Release Date:
Friday, October 18, 2002
Since Samuel L. Jackson stars in a movie about once every four months, he doesnt have much to worry about. For the rest of the people associated with the making of this movie, shame on you. An action flick that makes XXX look smart and edgy, Formula 51 cant even cash in on the half-witty dialogue, smash-em-up blueprint for a star-driven vehicle.
When Elmo McElroy (Jackson) takes off to England to distribute his new brand of club drug, he meets his comically mismatched host for the trip, played by the limiest of the limey, Robert Carlyle. (Cue Odd Couple music.) For a movie about club drugs, there arent any hot raver chicks getting it on while their eyes roll to the back of their headsjust a bunch of kilt jokes (McElroy wears it for the entire movie for absolutely no reason). As a chemist, McElroy is a little less badass than were used to with a Samuel L. character; laxatives and golf clubs are his primary weapons. The gargantuan explosions and nu-metal are standard fare, but this movie would have been better off to stick with them. Instead, McElroy wanders around Liverpool trying to sell his drug to a bunch of overacted eccentrics. Meat Loaf rounds out the bland bad boys as McElroys main rival in an annoying performance thats actually fitting for a man who was playing light rock in the 70s. Near-fatal amounts of drugs couldnt make this a formula for success.
When Elmo McElroy (Jackson) takes off to England to distribute his new brand of club drug, he meets his comically mismatched host for the trip, played by the limiest of the limey, Robert Carlyle. (Cue Odd Couple music.) For a movie about club drugs, there arent any hot raver chicks getting it on while their eyes roll to the back of their headsjust a bunch of kilt jokes (McElroy wears it for the entire movie for absolutely no reason). As a chemist, McElroy is a little less badass than were used to with a Samuel L. character; laxatives and golf clubs are his primary weapons. The gargantuan explosions and nu-metal are standard fare, but this movie would have been better off to stick with them. Instead, McElroy wanders around Liverpool trying to sell his drug to a bunch of overacted eccentrics. Meat Loaf rounds out the bland bad boys as McElroys main rival in an annoying performance thats actually fitting for a man who was playing light rock in the 70s. Near-fatal amounts of drugs couldnt make this a formula for success.