Search - Formula 51 on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 10/8/2016...

I'm a big Samuel Jackson fan so this movie caught my interest. It started out very strong, the middle stalled and the ending had a nice twist. Worth the watch.

A Matter of Taste

C. A. Luster | Burke, VA USA | 05/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This will appeal the most to people that like the unusual gang movies like "Get Shorty", "The Usual Suspects", "Snatch", "Weekend at Bernies" and "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels". It has a nice story twist at the end, great acting, good action, unusual dark comedy, and much more. I can't sit through two hours of just bloody gang movies, I can if they have some comedy. This one definitely has a nice comedy touch with a good ending. The irony is when a pharmacist is busted for smoking marijuana right after he graduates college and it ruins his chance to go legitimate, he takes the pharmaceutical version of illegal drugs to a new level. A must see for people that enjoy the movies I mentioned before."

[3.5 stars]-Samuel L. Jackson in a Kilt!.....now that's funn

Jenny J.J.I. | That Lives in Carolinas | 08/15/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This film is all about style, humor and pace and not about character or plotting. In this regard it is an enjoyable ride, albeit a silly and energetic one. The hyper directing from Yu really suits this and he does well even if he is not really very original in regards his shots etc. The editing fits with the formula set by Ritchie and is pretty much what you expect. What makes the film stand out from the rest of the copies is that it actually is quite good fun to watch (as opposed to some copies that are just cheap and nasty) - never hilarious but it is energetic enough to pull you along with it no matter how silly it gets. Of course it has weak points - a few characters are too daft and, whenever the overall plot is the main focus then it struggles.

Despite this the cast do well to keep things moving and they play a massive part in making this work. Jackson may not be doing anything new or wonderful here but he is key to the film working and he is worth every penny they must have paid him. He has great presence and he brings a lot of fun and energy to the film in a way that his lesser co-stars cannot. Carlyle is a good actor but he pales in comparison to Jackson in this - he isn't helped by the awful accent he is lumbered with and the fact that he is a little irritating. Mortimer is annoying as her character is just daft in the context of the plot, but not as annoying as Meatloaf who is easily the worst thing in the film. The support cast includes reasonable turns from Pertwee, Ifans, Tomlinson and Barber but this is Jackson's film 100% and it is difficult to imagine it being as enjoyable without him.

`Formula 51' a.ka.'51 States' moves fast, slick, and clearly had a bit of cash thrown at it and, apart from a handful of stupidly silly moments, is actually quite fun to watch - even if it is almost instantly forgettable. The cast includes quite a few well-known faces but it is the great presence of Jackson (who looks like he is enjoying himself in an undemanding role) that makes this worth seeing. If you are a fan of Snatch and Lock Stocking, you will definitely recognize the ingredients of this movie.
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