Related
Although he is now one of the giving action movie stars on the planet , Jason Statham ’s acting career had somewhat lowly beginnings , 26 years ago . Before he became the brass offranchises likeThe TransporterandThe Expendables , Stathammade his launching alongside a lot of other up - and - coming lead in Guy Ritchie ’s gangster flick , Lock , Stock , and Two Smoking Barrels . At the time , the movie was herald as a ground - breaking moment in British movie theater , with Ritchie ’s storytelling , cinematography , and kinetic direction earning kudos . However , time have changed .
Lock , Stock , and Two Smoking Barrelsis available to rent on Apple TV+ .
SinceLock , Stockpremiered in 1998 , the careers of everyone involve – as well as the industriousness as a whole – have make a motion on . Things that felt fresh and progressive now perhaps feel outmoded – in some cases , thanks to over - photograph from Guy Ritchie himself . While there ’s no doubt thatsome things aboutLock , Stockhave aged badly , the film remains an crucial landmark . That said , rewatching the pic in 2024 reveal some uncomfortable truth about a product that many conceive to be a cult classic .
2007 ’s In the Name of the King is Jason Statham ’s lowest - rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes . Rewatching it 17 long time on is an interesting experience .
10Lock, Stock Is One Of Jason Statham’s Best Performances
It Contains More Variety Than Most Roles
To most fans , Jason Statham is primarily recognized as an action star . His performance in successful releases likeThe Beekeeper , The Fast and the Furiousfranchise , andThe Meghave helped make him one of the most bankable names in the business , withStatham movie pull in over $ 2 billion globally . However , while his roles in these projects have a certain consistency , many of them arguably miss the variety he displays inLock , Stock , and Two Smoking Barrels .
When the group robs Dog ’s crew of stealer , Statham is genuinely menacing – demonstrate a versatility that explains his late calling success .
As Bacon , Statham sets the feeling for the plastic film . As part of the fundamental quartet of supporter who set the account in motion with their plan to cash in in at a felonious card plot , he displays great funny timing and exudes magical spell . However , the movie also contains hints of the terror he would carry in later roles . When the chemical group robs Dog ’s gang of thieves , Statham is genuinely ominous – demonstrating a versatility that explicate his later career winner .
9Guy Ritchie Has Never Really Moved Past Lock, Stock
He Keeps Returning To The Same Themes
Part of the rationality forLock , Stock ’s succeeder was that its manipulation of overlapping stories , distorted timeline , and elaborate cast felt audacious and original . It also cement Guy Ritchie as one to watch in the diligence . However , as innovative as the moving-picture show felt on release , the harsh Sojourner Truth is thatRitchie has struggled to move on from the movie ’s story and structureas his own career has developed .
Not only did his 2000 follow - up , Snatch , closely mirrorLock , Stockin almost every way ( ranging from share cast members to report similarities ) , but later Guy Ritchie projects have similarly failed to escapeLock , Stock ’s shadow . Lowlights likeRevolverandRocknRollawere both criticized for being derivative of his early work , while even later successes likeThe Gentlemenshare exculpated similarity . In a way , Lock , Stockcontinues to delineate him , more than two ten on .
8Jason Statham Needs More Non-Action Roles
Lock, Stock Displays His Potential Range
From Jason Statham ’s perspective , one of the most surprising thing aboutLock , Stockis the proportional absence of action at law . Although there is no shortage of violence , the movie lacks the spectacular set piecesthat would specify laterGuy Ritchie and Jason Statham collaborations , likeWrath of Man . While this might disappoint some genre fans , it underscores that Statham is much more multi - faceted as a performer than his most successful roles would suggest .
As a tight - talking hustler , Statham exudes on - screen personal magnetism , without having to recur to tall physical feats . Beyond this , he is also very funny , delivering lines with a dry sensation of humor that is resonant of his oeuvre inSpy , Jason Statham ’s best - tell on motion picture to date . While his emphasis on action has clearly yield dividends , it ’s evident fromLock , Stockthat he has many more string to his bow .
7There Are Way More Cameos Than You Remember
Famous Faces In Surprising Places
One of the specify features ofLock , Stockis its expansive cast . Even if you have n’t seen the film for a while , it ’s likely that your overriding memory is of multiple overlapping storylines regard a battalion of main musician . However , rewatching the movie in 2024 reveal that , beyond the major protagonists , there is a riches of famed face who slue under the radio detection and ranging .
The bestLock , Stock , and Two SmokingBarrelscameos include the the likes of of Sting(who play Eddie ’s dad , JD ) , comedian Rob Brydon ( the traffic warden ) , and Alan Ford ( who memorably dally the main adversary inSnatch ) . Beyond these public presentation , there are also roles for real - biography underworld figures , such as the packer and chucker-out Lenny McLean . All this makesLock , Stockincredibly cameo - grievous , alongside its across-the-board ensemble .
6There Are Too Many Characters In Lock, Stock
It’s Difficult To Become Too Invested In Any Single Story
Even discounting the turn of cameos , Lock , Stockarguably has one of the most curvy main casts on record . Beyond the four friends who ostensibly imprint the crux of the matter of the story , there is " Hatchet " Harry Lonsdale and his fellow , Winston and his team of marijuana dealers , Dog and the gang of thieves , Rory Breaker and his bunch , as well as standalone players like Big Chris and Nick the Greek .
The variety of character allowsLock , Stockto paint a colourful portrait of London ’s criminal underworld . However , it also has a negative effect on the story . It becomes unmanageable to empathize too closely with any one plot line , since characterization is inevitably abbreviate short by competing priorities . Even though it ’s a trademark of the movie , the deplorable truth is that many of these figures would do good from more sentence in the public eye .
Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie have worked together a lot over the years , and 2025 will make them action moving picture equal thanks to an epical showdown .
5Lock, Stock Glamorizes Crime
It’s An Uncomfortable Portrayal Of The Gangster Lifestyle
Toeing the personal line of credit between entertainment and exhalation is a hard remainder for any gangster picture . Some genre masterpiece , like Martin Scorsese’sGoodfellas , do a rattling job of play up how a life of criminal offence can be both seductive and destructive . alas , it ’s open 26 years on thatLock , Stockfalls short of inquire difficult questions about the life it impersonate .
There are very few serious moment for any of the protagonists , and even the villain are played for laughs rather than anything genuinely heavy .
The picture consistently make crime – whether it ’s associated with drug dealing , gambling , or violence – not only seem like a possible solution to personal problems , but also incredibly playfulness . There are very few serious consequences for any of the protagonists , and even the villain are make for for laughs rather than anything genuinely minatory . The intact story is portrayed as a romp , rather than a misadventure involving dangerous and extremely unpleasant hoi polloi – an uncomfortable world for fans to accept .
4Lock, Stock’s Humor Has Aged Badly
Many Jokes Don’t Land With Modern Audiences
For example , the homophobic means that most characters refer to Winston ’s operation now comes across as crass , rather than witty . Simultaneously , " Hatchet " Harry ’s murder of a subordinate with a giant black sex activity plaything and another type being killed by his own Bren gun makes Brad Pitt ’s comedy accent mark inSnatchseem like a masterclass in subtle , unpretentious funniness . As such , many ofLock , Stock ’s more explicitly comic aspects no longer ferment .
3Lock, Stock’s Story Is Not As Clever As You Remember It
The Overlapping Stories Aren’t Particularly Original
At the clock time of its dismissal , Lock , Stock ’s pairing of intertwine narratives and a London setting made it put up out in a stale mobster literary genre . The alleged complexness of its storytelling win particular plaudits , with many critic play up the hearty way in which all the various plot threads finally add up together . However , while there is still a sure satisfaction in understanding how the many layers all slot together , Lock , Stockis perhaps not as game - changing as many gave it credit for .
Perhaps the most obvious mark against it is the similarity the movie has with Quentin Tarantino’sPulp Fiction . LikeLock , Stock , Pulp Fictionblends multiple stories into a single , fairly coherent narrative(although with arguably even more finesse than Ritchie ’s movie ) . Given thatPulp Fiction , and other similar predecessors , pave the way forLock , Stock , its narrative approach feels markedly less impressive .
2Jason Statham Has Had The Biggest Post-Lock, Stock Career
The Rest Of The Cast Didn’t Capitalize In The Same Way
AsJason Statham ’s picture show launching , Lock , Stock , and Two Smoking Barrelswill always hold an important place in celluloid chronicle . However , while Statham used the celluloid to catapult himself to outside success , it ’s perhaps surprising that other co - stars break to capitalise .
While Vinnie Jones , Dexter Fletcher , Jason Flemyng , and Steven Mackintosh have all enjoyed impressive acting career , none of them have enjoy the same breakout success as Statham . In fact , Statham is beyond question the vainglorious name to have feature inLock , Stock , even though other cast members were , at that point , more well - constitute . If anything , it highlights how Statham is far more talented than many give him credit for .
1Other British Gangster Movies Are Far Better Than Lock, Stock
There Are Better Examples Of The Genre
Because of Statham ’s functioning , Ritchie ’s signature fashion , and the impact the film made on handout , Lock , Stock , and Two Smoking Barrels , remains beloved by many . However , while it is still a highly entertaining movie that had a huge impact on early 2000s British filmmaking , it is not the best deterrent example of a British gangster movie .
BeforeLock , Stock , critical smash likeThe Long Good Fridayoffer a much more comprehensive tone at the complexities of the vicious Hades . Post - Lock , Stock , motion picture likeLayer Cakemanage to go comedy and criminal offense in a more subtle and compelling way . Even Guy Ritchie ’s ownSnatcharguably offers a more polished whirl on the same formula . Lock , Stock , and Two Smoking Barrelsmay be a quintessentialJason Stathammovie , but it is not unflawed .
Your Rating
Your comment has not been save
Cast
