The Film
RocknRolla isa Guy Ritchie film, from beginning to end. There is a despicable crime boss, a crew of low-lifes with hearts of gold, secondary thugs and a variety of other characters who live on the fringe of London's crime world. This time around add a double-dealing accountant, Russian gangsters looking to make their mark in London, a rock star who is playing dead to help his sales and a snitch that has brought down many of the aforementioned characters. In traditional Guy Ritchie fashion all this blends together with a wonderfully crafted intertwining story that manages to leave you guessing to the bitter end.
The Picture
First things first, it is supposed to look that way. Since Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Ritchie has mastered the art of giving his films a washed out, and slightly muted look. And while RocknRolla uses the effect a little less, it is there just enough to remind you that this is a return to this visual style after his previous outing with Revolver. The 2.40:1 widescreen presentation on Blu-ray therefore doesn't have the most color popping scenes, but the images are crystal clear.
The Sound
Ritchie's films rely heavily on music to set the mood, while his dialog has a bit of snap to it. On the Blu-ray this is also as crystal clear as the picture, while the few action-packed sequences practically explode out of the speakers. The Dolby TrueHD audio track will immerse you into this world of sex, thugs and rock n' rollas.
The Extras
This is one of those films that really needs more than one viewing to take everything in, and the extras, which include an inside look at the film, help provide a bit more insight on this interesting world. Likewise, a featurette on London shows how the city has become very much more than just the setting of Ritchie's gangster films, and this illustrates how the ever-changing city still serves as his preferred backdrop. Both of these featurettes are presented in HD, and further rounding out the extras is a commentary track with Ritchie and co-star Mark Strong, as well as a few additional scenes.
Final Thoughts
If writer/director Guy Ritchie was a bit off his game with Revolver, we can probably blame that on his having to deal with Madonna too much. But RocknRolla marks his return to what he does best, complex yet not complicated gangster films with a variety of interwowen stories and colorful characters. It is a formula he manages to have down so well that when done right, it doesn't feel too formulaic.
Where to Buy
Product Details
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