173. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Director: Guy Richie

Starring: Jason Flemyng

Dexter Fletcher

Jason Statham

Nick Moran

IMDb Rating: 8

My Rating: 8.5

"Err, bad breath, colorful language, feather duster... what do you think they're gonna be armed with? Guns, you tit!"

Synopsis

Four friends have gone 500,000 pounds in debt to gang boss Harry Lonsdale after a crooked game of cards. Harry says that he will take one finger at a time if they don't pay the money back within a week. The friends are at a loss at how to get the money, until they overhear their neighbors plan to rob some drug dealers. Together the friends devise a plan to get the money before their final "hand" is up.

What's so great about Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels?

There is a great deal to enjoy about Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Director Guy Richie thrives with these action-heist films, and this is by far his best effort. The action is fast paced and gritty. The different angles and point of views of the heist are outlined and orchestrated very well. With so many characters, a film like this could very easily become a mess. Not the case with this film. The writing is very witty, and what we are left with is a solid story with great laughs and superb action. From an entertainment aspect, you can't ask for much more in a film.

Anything not so great?

This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but this mind as well be a foreign language film. They are in fact speaking English, but there is a ton of slang and at times the accents can be a little difficult to understand. I watch a lot of British films and even I had a little trouble. It never gets to a point where you are completely clueless to what they are saying, but there may be some phrases or words that you are left just guessing at.

Best Scene

Without giving anything away, the shoot out to the soundtrack of Zorba the Dancing Greek is classic. This one scene really sets the entire theme of the film, that being hilarious chaos.

Does Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels belong in the 250?

It might not be a positive yes, but I really have zero problem with this film being considered one of the top two hundred-fifty films.

Final Words

What really draws me to this film is how well it's written. Many films have tried this formula and have ultimately failed (see Smokin' Aces). When a film of this kind is done right, it really becomes a cross-over favorite of film aficionados and movie lovers alike. In my opinion, this is hands down Guy Richie's most complete film. If you enjoyed films like Pulp Fiction or fellow Brit Edgar Wright's homage action-comedy Hot Fuzz, you would greatly enjoy this film.