Rating: Summary: Highly amusing, but don't expect accuracy. Review: The first time I saw this film, I was deeply confused. Just what was up with the costumes? And the music? The second time through, when I actually watched the screen instead of the sewing machine, it made so much more sense. Aha! They weren't goign for accuracy at all! I can go with this, support it even, despite the fact that I am one of the biggest costume snobs I've ever met. Just go with it.
The biggest thing I noticed was that the only ones that got the seriously wrong costumes were the highest, smartest set, the ones that knew the rules and broke every one of them. In every part of their lives. I actually saw it as a way of pointing out to a population that probably would have seen truly accurate costume as merely quaint or stuffy, and that was not the attitude these people had. So you add a few modern touches, and really, it doesn't detract from the general mood they're trying to convey.
The same thing kind of applies to the music, but you know, it's really just a good soundtrack. Apparently, baroque and techno can do quite well together, and have a lot of fun in the process. I'm still upset that the jail scene song isn't on the CD though.
I find it deeply, terrribly funny that Alan Cummings' part bore the name of Rochester. The only other infamous Rochester I can think of was a 17th century poet who wrote the dirtiest, most obscene, most openly bi-sexual lyrics I've read that date to before the 20th century. So the eyebrow piercing was maybe a little much, but hey, it looked just swell on him with those incredible coats.
Plot? Who needs plot? Seriously though, there was one. It's just a very, very common one. Think Robin Hood, or pirates, or simply highwaymen. They all have the same plot, and it never goes out of style. There's a reason for that--it's all great fun, and sometimes you get a moral, sometimes you don't, and sometimes they dance the Tyburn Jig and all the pretty ladies weep. It all amounts to the same thing.The point is always just to have fun, and a good laugh.
Rating: Summary: "The Velvet Goldmine" with wigs and panniers Review: The incoherent plot and screenplay are both laughably bad. Pretty costumes, pretty direction, a nifty techno soundtrack, and Robert Carlyle make watching Plunkett & McLeane worthwhile only if you're in the mood for a ninety-minute music video. Brainless fun.
Rating: Summary: Graphic but a good watch Review: The one thing no one ever told me about this movie when recommending it was how visually graphic it is. Like Trainspotting or Quills, it has moments that turn the stomach. But it's extremely well done. The performances (with the notable exception of Liv Tyler, who is vacant eyed and vapid) are solid and believable. Robert Carlyle and Alan Cummings stand out for me, as they play their characters to the hilt. A fine look at the jaded aristocracy of the time, and of the difference between the classes, even if the anachronisms can be a bit jolting.
Rating: Summary: Ye Olde Trainspotters Review: The only time you'll see tracks on anyone's arms here is when they are unceremoniously run over by a mid-18th century horse cart. First time director Jake Scott (read: Kelly Lynch, Sofia Coppola) borrows the keys to the studio and produces a fairly rollicking debut with "Plunkett & MacLeane". Robert Carlyle and Jonny Lee Miller take thier "Trainspotting" schtick to 1750's England as a pair of rogueish and rascally highwaymen, stealing valuables from silly foppish aristocrats. Miller finds time along the way to fall head over heels (who wouldn't?) for lucious Liv Tyler, as the daughter of a bigwig Chief Justice. That's about as complicated as the cartoonish plot gets, but Scott directs with infectious energy and a bit of a wink at the audience, so you may find yourself entertained in spite of a rather thin narrative. If you are the scholarly type who likes to nitpick at historical inaccuracies-you'd best steer clear of this one...if the 18th century characters spouting Tarantino style dialogue doesn't make you crazy, the incongruous music soundtrack is sure to put you over the edge (no harpsichords or minuets were harmed in the making of this film). An honorable mention goes to the ever engaging Alan Cumming,sporting a spooky physical resemblance to Pee Wee Herman and attacking his role as a decadent dandy with much aplomb.
Rating: Summary: Good movie, atrocious Music score! Review: The unfortunate thing about this movie is that with the exception a a few brief moments, the music ruins this funny and well done film. I am not fussy about my music, I loved Moulin Rouge and I have no problem with modern music in period style films, as long as that music is GOOD music. The problem is that the music in this film is absolutly horrid! The cast and the crew should have killed the composer for doing what he did to this film. There are scenes that get lost in the noise of the loud and obnoxious score. It is really too bad because if you can somehow manage to ignore the music(and that is a very hard thing to do) it is a very funny movie with a great cast. I think the only other problem I had was the passing of the jewel scene that seemed so ridiculously idiotic and much too long. I won't buy this DVD because I just couldn't stand to hear the music again. IF they ever try to do a deluxe version of this film, not likely as it bombed, I would suggest they tank the entire score except the last few minutes and redo it. The funny thing is most of the reviews I read when the movie came out said the same thing, good film except the score.
Rating: Summary: Pretentious and Predictable Review: There is real plot in this film, it just follows two bumbling theives. Actually the two actors are the only aspect that make this movie watchable, just barely however.The self-concious humour ends up being incredibly pretentious, it even seems to revel in the fact that it is pretentious, and somehow that makes the movie selfaware and hip. Some people might leap to this films defense and claim that the forgetable plot was part of the grand scheme to keep it fun and exciting. The problem is asides from the an uninvolving plot, this movie is extremely predictable, which further deminishes the already trite affair.
Rating: Summary: Pretentious and Predictable Review: There is real plot in this film, it just follows two bumbling theives. Actually the two actors are the only aspect that make this movie watchable, just barely however. The self-concious humour ends up being incredibly pretentious, it even seems to revel in the fact that it is pretentious, and somehow that makes the movie selfaware and hip. Some people might leap to this films defense and claim that the forgetable plot was part of the grand scheme to keep it fun and exciting. The problem is asides from the an uninvolving plot, this movie is extremely predictable, which further deminishes the already trite affair.
Rating: Summary: New and Brilliant Review: This film is exactly as it says on the box, "A historic lock, stock and two smoking barrels"! I sat down to watch this film with an open mind as to wether I'd like it or not as it is different to anything i've ever watched before but as soon as the movie started I was mesmerised by the excellent acting, complex,yet easy to follow storyline and excellent soundtrack! Carlyle and Miller both never fail to (Stand and)deliverand Liv tyler as support is also excellent. If you like LOCK, STOCK & TWO SMOKING BARRELS you're bound to like this!
Rating: Summary: Good old fashioned adventure Review: This is a good adventure. Period. Don't expect nothing more than it. Carlysle is charismatic as ever, Mill eris great, only Liv Taylor, beautiful as always, continues to give us bad acting. The plot is good, the ending is old fashioned (the "anti-heroes" get away with it and happy), the villain is stereothyped. Good.
Rating: Summary: Plunkett and Macleane DVD Review: This is my kind of movie. Robert Carlyle and Johnny Lee Miller are simply fantastic in the title roles. If you like action adventure movies, you've got to give this one a try. If you like period pieces, such as: Barry Lyndon, and The Adventures of Robin Hood you should enjoy this film. I know I did. The filmmaker tried to inject 20th century sensibility into eighteenth century dialog, probably to add some humor, if that doesn't bother you there's nothing standing in the way of your enjoying this film.
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