RocknRolla (2008)

You never get a good look at the painting everybody in RocknRolla is chasing, and after 114 minutes you won’t miss it. Guy Ritchie is remixing his own back catalog: London crooks, a cursed object, a shady land deal, a dozen nicknames and freeze frames explaining who’s double-crossing whom. It’s slick, and very familiar. The cast is the reason to watch. Mark Strong’s Archy is the calmest man in London, and he narrates like he’s reading a bedtime story to someone who owes him money. Gerard Butler, Idris Elba and a young Tom Hardy make the Wild Bunch feel like actual friends, and a chase with two Russian heavies who will not stay down is the funniest stretch. Toby Kebbell’s rock star stepson is electric whenever he shows up, which isn’t often enough. It made just $5.7 million domestic and $25.7 million worldwide on a reported $18M. A 6.0 because the cast is better than the recipe. $79.88 says you give your friends gangster nicknames by Friday and one of them actually sticks.

What works: Mark Strong’s dry narration and the Wild Bunch’s easy chemistry are a blast, and the Russian chase is legit funny.

What doesn’t: It recycles Guy Ritchie’s earlier crime comedies almost beat for beat, and Toby Kebbell’s best character is missing for long stretches.

Who it’s for: Fans of Guy Ritchie’s London crime capers who want one more round of nicknames, double-crosses and fast talk.