dimensions to them and achieves the desired emotive response from the audience. Scorsese is the only other director I know of that can make people feel such a degree of sympathy for people who are essentially low life crooks, drug addicts and gangsters. I find it a strangely satisfying feeling to actually be rooting for the mob hitman or the unscrupulous bank robber, and you will be rooting for them too by the end of this film.
Also the impression left by the characters is by no small means due to the very formidable performances by the entire cast. I would single out Gerard Butler of 300 fame and the previously unknown to me Toby Kebbell, as the two to really watch in this, as they both deliver such high calibre performances to probably warrant some kind of award. They deliver the witty, intelligent and very funny script in a commendable manner rarely seen in modern British films.
There is no valid criticism that I can level at RocknRolla without descending into unnecessary nit-picking because, although I will admit what is probably some degree of bias from me as I am a major fan of the gangster genre, I feel this film covers all the bases. RocknRolla offers an experience regularly discussed, and term often bandied about on these forums; immersion. A must watch, probably drawing about on par with it's two aforementioned predecessors Lock Stock and Snatch, I heartily recommend it to anyone. |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1478 Joined: 28 Jun 2008 | I was hoping for someone to review this. I really want to see it but I've been unsure. I loved Lock Stock and I think this review has persuaded me to see Rock n' Rolla. Well done.
[
_
_
_Terminate Process 'DANNY BOT'...
_Terminating..
_Terminated.
_
_
_I'll be back.
] |
Muckraker Posts: 260 Joined: 4 Jul 2008 | I just came back from this, and I really enjoyed it, although my friend said it was more like an extended advert for "The Real RocknRolla" |
Pulitzer Laureate Posts: 851 Joined: 28 May 2008 | Danny Ocean:
I was hoping for someone to review this. I really want to see it but I've been unsure. I loved Lock Stock and I think this review has persuaded me to see Rock n' Rolla. Well done.
[
_
_
_Terminate Process 'DANNY BOT'...
_Terminating..
_Terminated.
_
_
_I'll be back.
]
Haha thanks. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
afrophysics:
I just came back from this, and I really enjoyed it, although my friend said it was more like an extended advert for "The Real RocknRolla"
I must admit I'm pretty excited about the sequel, and it does set it up nicely for The Real RocknRolla which I can only hope is as good as this. |
Press Junketeer Posts: 448 Joined: 4 Jul 2008 | This makes the movie look really good. And honestly, the only tagline you needed to say is it makes you feel like rooting for the criminal, because I love those kinds of movies. (Granted, I was rooting for the Joker in The Dark Knight, but honestly, who wouldn't? He was just too awesome to get squicked out by.) |
Infamous Scribbler Posts: 533 Joined: 31 Jul 2008 | This is one of the reasons I wanted to go to TIFF, but alas I couldn't make it. It doesn't get released in NA till late October I believe.
Good review. You make a strong case for the movie being thoroughly excellent.
And personally, I'd put Cronenberg up with Scorcese and Ritchie. |
For somebody that has directed a grand total of eight film and TV projects to date, the inexperienced Guy Ritchie really knows how to create a brilliant cinematic experience. Most directors go through five times as many movies in the same time space and have far fewer of them that they could be so proud of as the works of Mr. Ritchie.
In a similar vain to Lock Stock and Snatch, this film once again takes a look at the seedy underworld of the British crime scene, focussing on the misadventures of far too many dubious characters to name, but who all play an integral part in telling what can only be described as a gripping and beguiling story. You are presented first with the point of view of Archie the hired muscle for one of London's top gangsters/property moguls looking to make a very very lucrative business deal with a Russian businessman (who bears an all too strong resemblance to Roman Abramovich methinks). In true traditional style of these films, what on the surface seems to be a fairly straightforward transaction all goes down the crapper with the theft of a lucky painting and a rather substantial sum of cash, and chaos inevitably ensues.
The one thing I find most enticing about Ritchie's films, is that the plot will always keep you on your toes. I found myself prophetically enquiring as to the next step in the film, attempting to guess just where it was going next. Then just as you think you've figured out what a character's next course of action will be, a completely unforeseen twist occurs flinging a giant gleaming spanner in the works roping you in, again making you wonder just what the hell will happen in the subsequent scene.
One of the consistent positives of Ritchie's films are always the soundtracks, and RocknRolla is by no means an exception. Although mostly just seemingly average rock music, the audio accompaniment for every scene just feels effortlessly appropriate and greatly contributes to the gritty atmosphere successfully created throughout.
The biggest strong point of this film I feel though, is the characters themselves. Every single one of them appears to be incredibly well thought out, deep with several dimensions to them and achieves the desired emotive response from the audience. Scorsese is the only other director I know of that can make people feel such a degree of sympathy for people who are essentially low life crooks, drug addicts and gangsters. I find it a strangely satisfying feeling to actually be rooting for the mob hitman or the unscrupulous bank robber, and you will be rooting for them too by the end of this film.
Also the impression left by the characters is by no small means due to the very formidable performances by the entire cast. I would single out Gerard Butler of 300 fame and the previously unknown to me Toby Kebbell, as the two to really watch in this, as they both deliver such high calibre performances to probably warrant some kind of award. They deliver the witty, intelligent and very funny script in a commendable manner rarely seen in modern British films.
There is no valid criticism that I can level at RocknRolla without descending into unnecessary nit-picking because, although I will admit what is probably some degree of bias from me as I am a major fan of the gangster genre, I feel this film covers all the bases. RocknRolla offers an experience regularly discussed, and term often bandied about on these forums; immersion. A must watch, probably drawing about on par with it's two aforementioned predecessors Lock Stock and Snatch, I heartily recommend it to anyone.