Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (1999)

Cockney boys Tom, Soap, Eddie, and Bacon are in a bind; they owe seedy criminal and porn king "Hatchet" Harry a sizable amount of cash after Eddie loses half a million in a rigged game of poker. Hot on their tails is a thug named Big Chris who intends to send them all to the hospital if they don't come up with the cash in the allotted time. Add into the mix an incompetent set of ganja cultivators, two dimwitted robbers, a "madman" with an afro, and a ruthless band of drug dealers and you have an astonishing movie called Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Before the boys can blink, they are caught up in a labyrinth of double-crosses that lead to a multitude of dead bodies, copious amounts of drugs, and two antique rifles.

Written and directed by talented newcomer Guy Ritchie, this is one of those movies that was destined to become an instant cult classic à la Reservoir Dogs. Although some comparisons were drawn between Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino, it would be unfair to discount the brilliant wit of the story and the innovative camerawork that the director brings to his debut feature. Not since The Krays has there been such an accurate depiction of the East End and its more colorful characters. Indicative of the social stratosphere in London, Ritchie's movie is a hilarious and at times touching account of friendships and loyalty. The director and his mates (who make up most of the cast) clearly are enjoying themselves here. This comes across in some shining performances, in particular from ex-footballer Vinnie Jones (Big Chris) and an over-the-top Vas Blackwood (as Rory Breaker), who very nearly steals the show. Full of quirky vernacular and clever tension-packed action sequences, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is a triumph--a perfect blend of intelligence, humor, and suspense. --Jeremy Storey Amazon.com

Hilarious

I love Jason Statham and got this movie and "Snatch" to add to my collection. While he isn't the star of the movie, he does play an interesting character. I'm not normally a fan of British films and humor, but I love these films. You'll watch them over and over again and always find something new. And you will have to watch them a few times to catch everything. May 21, 2008

The good news is that they all die. . .

..well, almost all. this is a gloriously misanthropic british movie that hinges on a crooked card game that leaves our four heroes in debt for a half a million pounds to a gangster with the unpropitious name of Hatchet Harry. The boys attempt to raise the money and the world in the form of various crooks and ganja dealers tries to take it from them.
the dialog is crisp and ironic. unfortunately, it's masked by the unfortunate tendency of the english to speak, well, english and the wise american viewer will take advantage of the subtitles which appear in unmistakable english-i mean, american.
this variant on the classic caper movie depends on almost every single character being to vile to be tolerated. the denouement is a jolly cathartic bloodbath in which hardly anyone is left standing.

Lynn Hoffman, author of the much less bloody novel, bang BANG March 29, 2008

great movie for british humor

This is a funny movie, but, a bit to black-humor for my taste. I do recommend it tho. March 27, 2008

Guy Ritchie's best film.

Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels still remains as Guy Ritchie's best accomplishment. There is no shortage of humor to be found in this twisted tale of cunning, bafoonery and highly coincidental plot twists. Guy Ritchie manages to weave multiple characters through seemingly implausible plot twists (much like Snatch) and still manages to edge-out a story that isn't far from believable. The style of film is rather dull but it has a quality to it that sets it apart from it's descendant "Snatch" which is no better or worst in terms of camera and lighting when compared to most mainstream films. The dull facade of Lock, Stock gives the film a less mainstream but more authentic (local) look. It feels more like London than Snatch does.

The dialogue is both witty and smart and all the main characters are funny. The movie has a great ending that leaves you well satisfied,not craving for more. Lock, Stock doesn't get as much praise as Snatch does but Snatch made no great leaps and bounds over Lock Stock either. In fact, you could call it Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels 1.2. Not to say that it's a bad film but It doesn't get better on subsequent viewings as LOCK does. The characters in LOCK are way more like able and far more interesting and even if one were missing it would still make a great film.

Back to Lock: it is still Ritchie's best film and the reason why many first sighted him as the english Tarantino. Certainly not as good as Tarentino (not nearly as good actually) but perhaps very promising. If Lock Stock and Snatch are any indication, Guy Ritchie has the potential to be a great films. He just needs to do it more often. March 18, 2008

Almost as enjoyable

Well it's no Snatch! BUT if you like Snatch you will enjoy this movie! February 8, 2008

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