Although he is now one of the biggest action movie stars on the planet,Jason Statham’s acting career had somewhat humble beginnings, 26 years ago. Before he became the face offranchises likeThe TransporterandThe Expendables, Stathammade his debut alongside a slew of other up-and-coming stars in Guy Ritchie’s gangster flick,Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. At the time, the movie was heralded as a ground-breaking moment in British cinema, with Ritchie’s storytelling, cinematography, and kinetic direction earning praise. However, times have changed.
Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrelsis available to rent on Apple TV+.
SinceLock, Stockpremiered in 1998, the careers of everyone involved – as well as the industry as a whole – have moved on. Things that felt fresh and progressive now perhaps feel outmoded – in some cases, thanks to over-exposure from Guy Ritchie himself. While there’s no doubt thatsome things aboutLock, Stockhave aged badly, the film remains an important landmark. That said, rewatching the movie in 2024 reveals some uncomfortable truths about a production that many consider to be a cult classic.
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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 performances 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 movies making over $2 billion globally. However, while his roles in these projects have a certain consistency, many of them arguably lack the variety he displays inLock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.
When the group robs Dog’s gang of thieves, Statham is genuinely menacing – demonstrating a versatility that explains his later career success.
As Bacon, Statham sets the tone for the film. As part of the central quartet of friends who set the story in motion with their plan to cash in at a criminal card game, he displays great comic timing and exudes charm. However,the movie also contains hints of the threat he would carry in later roles. When the group robs Dog’s gang of thieves, Statham is genuinely menacing – demonstrating a versatility that explains his later career success.
9Guy Ritchie Has Never Really Moved Past Lock, Stock
He Keeps Returning To The Same Themes
Part of the reason forLock, Stock’s success was that its use of overlapping stories, distorted timelines, and expanded cast felt daring and original. It also cemented Guy Ritchie as one to watch in the industry. However, as innovative as the movie felt on release, the harsh 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 shared cast members to story similarities), but later Guy Ritchie projects have similarly failed to escapeLock, Stock’s shadow. Lowlights likeRevolverandRocknRollawere both criticized for being derivative of his earlier work, while even later successes likeThe Gentlemenshare clear similarities. In a way,Lock, Stockcontinues to define him, more than two decades on.
8Jason Statham Needs More Non-Action Roles
Lock, Stock Displays His Potential Range
From Jason Statham’s perspective, one of the most surprising things aboutLock, Stockis the relative absence of action. Although there is no shortage of violence,the movie lacks the spectacular set piecesthat would define 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 fast-talking hustler, Statham exudes on-screen charisma, without having to resort to improbable physical feats. Beyond this, he is also very funny, delivering lines with a wry sense of humor that is reminiscent of his work inSpy, Jason Statham’s best-rated movie to date. While his emphasis on action has clearly paid dividends, it’s evident fromLock, Stockthat he has many more strings to his bow.
7There Are Way More Cameos Than You Remember
Famous Faces In Surprising Places
One of the defining features ofLock, Stockis its expansive cast. Even if you haven’t seen the film for a while, it’s likely that your overriding memory is of multiple overlapping storylines involving a multitude of main players. However, rewatching the movie in 2024 reveals that, beyond the major protagonists, there is a wealth of famous faces who slip under the radar.
The bestLock, Stock, and Two SmokingBarrelscameos include the likes of Sting(who plays Eddie’s dad, JD), comedian Rob Brydon (the traffic warden), and Alan Ford (who memorably played the main antagonist inSnatch). Beyond these performances, there are also roles for real-life underworld figures, such as the boxer and bouncer Lenny McLean. All this makesLock, Stockincredibly cameo-heavy, alongside its extensive ensemble.
6There Are Too Many Characters In Lock, Stock
It’s Difficult To Become Too Invested In Any Single Story
Even discounting the number of cameos,Lock, Stockarguably has one of the most stacked main casts on record. Beyond the four friends who ostensibly form the crux of the story, there is “Hatchet” Harry Lonsdale and his associates, Winston and his team of marijuana dealers, Dog and the gang of thieves, Rory Breaker and his crew, as well as standalone players like Big Chris and Nick the Greek.
The variety of characters allowsLock, Stockto paint a colorful portrait of London’s criminal underworld. However, it also has a negative effect on the story. It becomes difficult to empathize too closely with any one storyline,since characterization is inevitably cut short by competing priorities. Even though it’s a hallmark of the movie, the sad truth is that many of these figures would benefit from more time in the spotlight.
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5Lock, Stock Glamorizes Crime
It’s An Uncomfortable Portrayal Of The Gangster Lifestyle
Toeing the line between entertainment and exhalation is a difficult balance for any gangster movie. Some genre masterpieces, like Martin Scorsese’sGoodfellas, do a fantastic job of highlighting how a life of crime can be both seductive and destructive. Unfortunately, it’s clear 26 years on thatLock, Stockfalls short of asking difficult questions about the life it portrays.
There are very few serious consequences for any of the protagonists, and even the villains are played for laughs rather than anything genuinely threatening.
The movie consistently makes crime – whether it’s associated with drug dealing, gambling, or violence – not only seem like a potential solution to personal problems, but also incredibly fun. There are very few serious consequences for any of the protagonists, and even the villains are played for laughs rather than anything genuinely threatening. The entire story is portrayed as a romp, rather than a misadventure involving dangerous and extremely unpleasant people – an uncomfortable reality for fans to accept.
4Lock, Stock’s Humor Has Aged Badly
Many Jokes Don’t Land With Modern Audiences
Following from the film’s glamorization of violence is the puerile and occasionally offensive humor that permeates the story. As crime movies likeIn Brugeshave proven, scabrous dialog can be both entertaining and informative. InLock, Stock, however,many of the jokes seem, on reflection, slightly infantile.
For example, the homophobic way 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 toy and another character being killed by his own Bren gun makes Brad Pitt’s comedy accent inSnatchseem like a masterclass in subtle, understated comedy. As such, many ofLock, Stock’s more explicitly comic aspects no longer work.
3Lock, Stock’s Story Is Not As Clever As You Remember It
The Overlapping Stories Aren’t Particularly Original
At the time of its release,Lock, Stock’s pairing of intertwining narratives and a London setting made it stand out in a stale gangster genre. The supposed complexity of its storytelling won particular plaudits, with many critics highlighting the satisfying way in which all the various plot threads finally came together. However, while there is still a certain 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 similarities 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, paved the way forLock, Stock, its narrative approach feels markedly less impressive.
The Rest Of The Cast Didn’t Capitalize In The Same Way
AsJason Statham’s movie debut,Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrelswill always hold an important place in cinema history. However, while Statham used the film to catapult himself to international success, it’s perhaps surprising that other co-stars failed to capitalize.
While Vinnie Jones, Dexter Fletcher, Jason Flemyng, and Steven Mackintosh have all enjoyed impressive acting careers,none of them have enjoyed the same breakout success as Statham. In fact, Statham is beyond question the biggest name to have featured inLock, Stock, even though other cast members were, at that point, more well-established. 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 performance, Ritchie’s signature style, and the impact the movie made on release,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 example of a British gangster movie.
BeforeLock, Stock, critical hits likeThe Long Good Fridayoffer a much more comprehensive look at the complexities of the criminal underworld. Post-Lock, Stock, films likeLayer Cakemanage to blend comedy and crime in a more subtle and compelling way. Even Guy Ritchie’s ownSnatcharguably offers a more polished spin on the same formula.Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrelsmay be a quintessentialJason Stathammovie, but it is not flawless.
