Formula 51 (2002)
- Starring:
- Samuel L. Jackson,
- Robert Carlyle,
- Emily Mortimer,
- Sean Pertwee,
- Ricky Tomlinson,
- Rhys Ifans
- and Meat Loaf
- Directed by:
- Ronny Yu
- Studios:
- Screen Gems
- MPAA Rating: R for strong violence, language, drug content and some sexuality.
- Theatrical Release: October 18, 2002
- DVD Release: February 04, 2003
- Runtime: 92 min.
- Genres:
- Action/Adventure,
- Comedy
- and Crime/Gangster
- Available Formats
Plot: Elmo McElroy (Jackson) got busted 30 years ago for drugs, right after graduating from college with a degree in pharmacology. Now, he’s invented a wonder drug: POS 51, supposedly the best drug ever – and all he has to do is live long enough to sell it.
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Loading ...With Saliva’s “Click Click Boom” playing during the trailer, Samuel L. Jackson, bigger and badder than ever, drives like a maniac and beats someone with a golf club. And that’s just the beginning of this Formula 51.
I was hyped to see this film, since I’ve always been a big fan of high-action thrill rides, and Samuel L. Jackson.
The characters played their parts well. Samuel L. Jackson continues his streak of good performances here, playing Elmo to the hilt, and seeming to love every minute of it. That quality seems to endear him to viewers. He’s so happy about what he’s doing, it shows through, and it’s contagious.
Robert Carlyle, who most people will remember from Trainspotting, plays a similar character here, and shows he hasn’t forgotten anything.
Meat Loaf, always an interesting bit player, adds a bit of a scar to his face, and takes out some of that old anger of his.
The plot was decent. It may be difficult for some people to get into, since it does revolve around a new drug which seems to be typically targeted at teenagers, but the plot is actually much more complicated then it first appears. The plot is wrapped up pretty nicely by the end of the film, with no loose ends left hanging, and leaves the audience with a decent feeling.
There are a few over-gratuitous action sequences, but that’s to be expected in this type of action comedy. They don’t overdo it much, so it doesn’t become preposterous, just fun to watch.
The special effects are all very well done. The explosions, car chases and gun fights are all very well choreographed, and are filmed great. There’s enough mayhem to satisfy any fan of the genre, and no glaring errors.
Samuel L. Jackson seemingly can’t go wrong. Even a film that portrays him as a big-time drug chemist (not the most popular of characters) combines a decent storyline, good characters, and some fun special effects to create yet another success.
Formula 51 is just what you’re looking for if you’re searching for an action comedy.
Popularity: 28% [?]
Popularity: 28% [?]
- Widescreen
- Animated Menus
- Scene Access
- Cinemax Special
- Theatrical Trailer
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- Changing Lanes (2002)
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- Men In Black II (2002)
- Minority Report (2002)
