It’s been 25 years since the premiere of ‘Lock & Stock’, the first feature film directed by Guy Ritchie. His career has not been exactly constant, as there are unforgettable titles and others whose existence would almost be better to ignore, but taking advantage of the launch in Spain of ‘Operacion Fortune: The Great Hoax’ we wanted to review all his films from worst to best.
The following list reflects my personal opinions on the 13 feature films directed by Ritchie to date and should not be taken as an absolute truth about all the works of the popular British filmmaker, so I invite you to share your impressions in the comments. Without more to add, let’s go with it:
13) ‘Swept Away’ (‘Swept Away’, 2002)
Director: Guy Ritchie. Department: Madonna, Adriano Giannini, Bruce Greenwood, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Elizabeth Banks
An incomprehensible turn in the director’s career beyond wanting to offer something to show off Madonna, his real-life partner at the time. The problem is that this remake of an Italian film from 1974 is a disaster at all levels, since at no time is it very clear about what it wants to be and it does so without ever finding a particular charm in how strange it is in general lines. . In addition, its two protagonists are hateful. Insurmountable.
12) ‘Revolver’ (2005)
Direccion: Guy Ritchie. Reparto: Jason Statham, Ray Liotta, Vincent Pastore, Andre Benjamin, Mark Strong, Terrence Maynard, Francesca Annis
A very disappointing attempt to return to the style of his first films but looking to give it a deeper and, in its own way, surprising touch. After a curious start, the only thing it offers are small isolated notes with some interest -Mark Strong ‘s character is perhaps his greatest achievement- in a set that gives the sensation of losing direction and wanting to put many ideas under pressure at the same time. . That makes one arrive exhausted at the end.
11) ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ (‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’, 2011)
Direccion: Guy Ritchie. Reparto: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Eddie Marsan, Rachel McAdams
The second installments always have the challenge of demonstrating that the first was not a coincidence and of taking everything one step further. Here they try but as a pastime it has less charm than its predecessor and when it comes to proposing a mystery that engages it becomes more complicated than necessary and becomes a bit heavy.
10) ‘Aladdin’ (2019)
Address : Guy Ritchie. Cast : Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, Billy Magnussen
There aren’t many real-image updates to Disney’s animated classics that justify their existence beyond their undeniable commercial hook, and the one at hand here isn’t one of them. Of course, it’s not one of the worst either and at least it makes some effort not to be a mere soulless copy of the 1992 film. The problem is that it doesn’t work out too well.
9) ‘King Arthur: The Legend of Excalibur’ (‘King Arthur: The Legend of the Sword’, 2017)
Address: Guy Ritchie. Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Djimon Hounsou, Aidan Gillen, Jude Law, Eric Bana
It is a pity that the last act is a disaster, because before Ritchie gives shape to an entertaining rereading of the legend with a modern touch. A bit as if he breathed some life into what could have been just a generic blockbuster, since it’s precisely his behind-the-scenes presence that helps give it a certain charm. However, the positive ends up weighing more than the negative in memory.
8) ‘RocknRolla’ (2008)
Direccion: Guy Ritchie. Reparto: Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandiwe Newton, Mark Strong, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Toby Kebbell, Jeremy Piven, Chris Bridges
After the fiasco with ‘Revolver’, Ritchie opted to get even closer to the style of his first two films but with a less inspired result. Perhaps calling it generic is a bit of an exaggeration as it is clearly noticeable who is behind it, but it does turn out to be somewhat watered down within those parameters. That if, she is entertaining despite her mistakes.
7) ‘Sherlock Holmes’ (2009)
Direccion: Guy Ritchie. Reparto: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Kelly Reilly, Eddie Marsan
An effective attempt to modernize the mythical character but without bringing it up to date. With a good job by Ritchie behind the cameras, the music by Hans Zimmer and the great chemistry shared by some inspired Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law as the main assets, we are facing a rather fun blockbuster, one of those that you are glad to have seen. although they are not memorable either.
6) ‘Operation Fortune: The Great Deception’ (‘Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre’, 2023)
Direccion: Guy Ritchie. Reparto: Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone, Hugh Grant
A charming hobby that comes to apply the formula of his first works in a somewhat easier to digest way. Driven by its fun protagonists, a hilarious Aubrey Plaza shining with its own light , it is true that perhaps it loses some steam in its final stretch, but at all times it complies as entertainment that while exhibiting a certain personality in general lines can also give the feeling of being a little more of the same from Ritchie.
5) ‘Operation UNCLE’ (‘The Man From UNCLE’, 2015)
Direccion: Guy Ritchie. Reparto: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Jared Harris, Hugh Grant
A stylish update of a mythical television series from the 60s that allows everyone involved to have a great time, from a Ritchie perhaps unleashed too much in the direction to his cast, highlighting the work of his leading trio, especially a Henry Cavill who has never been as funny as here, but also watch out for the good work of a now disgraced Armie Hammer.
4) ‘The Gentlemen: The Lords of the Mafia’ (2019)
Direccion: Guy Ritchie. Reparto: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Perhaps too safe a bet in terms of structure and style, but the renewed cast helped bring it quite close to the level of his first two films, although it was also vital that Ritchie not settle for being some kind of reproduction of his beginnings. . Especially delighted I ended the character of Colin Farrell, to the point that I would love a spin-off of it.
3) ‘Snatch. Pigs and Diamonds’ (2000)
Direction: Guy Ritchie. Cast: Benicio del Toro, Dennis Farina, Vinnie Jones, Brad Pitt, Rade Serbedzija, Jason Statham
Probably Richie’s most mythical film, in which he applied the same formula as his debut film -an unmistakable mix of thriller, violence, a multitude of connected characters, sarcastic humor and vibrant rhythm- but with many more means and with the great claim of Brad Pitt in one of the leading roles. Zero surprises if she is the favorite of many, but in my case perhaps I have her a little more worn than the two that I placed above, but the truth is that I place them all at practically the same level. By the way, the television adaptation released many years later was not bad either.
2) ‘Awaken the fury’ (‘Wrath of Man’, 2021)
Direction: Guy Ritchie. Cast: Jason Statham, Holt McCallany, Jeffrey Donovan, Josh Hartnett, Laz Alonso, Raul Castillo, DeObia Oparei, Eddie Marsan, Scott Eastwood, Niamh Algar
A thriller that is much more contained than usual by Ritchie, which does not mean that it does not mean that it displays an enviable precision work in terms of staging, both in calmer moments and when violence explodes in the scene. final leg. All of this always thinking more of it as an action movie at the service of Jason Statham, who here has at his disposal much more stimulating material than usual in his already long filmography and takes advantage of it to fully squeeze the undeniable charisma of him
1) ‘Lock & Stock’ (‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’, 1998)
Direccion: Guy Ritchie. Reparto: Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran, Jason Statham, Steven Mackintosh, Vinnie Jones, Sting
A wonderful letter of introduction in which the main obsessions of its director are already present. It is true that it may lack debugging certain details, but on the other hand, it has a unique energy to give shape to a first-rate hooliganism that also knows how to convey to the viewer a story that is more complex than it appears in a way that quickly engages and does not let you down. release until the final credit titles appear.
