Rating: 
Summary: If you liked Snatch, you'll LOVE Lock Stock & 2 Sm. Barrels
Review: Possibly the most authentic gangster movie in wide release, this film actually features real criminals in some of its key roles. Indeed, Vinnie Jones got out of jail the day before filming started.The plot centers around four working class friends who pool 25000 pounds each for their poker expert friend to play with in a high stakes card game. Naturally, their scheme goes awry, they end up way in debt to the game's host (Hatchet Harry), and chaos ensues as they attempt to find money to repay their debt. The first third of the movie is spent introducing seperate groups of characters: Hatchet Harry and his henchman, Barry the Baptist, who "keeps the business running harmoniously" by drowning deliquent borrowers; Three soft upper-middle class pot growers in their 20's; Rory Breaker - the deceptively cute, cuddly-looking gangster with a poodle afro and the temper of a junkyard dog; two hilariously imbecilic thieves "Shotguns? You mean guns that fire shots?"; and Chris the lean, mean loan collector. Each set of characters is developed in isolation (a little bit like Tarantino) with healthy doses of English wit. Yes...this movie is very quotable. As the plot develops, each party becomes increasing tied up with the others as the movie approaches its prolonged climax. There are MANY surprises at the end of this film. As Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels was in US theaters for about one week, very few people in America have seen it. What a shame. It's significantly more humourous than Snatch, and much easier to follow. In fact, the few people that have borrowed this DVD from me have purchased a copy for themselves. This one's a keeper.
Rating: 
Summary: Sad commentary on how far we've sunk...
Review: It's the sad measure of our hypocrisy as a society that this vile & incessantly violent piece of dreck should be such popular fare. It does show our true (anglo-saxon) mettle, though, which sure is scary & seemingly hopeless.
Rating:
Summary: Great debut
Review: I have rarely enjoyed a movie the way I did with Lock,Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. One of the must see movies of the late 90's.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Script + Vinnie Jones = Fun Movie
Review: Anyone who after seeing this film and doesn't admit they enjoyed it, is a lier. While definately not a great film by any standard, the dialog, colourful characters, and clever story make this film very entertaining: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels successfully achieves a bizarre cross between traditional heist/gangstar movie( ala Resevoir Dogs) and traditional British non-romatic comedy ( ala 'Nuns on the Run'). As a comedy containing plenty of enjoyable action, it can in no way be interpreted as a serious or intelligent film. The flaws in this film are clearly evident; Firstly, the location of this film is dubious, although supposedly set in East London, it was obviously not actually filmed there as the location in the film looks more like Portsmouth. Secondly, apparently the film takes place in the side of town where there are no women- -the film has no female characters. Thirdly, Guy richie's direction can at certain times be nausia inducing: as a former pop video director he retains an annoying tendancy for 'flash' camera angles and over cutting. However a combination of an excellent storyline; full of twists and meaningfull coinsidences, very very colourful characters and the novelty of seeing Football's least talented but most violent thug in his acting debut, not only keep the film afloat but make all the films aformetioned flaws forgiven. To conclude, this is a deeply flawed but still very very enjoyable film. Worth watching just to see Vinnie Jones in his first role since leaving Wimbledon where he along with John Fashnu and Dennis Wise once terrorised football. He is wholly convincing and scary mainly because he is playing himself! And that is not a testament to his acting ability but to his character. I'm sure Gary Lineker can't dare to watch any of the scenes starring Vinnie, With Vinnies infamous death threat's to him after Lineker dived, and got him sent off when they played each other in 1995/96 season.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: Once you get used to the accents this is a great movie. I watched it twice and I loved it both times. It can be confusing and you really need to just accept everything that happens and don't forget anything. The ending... I won't even begin to give it away except to say that there were 2 possible choices at the end of this movie and Guy Ritchie chose the third! I can't write enough here to tell you how much I loved this movie, buy it!
Rating:
Summary: True crowd pleaser
Review: Guy Richie (the guy who married Madonna) shows his directing talent in his debut film. It takes place in East London i believe. Our main main characters (theres quite a few characters)are four young men with no jobs. One however, is quite a card shark and the men think they can make some money by having him play a card game with a notorius gangster who also deals in the porn/sex trade. After losing the match however, the gangster's main thug, nicknamed "The Baptist"(cuz he drowns people)threatens to cut off fingers if he can't pay the money back. The men must then figure out a way to get it. Throw in and stir some other shady interesting characters such as Vinnie Jones (the English guy in Snatch, Swordfish, Gone in 60 seconds) who's an enforcer who travels with his rather precocious but potty mouthed son to collect cash.
This film is very visually pleasing because Guy Richie comes up with unique angles/tricks to make this a slick ride w/out the use of Matrix style CG. The dialogue is often funny and pulls no punches. You'll never look at the English as uptight tea-drinkers again. If you like this movie, be sure to see Snatch, which sticks to the format and gives more of same Guy Richie.
Rating:
Summary: Good 'ol time in England
Review: This is a great movie to see. A group of friends get in debt to a major gangster. They have to get 500K in seven days or else. Each the story that ensues is amazing and hilarious. Other gangs unknowingly become entangled in the plot and everyone has their own agenda that eventually leads to an amazing collision. The dialogue and cinematograhy are top notch in this film. It is a must see.
Rating:
Summary: Funny and smart
Review: I don't know how Huy Richie winds up with Madonna, cause this movie was smart, and marrying her, well..uh? ANyway, its funny, its smart, the dialog has lots of English flair and slang so watch it with the subtitles on.
Rating:
Summary: Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (1999) d: Ritchie, Guy
Review: Move over Tarantino, there is a new kid in town, and his name is Guy Ritchie. After completing a short entitled 'The Hard Case (1995)', which attracted the notice of people like Sting, Ritchie was given the confidence to direct a feature film. Capitalizing on the lack of gangster films coming out of the United Kingdom, and growing up with a working class background it was the perfect film at the perfect time. Unfortunately the complex plot structure, and camera techniques had ten different distributors turn the film down. Ritchie blames the industry for not willing to take a gamble on new ideas. When Tom Cruise was seen at a screening of the movie, that's when it was picked up by a North American distributor, only to be followed in the UK. The success of Lock, Stock allowed Ritchie to sign a deal with Sony, without the studio even reading his script. Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels a is high energy, fast paced roller-coaster movie following the twists and tribulations of four guys who invest a life savings into the poker hand of Eddy (Nick Moran) the sharpest player on the circuit. After losing, he and his pals must somehow pay back the debt with a helter-skelter ride of misunderstandings, guns, and death. A comedy of errors in London's gangland, as every character somehow crosses paths with all others. Simuliar to Trainspotting (1996) d: Boyle, Danny; Long Good Friday (1980) d: John Mackenzie; or Mean Streets (1973) d: Martin Scorsese.
Rating:
Summary: Best made movie ever!
Review: After The ninth time I have seen this awesome movie I can now officially declare:
"This Is The Best Movie I have seen in many years."
You may ask yourself "why did he see this movie more than once?".
Well I can give you a few good reasons:
First of all, every time you watch the movie you discover things you weren't aware of, such as Phrases, Camera tricks, Soundtrack, etc.
Second of all, The movie is very funny, has great actors that feet right in to their characters. The Soundtrack is great. The filming is very special, and the story goes into the point where the audience is very sympathetic with the characters.
In short, This is a Must movie. Just watch it. Period.
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