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Snatch
Reviews

From: Fish
Category: Films
Date: 08 March 2001

Review

After much prompting from Ben (who has kindly agreed from the group funds to pay my fees for the time it is taking me to do this "review") I have feel/have been compelled to write my review:

Having decided that 200 words on the straight-to-(wrapped in brown paper bag)-video release of "Seymour Butt's Buttholes are Forever" probably wouldn't provoke any meaningful debate (though it would suggest the possibility of a scat theme night along with Steve's review and group members are welcome to borrow it) I have decided to review instead "Snatch" on DVD watched as recently as Sunday evening.

If anyone doesn't know, this is the follow-up to "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" directed my Madonna's new husband, Guy Ritchie. Both films revolve around the east-end gangster scene (though more scally than Scorcese). Despite being responsible for having spawned a complete sub-genre of universally appaling fims (keeping Ray Winstone in work for the last few years), "Lock, Stock..." is widely acknowledged as having given British cinema its latest bi-annual kick up the rump (see Four Weddings) and for providing GQ, FHM, et al with multiple fashion spreads. Therefore, this film was widely anticipated and has even received an American release.

Having visited the cinema several months ago to watch said film on its release I came out reasonably satisfied that my 1 1/2 hours and £6 had been well-spent - the story had more twists than Chubby Checker, the direction and "mockney" accents create an impression of cool and Vinnie Jones is always good for a laugh. However, on a re-viewing on Sunday night it dawned on me that the film is actually quite average. Everything is based around the plot twists and once you know these the film has very little left to offer on a second viewing. The acting is generally poor especially from the lead, Jason Statham (though he is engaged to Kelly Brooke so maybe he feels his life is now fulfilled) and any film where Vinnie Jones can steal all his scenes has got a lot to answer for. Maybe I had set my standards too high after seeing "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" (highly recommended) last Thursday but I felt the film created no connection with the viewer (even Mission Impossible 2 managed that) as most of the actors aren't given the opportunity to string more than a few words together. The double-DVD package does come stuffed with extras (directors commentary, outtakes, etc.) so for this it should be commended (and possibly explains why it is currently the second best-selling DVD on release) but I don't think this compensates spending £25 on the package.

Hope Ben is now satisfied. Can I please have the details now.

Fish

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