Guy Ritchie returns with this same old british gangster film that is slightly more grandeur than his other installments of the same mold. It has to be said that he delivers a good film that has a strong cast as well as some strong performances. The plot, cockney gangsters pulling off heist after heist, is the same basic formula as in Lock Stock and Snatch but in RocknRolla he adds a bit more glamour and style to it. Coupled with some sharp dialogue, great editing and cinematography the film pleases without ever shifting the gear stick above 3rd.
Rock 'n' Rolla adds nothing to the genre that Ritchie made his forte with Snatch and Lock Stock, you could make a short list of the simple formulae that is used in these three films. Even ridiculously hard as nail russian hit men return in this film and are not really believable, but it could be said that this is not a serious film. The plot is well written but everything is on such a glamorous scale, almost hollywood like, that you watch this film and enjoy it rather than think about it.
Gerard Butler, Thandie Newton, Tom Wilkinson and Mark Strong all put in very good performances but its relative new comer Toby Kebbell, playing druggie rock star Johnny Quid, that steals the show and should well of been at the very least up for supporting actor at the Bafta's. He puts in a brilliant performance that was equal to Brad Pitt in Burn After Reading and Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder. Mixing poetic intelligence and quick wit to entice us into sympathising and supporting him, culminating in a fabulous five minute scene where he steals the whole show.
Overall RocknRolla is a pleasing, fast paced thriller with a brilliant soundtrack that will have you enjoying yourself but don't expect more from Ritchie in this film as you will be let down. There may well be a sequel to RocknRolla and it should promise to be as action packed and thrilling.
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