Formula 51

source: Formula 51

source: The 51st State

Unsure whether it's meant to be drama or comedy, satire or surrealism, '51st State' winds up being none, a sustained self-indulgent example of pubertal moviemaking at its very worst. The script, such as it is, betrays the usual, and by now tiresome, adolescent preoccupation with profanity, as if in some way cinematic realism can be attained when all else fails by having the characters swear at each other from start to finish. Boring? You betcha. Apparently, the Film Council was involved in the funding of this expletive-deleted nonsense. So that's all right then. VERDICT: redefines moronic cinema, but still isn't worthy of a point out of ten.

Excellent fun, fast paced action comedy with a great cast. This is easily 'Ronny Yu's' best film to date. This movie is high speed, action fuelled comedy that will entertain most. I think as Brit flicks go, there are certainly better movies, but for pure entertainment value this film has plenty to offer. And 'oh yes' it's another bad-ass outing for Samuel L. Jackson. If your a Liverpool fan you simply have to see this film - Just to see the scene where Felix (Robert Carlyle) enters a pub full of Manchester United fans to start a little trouble before the game. Definitely Worth Watching 8/10

Elmo McElroy (Samuel L. Jackson), a streetwise American master chemist comes to England to introduce a new drug to the European rave scene. When he finds himself double crossed in the mob's underworld. The only support that MeElroy finds is a rabid local hood Felix DeSouza (Robert Carlyle), who hates all things American. Directed by Ronny Yu (Bride of Chucky, Freddy Vs. Jason) made an enjoyable, trashy, indefensible guilty pleasure. Although there is nothing special about this film unless you love seeing Jackson in a Kilt. The film almost has a scene stealing performance by Emily Mortimer as a Hit-Woman. The movie has an good supporting cast like Sean Pertwee, Rhys Ifans and Meat Loaf. This film was a Box Office Flop but it worth a look for fans of the stars or you are in the mood for wild, tongue in cheek, Hong Kong style action/comedy. Samuel L. Jackson is also one of the executive producers. Original British Title:The 51St State. Super 35. (***/*****).

With lines like "If you get in my way I'll have to shoot ya!" "If you get in my way I'll have to shoot you again!" and "Isn't it the way it always goes, elevator music, n!gga in a kilt, and a woman with a nickel plated nine." it is simply terrific and damn funny. Samuel L. is Elmo McElroy who was a promising pharmacist to be until a mishap forced him to become a chemist for a sadistic drug lord named Lizard (Meatloaf!). Elmo decides he doesn't want to work for him anymore and sets off for Liverpool with his new wonder drug POS 51. He quickly hooks up with a small time gangster named Felix (Robert Carlyle) and a female assassin named Dakota (Emily Mortimer) who is given the assignment of capturing McElroy so the Lizard can have his revenge. The best part of this film is watching the club scenes with the techno rave music which are money and the chemistry between Felix and Dakota they light up the screen. Mortimer is smoking hot I've never seen a British woman so fine in my entire life she's a goddess. I was surprised to find this one to be so good it didn't get much attention when it came to the theatres and it was made like four years ago I don't know why they waited so long to release it. Funny and light hearted it keeps you in your seat and wanting more. One of the best movies I watched this past year.

The 51st State (a.k.a. Formula 51) (2001) is a highly underrated film made by Ronnie Yu. The movie takes place in the U.S. and in Britain. A laid back chemist (Samuel L. Jackson) (who's employed by some shady underground figures) is "hired" to make the perfect drug. But before he can complete the deal, he bails out with the formula and heads off to Britian so he can sell it to a competitor. Whilst in England he runs a foul of all sorts of interesting characters and villains (Emily Mortimer, Robery Carlyle). Meanwhile his former employer (Meatloaf) doesn't like the idea that he was stiffed decides to get the secret formula back and make the chemist's life a living hell. Can the chemist seal the deal and become a rich man? Will his former employer get his hands on him? Is this movie worth watching? You'll have to find out for yourself when you watch The 51st State!! This movie bombed big time in the U.S. Not only did it take forever to be released here but it wasn't in the theaters that long. Ronnie Yu proves once again why he's a great director. If this movie was in the hands of a novice it wouldn't have been as good or enjoyable. David Wu is back as his editor but Peter Pau has moved on to another project. Oh well, two out of three ain't bad. Highly recommended.

Very few action movies actually succeed in being funny, but the witty screenplay of the 51st State will have you laughing throughout the entire film. Sam Jackson proves himself as the coolest man on the planet as he struts across the screen wearing a kilt and acting like a samurai warrior with a golf club instead of a sword. Rhys Ifans, as the over the top Iki, never fails to entertain with his hysterical antics. Robert Carlyle, Ricky Tomlinson, Emily Mortimer, and even Meatloaf form the rest of the cast which never fails to disappoint. The 51st State will take you on a ride through the drug and club world of Liverpool and it is worth the trip!

There`s a very interesting history with this movie . Writer Stel Pavlou sent his unsolicited script to Tim Roth who in turn passed it onto Samuel L Jackson who liked it so much he raised the finance for THE 51ST STATE . When you`ve got a writer who comes up with the simple but flawless idea of sending an actor a script who liked it so much he`ll go out of his way to raise the money for the production that gives hope to all aspiring screenwriter However ... **** MILD SPOILERS **** As much as the story behind the film fills me with joy and hope the film itself isn`t up to much . In fact it`s quite woeful in places and most of it`s down to the script . For example why does Jackson`s character walk around in a kilt ? Why do Manchester United fans travel to Liverpool the day BEFORE the match . Why are a bunch of neo-nazi skinheads after Felix ? That`s because logic and common sense are discarded to set up scenes later on in the movie . To set up a joke about " a black man in a dress " , to set up a superflous scene in a Liverpool bar and to set up a funny joke about " The sh*t is gonna hit the fan " . They`re all throw away scene that don`t push the plot forward , the proper term is " Underdeveloped " a fault of many scripts from inexperienced writers , oh and does anyone care to explain to me why one of the characters likes to wear women`s underware ? No don`t bother " Underdeveloped " script is the reason . I should also point out that Stel`s script is a bit too mid Atlantic for my taste , I mean look at the characters names : Felix Desouza , Dakota Phillips , Virgil Kane , Leopold Durant and Iki . What strange names for a bunch of Scousers . Mind you some scenes did raise a smile like " Okay let him down " and " You said get rid of him " , corny I know but they still raised a smile so credit where it`s due . Just a pity the screenplay wasn`t stronger Director Ronny Yu shouldn`t escape criticism either . His directing style like the script is a bit too disjointed and mid Atlantic for my taste . In fact in some places it`s like a live action cartoon , but the greatest problem is the cast going completely over the top . Sean Pertwee is usually good at playing violent baddies but only when keeping his discipline . Here he looks like he`s doing a really bad Steven Berkoff impression and would have perhaps have brought the film down if the rest of the cast hadn`t given equally bad Steven Berkoff impressions , though to be fair at least Robert Carlyle does a convincing Liverpool accent And on the subject of Carlyle one of my cyber friends called Stephanie ( Ironically who I know from The The web sites - Heartland should have been the theme song to this film for obvious reasons ) told me during a night out with her husband she saw some location filming for a film called DEAD FISH take place . An excited Stephanie asked one of the passing crew what the movie was about and he replied it was a comedy thriller starring Gary Oldman and Robert Carlyle . DEAD FISH - A comedy thriller . So let`s see now . PLUNKETT AND MACLEANE - A period comedy thriller starring Robert Carlyle . RAVENOUS - A black comedy starring Robert Carlyle . THE 51ST STATE - A comedy thriller starring Robert Carlyle and coming soon DEAD FISH - A comedy thriller starring Robert Carlyle . If I was Mr Carlyle I`d start concentrating on doing what he does best and that`s playing violent anti- heroes in memorable dramas otherwise Robert Carlyle might find himself becoming Britain`s answer to Eric Roberts